BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION INDIA

LE JOB SPECIFICATION

Job Title (including Visa Support Assistant - UK Border Agency

Dept):
Post: BDHC - Chennai

Grade of Job: A1/LE IV – (4 Positions)

Start Date Immediate Contract length: 2 years (renewable)

FORWARD JOB DESCRIPTION (FJD)/JOB SPECIFICATION

Main purpose of job:
As an integral part of the UK Border Agency overseas arm, the Visa Support Assistant will provide
clerical support to the Entry Clearance operation in order to achieve Internal and External Customer
Standard targets. The VSA will ensure personal targets are met on a daily basis and enhance
delivery through self-development and sharing best practice.
Provide a breakdown of your main duties and responsibilities, and the percentage of your time they
occupy:
Type of work Duties & responsibilities % of time
Delivering Results Data checking 85%
Document verification
Assisting in visa writing and passport despatch;
Linking correspondence with relevant records;
File management
Collating statistics and ensuring data is accurately
recorded.
Complete tasks competently, accurately and on time.
Solve problems within own area of responsibility.

Communicating Communicate clearly and effectively with customers, 10%

colleagues and team members.
Handling of telephone and email enquiries.
Writing effectively and assisting with correspondence,
drafting and report writing; providing information clearly
and concisely.
Learning and Open and flexible approach to new ideas, drawing on 5%
Development skills and experience to Contribute to improvements in
working practices.
Make the most of opportunities for self-development and
job related training.
Take an interest in issues concerning the office and
share knowledge with others.

Working with Others Work effectively and supportively with colleagues, both Included as
individually and in teams. part of
Treat everyone with consideration and respect, Delivering
regardless of work pressure. Results
Contribute to effective team working and morale when
the opportunity arises.
Demonstrate willingness to be flexible and support
colleagues when they are under pressure.

Line Managers and Incumbents: Please give a brief description of the job as an aid to Selection
Board decisions. Please include any developmental opportunities it offers.
An administrative position, involving a wide range of aspects of support work and delivery within the
Visa Section. The position requires flexibility and provides an opportunity for mandatory training in a
 number of areas; Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act, Child Protection, Equality and
Diversity and ongoing development of other soft skills, to be identified with the job holder.

Resources managed - staff and expenditure:

None

1. Key competences required for the job (the four most important):
Essential Useful
Communicating
Delivering Results
Learning & Development
Working with Others

2. Specific specialised knowledge, qualifications or experience required for this job.

• Essential on arrival:
Good communicators with a good knowledge of spoken and written English.
• IT literate with experience in using Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Ability to demonstrate a typing speed of at least 40 words per minute.
• Fluency in Tamil, Malayalam and/or Telugu would be particularly beneficial (but not mandatory)

Useful training/guidance given once in job:

Use of Proviso (UKBA visa management system), Protecting Information and Equality & Diversity
courses, a thorough Induction process to include job specific training, mentoring and familiarisation
across the wider office of the British Deputy High Commission.

3. Other job-related or local special factors not mentioned above, including any requirement
for special security clearances:
Security Clearance Level required: Local security verification checks, as per Office Policy
Other: none

4. Language: English

Level of language skill essential for the job:

Confidence:
Operational:
Extensive:

For Operational and Extensive levels, which language skills are essential? Please tick all boxes
that apply. (NB: Confidence Level only tests oral skills.)

Oral Listening Reading Writing Translation

Language: Tamil, Telugu or Malayalam

Level of language skill essential for the job:

Confidence:
Operational:
Extensive:

For Operational and Extensive levels, which language skills are essential? Please tick all boxes
that apply. (NB: Confidence Level only tests oral skills.)

Oral Listening Reading Writing Translation

5. The vast majority of jobs are suitable for job-share or flexible working. Describe here how
such arrangements could work for this position. Where this is not possible, clear and
robust justification must be provided

Huge volumes of applications received daily, the logistics of the entry clearance operation,
applications used to deliver processes and the nature of security implications at post will
not allow us to effectively manage job-share or flexible working for this position.

6. Eligibility: Internal candidate who have completed their probation period are eligible to
apply.

7. Starting Salary: Rs 20,187/- - Rs 31,632/- per month; together with a benefits package
which includes 12% Provident Fund and 6% Special Allowance. The successful candidate
will be provided with 21 days annual leave and in addition study, maternity/paternity and
special leave as per the Terms & Conditions of Service. The package also entitles the
incumbent to become a member of a medical benefits scheme that will include medical
expenses and hospitalisation cover for self, partner and children.

8. To apply:
• Please note applications without (a) and (b) will not be considered.
(a) Complete the Job Application Form
(b) Attach Statement of Suitability not more then 300 words

We will accept only online applications. Please quote "Visa Support Assistant - UK
Border Agency, Chennai" in the subject line and send to recruit.NewDelhi@fco.gov.uk
by Wednesday, 5th January 2011 midnight 2400 hrs.

• Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly
abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no telephone enquires will be
dealt with.
• The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including
references, educational and professional.

We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual
orientation, religion, belief or creed. We are also open to applications from people who
want to work flexibly.