International Coordinator (Advice & Guidance) - Academic Services - 48828 - Band 500

Position Details

Academic Services

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £23,699 to £25,458 with potential progression once in post to £29,471

Band 500

Full Time

Permanent

Closing date - 8th August 2021

The post holder will work within the International Student Team (IST) and be part of a team focussed on the continuous development and promotion of an exciting, dynamic and innovative service to the University and its students. This post is part of a team that deals with the provision of a broad range of support to staff and students at the University of Birmingham. Given statutory implications, the primary purpose of the post is to ensure that the University and its international applicants/students remain compliant with Student Sponsor Duties and Immigration Rules.

Working as part of the wider IST team you will support in the delivery of a range of immigration and compliance advisory matters together with general non-specialist advice and guidance to staff and students. You will be involved in the delivery of staff and student information workshops and training events, and will have responsibility for individual projects. Whether the post is located within Training and Compliance (T&C) or Advice and Guidance (A&G), the post holder will carry out the relevant activities for that function. All International Co-ordinators are expected to carry out general administrative duties and casework. The post holder will play a key role in the delivery of activities during the academic year including right to study events, International Welcome and IST workshops/training events.

The post-holder will proactively participate in enhancing and developing a positive 'Birmingham Experience'. The following constitutes the major activities of this role but is not a comprehensive list of the duties required.

General Duties

• As part of the team, take responsibility for proactively maintaining a high level of knowledge about Immigration Rules and Compliance duties and take responsibility for complex administrative processes, ensuring that all casework and compliance activities are in accordance with Student Sponsor duties and immigration rules;
• Use a high degree of diagnostic skill to carry out triage duties and identify important or urgent issues and ensure that they are dealt with or escalated in an appropriate and timely manner;
• Take a proactive role in the provision of advice, training and support to staff in the University by assisting in interpreting immigration rules and Student Guidance to ensure compliance with UKVI statutory requirements;
• Work in accordance with IST and Institutional standards and in accordance with the law;
• Proactively provide communications to staff and students relating to Student Sponsor duties and applicable Immigration Rules e.g. drafting and editing literature, web/intranet and other relevant information;
• Undertaking casework;
• Maintain and monitor operational spreadsheets and produce reports;
• Take an active role in building and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external contacts;
• Support in the delivery of core IST activities including International Welcome, visa checking, right to study checks, BRP collections, visa assessment/application processes;
• Proactively contribute to the continuous improvement of all processes and procedures to support the efficiency and effectiveness of the IST;
• Represent the University at internal and external events as agreed by your Line Manager;
• Work with colleagues to achieve aims and objectives; be self-motivated with the ability to work flexibly under pressure including, but not restricted to, peak periods, Welcome and Right to Study;
• Undertake such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by Head of Service and Deputy Director of Student Services;
• Undertake continuous personal and professional development;
• Conduct financial and Health & Safety duties in line with statutory and University's policies and procedures.
• Work in accordance with the University's Equal Opportunities Policy;
• Support equality and value diversity, including: (a) challenging bias prejudice and intolerance if appropriate or bring it to the attention of a manager; (b) moderate own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others.

Specific to Advice and Guidance (A&G)

• Proactively carry out and manage case work and advice/guidance using knowledge of the UKVI Immigration Rules and Guidance and the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) codes at Level 1 with the expectation that the post holder will develop an understanding and knowledge of OISC Levels 2 and 3;
• Work in a manner which ensures compliance with the University's Student Sponsor Licence;
• Support the A&G service in the day-to-day operational planning, administration and delivery of a wide-ranging, high-quality, advice and guidance service, supporting international applicants, visitors and students at pre-arrival, on course/arrival and at departure;
• Act as a point of contact for specialist visa advice and guidance to applicants, students, staff and external agencies and provide accurate and appropriate information and support;
• Proactively support in the development, implementation and delivery of projects;
• Create spreadsheets, record data and produce regular reports as required using a range of systems specific to the activities of the A&G Team.

Person Specification

• Educated to A Level or hold an equivalent professional qualification and have significant experience in a similar role or be able to demonstrate substantial relevant experience such that the tasks outlined in the job description can be carried out effectively.
• Demonstrable and up-to-date working knowledge of UK Visas and Immigration rules, particularly in relation to students;
• Demonstrable experience of meeting operational requirements, with excellent planning and organisational skills;
• Experience in coordinating office-based activity would be an advantage;
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral), able to present information clearly and explain complex issues to a range of audiences with varying levels of understanding;
• Excellent attention to detail;
• Experience of working in a customer focused environment and delivering exceptional customer service;
• Sound analytical, creative and pragmatic problem solving skills with a high level of professional judgement, diplomacy, cultural awareness, sensitivity;
• Demonstrate a high level of computer literacy, with knowledge and familiarity with MS Office packages including MS Excel;
• A constructive team player demonstrating an ability to prioritise, work collaboratively as part of a team or on own initiative and deal with conflicting pressures to tight deadlines and have attention to detail;
• Flexibility and willingness to work extended hours and at weekends to meet the needs of, but not restricted to, events such as International Welcome/Registration;
• Evidence of ability to work through to a solution with resilience and persistence;
• An understanding of what equality and diversity is and why it is important, including an ability to learn about relevant policies and procedures relating to equality and diversity;
• An ability to identify equality and diversity issues and either address these or bring them to the attention of a manager.

Informal enquiries regarding this role can be made to Nazia Shamahoon - n.shamahoon@bham.ac.uk