UKVI Compliance Assistant

University of Glasgow; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution in Glasgow seeks a UK Visas and Immigration Advisor. You will be the first point of contact for UKVI-related queries and must maintain rigorous compliance with immigration policies. The ideal candidate has specific experience in HR or immigration roles and an understanding of UKVI legislation. A supportive work culture with excellent benefits is provided, including generous leave and a commitment to health and wellbeing.

Benefits

41 days of leave for full time staff

Pension and benefits packages

Flexible working arrangements

Free UofG Sport membership for new staff

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a similar HR or Immigration role.
• Up-to-date knowledge of UKVI legislation best practices.
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice on UKVI policies and procedures to staff.
• Ensure compliance with visa processing and updates.
• Maintain accurate electronic files for UKVI documentation.
• Statistical reporting for stakeholders on HR issues.

Skills

Excellent verbal communication

Attention to detail

Good organisational skills

Knowledge of UKVI policy

Analytical skills

Education

Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 7

Certificate in HR Practice or relevant HR degree

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

HR/Payroll information system

UKVI SMS system

Job description

Job Purpose

To provide a professional, client focused service on matters relating to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) duties. Responsible for planning, coordination, liaison, and administrative implementation of all UKVI related activities and initiatives.

Responsibilities

• As first point of contact provide advice and guidance on the content and application of UKVI policy, legislation, and procedures. To liaise and collaborate with members of staff at all levels (face to face, by telephone or in writing) and provide detailed and accessible advice on matters relating to the University’s UKVI process and compliance requirements to resolve any issues of concern and generally provide appropriate guidance and support to all parties ensuring a consistently high level of service. Ensure that any UKVI enquiries are responded to appropriately and in a timely manner.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge and understanding of policies, issues and legislation relating to staff immigration categories to be able to provide information as appropriate.
• Ensure timely processing of all relevant UKVI related employee lifecycle requirements, ensuring process is managed and the Core / HR Payroll System updated and accurately reflects visa expiry / renewal dates. Ensure that where necessary, the Home Office is notified of any contractual changes in a timely manner.
• Liaise with the relevant P&OD Teams as necessary to ensure visa processing by UKVI Hub in advance of expiry and to support resolution of any immigration issues arising in liaison with relevant managers and employees.
• Identify matters requiring senior input. Provide background info, briefing, recommend action, draft responses for approval to enable timely processing.
• Responsibility as Level 1 user of the Home Office’s Sponsor Management System (SMS).
• Maintain accurate electronic files conforming to Data Protection / GDPR and Home Office requirements/guidelines. Ensure information retrievable and properly maintained.
• Statistical work e.g. HR system reports for various stakeholders including responsibility for producing reports and actioning as appropriate.
• Develop excellent working knowledge of Core / HR Payroll System in support of visa compliance.
• Day-to-day ensure high standard of general administrative assistance for UKVI Hub.
• Assist Head of Strategic Global Mobility & Academic Resourcing and UKVI Compliance Manager in establishing and monitoring appropriate policies and procedures relating to immigration and visas.
• Maintain effective network with P&OD teams across University to support delivery of P&OD function and share best practice.
• Any other duties that fall within area of the post as allocated by line manager following consultation with post holder.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential

• A1 Either: Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar role. Or Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 7 (Advanced Higher / Scottish Vocational Qualification level 3, Higher National Certificate) or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role.
• A2 Up to date working knowledge of UKVI legislation and best practice.

Desirable

• B1 Knowledge of University policies and procedures, legislation, best practice, custom and practice, terms and conditions of employment and service standards.
• B2 Certificate in HR Practice and / or working towards achievement of CIPD membership through ongoing professional development or completion of relevant HR degree qualification.

Skills Essential

• C1 Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills - demonstrable tact, diplomacy, discretion, assertiveness and ability to handle difficult or sensitive situations or people.
• C2 Good standard of written English, with ability to draft correspondence, notes of meetings and reports and engage professionally with client group in this regard in a manner which enhances team reputation.
• C3 Flexible, solution-driven, customer orientated approach to service delivery.
• C4 Excellent attention to detail.
• C5 Good time-management and organisation skills with the ability to prioritise a diverse and busy workload and to work around Manager's requirements while still undertaking own work.
• C6 Good knowledge of and ability to clearly communicate, verbally and in writing UKVI policy, legislation, procedures and processes to a diverse client group.
• C7 High level of initiative and decision making ability / judgement with regard to resolving issues and determining appropriate action.
• C8 Analytical with high levels of numeracy, accuracy, and attention to detail, particularly in managing contractual and financial documentation and related IT applications.
• C9 Ability to work effectively and supportively within a small team.

Experience Essential

• E1 Experience of personal development and delivery in a similar HR or Immigration role.
• E2 Experience of dealing effectively with a wide range of customers and staff at all levels in an organisation, using initiative and judgement to proactively resolve HR Immigration issues.
• E3 Experience of extracting, manipulating and analysing data.
• E4 Experience of using an HR / Payroll information system.
• E5 Experience of using Microsoft packages e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint in the workplace.

Experience Desirable

• F1 Experience of working within a further or higher education setting.
• F2 Experience of using UKVI SMS system.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 5, £25,138 - £29,605 per annum. This post is full time (35 hours p / w) and open-ended.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

Benefits

• A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
• An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension, benefits and discount packages.
• A flexible approach to working.
• A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University. We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embed all aspects of equality and diversity within our communityhere. We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.