Vice Consul

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

The British Consulate General in Antalya is part of a world-wide network representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking for a Vice Consul for the Consular section.

Main Purpose of Job:

• To deliver the consular strategy in Turkey through; providing consular assistance to distressed British nationals within the Consular districts of Antalya and Izmir; preparing for and responding to crises; managing the consular team at the Consulate in Izmir and Vice Consulate in Antalya.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide assistance to distressed British nationals within the Consular districts of Antalya and Izmir (with Aydin), including hospital and prison visits; performing vulnerability assessments; and ensuring the correct course of action is taken in each individual case in line with Consular guidance;
• Develop and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with all external Consular stakeholders in the Consular districts of Antalya and Izmir (and Aydin) to support the protection of British nationals in Turkey;
• Ensure the Consulates in Antalya and Izmir are prepared to respond to any emergency or crisis and maintain up to date information for the Turkey Crisis Management Plan;
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Consulates in Antalya and Izmir and provide a range of fee bearing services and frontline consular assistance to British nationals within the scope of the Consular strategy, in line with Consular guidance;
• Understand, lead on and effectively implement changes in working practises in the Consulates in Antalya and Izmir, promote and develop projects and outreach activities in line with the Consular strategy;
• Work with the corporate services teams in Ankara and Istanbul to ensure that the Consulates in Antalya and Izmir are fit for purpose, secure and provide appropriate customer facilities for consular customers;
• Ensure all returns, including reports, accounts and management information data are completed accurately and submitted by the due date and reviewed monthly to improve Consular section performance;
• Direct line management responsibility for 4 Consular Officers ensuring annual appraisals and personal development plans are completed on time and within the Civil Service Competency framework;
• Effective communication and collaboration with colleagues in the Turkey Consular Network, also at regional level and within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other civil service departments.

Essential qualifications and experience

• Proficiency in written and spoken English;
• Good in written and spoken Turkish;
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications;
• Willingness to travel (at least once per month to Ankara) and to work out of hours and travel at short notice if required;
• Consular, customer service or tourist industry experience;
• Management experience;
• Driving license.

Other benefits and conditions of employment:

All applicants should have permission to live in Turkey. Applicants must hold UK passport valid for at least 12 months.

The successful candidate will be subject to professional background checks and security clearance and a probation period of 2 months.

This is a full-time, permanent position for 5 working days per week.

The annual salary for this position is 105,070.24 TL gross annual, B3 level. Please note that staff members are responsible for paying any income tax required by local law.

Staff recruited locally by the British Consulate General in Antalya are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Turkish employment law.

British Diplomatic Missions are equal opportunities employers, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. We are committed to developing a learning organisation that enhances business performance, maximises our staff’s potential and encourages staff innovation and development.