Main purpose of job:

The British Consulate-General in New York has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and detail-oriented person to join our busy Consular Team as Pro Consul.  Reporting to the Vice Consul in New York, but with occasional travel across the region, the successful applicant will play a key role in consular service delivery, stakeholder management and prevention activities, as well as making an effective contribution to the wider Consular regional team and the Americas Consular Network.  

The main purpose of the role is to provide consular assistance to British nationals in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Fairfield County in Connecticut, in accordance with current guidelines. You will issue Emergency Travel Documents, maintaining close relationships with key stakeholders. You will provide support and advice to our citizens, including speaking with/visiting British nationals in prison/hospital, providing advice and assistance to homeless people and those suffering from mental health issues, providing support to family members following bereavement, child abductions or custody matters, and providing advice and assistance to victims of crime including rape or sexual assault victims. You will also play a key role in the Consulate’s crisis preparedness and response.

This opportunity is a rewarding role, which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US, working in a public-facing role providing consular assistance to British nationals who need our help. 

The British Consulate-General promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance. In this role, you would be working in a diverse international environment side-by-side with UK diplomats, other country-based staff, US law enforcement and support agencies.

The ideal candidate will be a resilient team player, with sound judgement, strong attention to detail and the ability to juggle competing priorities under pressure.  They will have strong communication skills, both written and oral.  They should have an understanding of working for Government and a background in supporting distressed customers.  

Roles and responsibilities:

• Printing Emergency Travel Documents, managing appointments and working to resolve complex applications.
• Providing consular assistance in accordance with current guidelines, including visiting British nationals in hospital or jail, providing support to family members following bereavement, a child abduction or custody matter, and providing advice and assistance following a rape or sexual assault.
• Maintaining case files on the corporate database and managing them to a satisfactory conclusion.
• Maintaining close links with local authorities including, but not limited to law enforcement, correctional facilities, medical examiners, hospitals, morgues, mental health facilities and airlines.
• Contributing to the wider work of crisis preparedness and response.
• Any other duties as assigned, including participating in call-out arrangements for emergency cases out-of-hours in exceptional circumstances.

• 3+ years of relevant work experience including working with the public (preferably to include previous consular or Government experience).
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to communicate at all levels.
• Ability to handle sensitive consular cases and distressed customers in a calm, professional manner, managing expectations and seeking further guidance where appropriate.
• Superior problem-solving skills, sound judgement, attention to detail and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Ability to prioritise, effectively manage, and execute multiple tasks at once.
• A good knowledge of multi-cultural Britain, its language, and geography.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and use of online databases.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Legal status to live and work in the US in your own right, from time of application.

Please note: Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents, A and NATO visa holders with EAD cards, and L2 visa holders with an up-to-date I-94 form. You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.