Immigration Liaison Officer at Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO)

Main purpose of job:

• To detect and prevent the abuse of passport applications, and identify and disrupt the activity of the organised crime groups behind it.
• Develop operational intelligence products through the collection, interpretation and evaluation of relevant quantitative and qualitative information sources.
• Work closely with HMG partners at post, host authorities and international partners to support the development of intelligence and investigations to disrupt organised crime groups.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

Investigation: Individual case working investigations as tasked by HMPO

Crime:  Using collaborative working with overseas and UK law enforcement partners develop intelligence and investigations to disrupt organised crime groups targeting the UK.

Intelligence gathering and analysis: Develop operational intelligence products through the collection, interpretation and evaluation of relevant quantitative and qualitative information sources. Strong problem solving skills are required to identify and investigate suspected organised immigration crime and to  gather evidence-based intelligence. Ensure that all relevant intelligence is gathered, assessed and disseminated in line with guidance.

• Liaison: Build effective working relationships with host authorities, International partners
• (FCC/EU) and UK partners to support the delivery of crime and intelligence objectives. Lead the
• exchange of actionable intelligence with local law enforcement partners and counterparts in other diplomatic missions to identify and mitigate threats to the UK border. Representing the Home Office professionally, developing effective partnerships with the wider Embassy and with key
• external partners.

What we do:

Immigration Enforcement International (IEI) operates to prevent illegal immigration and disrupt the organised immigration crime groups behind it, supporting both the Immigration Enforcement mission and the Home Office purpose. We have staff deployed to approximately 53 locations across the world.

We deliver this by:

• Providing intelligence support to the visa operation, supporting UKVI to take an increasingly global approach to risk streaming built on the analysis of objective data and enhanced with local risk indicators
• Working with carriers around the world to reduce the threat of inadequately documented arrivals (IDAs) reaching the UK by air
• Developing intelligence packages related to the visa or air threat for subsequent criminal investigations and prosecutions

What we want from you?

ILOs need to have excellent people skills that they can use strategically to build relationships with key partners to assist Immigration Enforcement in delivering it’s objectives. Face to face work is a fundamental part of the job, as is the delivery of training, so the successful candidate should be prepared to do some public speaking.

The role of ILO is extremely varied. The challenge with all IEI work is to deliver both the reactive elements such as air calls and requests for support from visa section, as well as the the pro-active  elements such as intelligence research and liaison with stakeholders. As such ILOs need be able to manage very challenging workloads, deliver at pace and be flexible in support of business aims. Once up to speed in the role the successful candidate should be able to work towards objectives with minimal supervision.

The role necessitates travel for liaison, training, site visits and meetings. Most of this can be done in a day but some overnight stays will be required. The successful candidate will also be required to attend training in the UK, most likely for a duration of 1-3 weeks.

Working for IEI is fantastic, as much as for the development opportunities it offers as the actual experience of delivering our objectives which can be hugely satisfying. Above all we want you to be keen and to enjoy your work, so that you will find working for IEI as rewarding as we do.

• A UK passport holder
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• A high level of written and spoken English with the ability to write high quality reports and briefings.
• Strong organisational and time management skill.
• An ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision is essential.
• Previous immigration, law enforcement and/or analytical or investigation experience would be an advantage.