***THIS JOB VACANCY HAS NOW CLOSED***
Our aim at AFF is to give Army families a voice. We listen to what they have to say and provide information and guidance that supports all aspects of family life – both in the UK and overseas. And, as an independent charity, we work hard to make sure that the voice of Army families is heard by policy makers and service providers. If you have a keen interest in the quality of life of Army families and are looking for a flexible role, we would love to receive your application.
About the role
This role offers the opportunity to join AFF’s Foreign & Commonwealth team, who provide qualified and expert immigration advice to non-UK Army families.
Working within this small team, the Foreign & Commonwealth Assistant’s primary role would be to increase AFF’s engagement with the non-UK community. The role would identify the most effective way to communicate with non-UK families to ensure that they are aware of the latest immigration information and the support AFF’s Foreign & Commonwealth team can offer them.
Along with the other assistants, the role would also provide support to Army non-UK families by being their first point of contact with queries relating to immigration and ensure that the more complex enquiries are referred to the Foreign & Commonwealth Specialist for support.
They will also support non-UK families in accessing immigration information by ensuring that the Foreign & Commonwealth pages of our website are kept up-to-date.
Given the expert nature of the support provided, the successful candidate will be required to study for and complete the Office of Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) Level 1 accreditation. (Study can be completed on AFF time and training, supervision and examination costs would be borne by AFF.)
The post is full-time (35 hours a week, five days a week) and a home-based role (UK only). All staff are required to attend staff training, usually held in South East England twice a year, involving overnight stays and travel.
This post is a fixed-term three-year contract due to the role being funded by a specific grant from an external funder to support our work with non-UK families over the next three years. There is no guarantee that the post will continue beyond March 2025.
The annual salary will be £21,000 and would increase to £23,000 on successful completion of the OISC Level 1 qualification, which the staff member would need to complete within an agreed timeframe and maintain to retain the higher rate of pay.
Unfortunately, due to the difficulties obtaining employer’s liability insurance overseas, it is not possible to offer this role to a candidate not based in the UK.
What we are looking for
The successful candidate will have a willingness to learn, given the requirement to study for the OISC Level 1 accreditation.
They will have an understanding of the impact of Service life on Army families and a keen interest in the welfare and quality of life of Army families, particularly non-UK families.
They will be confident helping families with their immigration enquiries, with first-rate listening skills and the ability to provide clear information and advice. They will be skilled in prioritising their workload and using their time effectively to be able to manage multiple enquiries or areas of work. Given this is a home-based role, they will be self-motivated and able to use their initiative to undertake work.
We would welcome candidates who have knowledge and understanding of the issues that affect non-UK families and who are effective team players.
A full list of the skills and experience we are looking for can be found in the Job Description.
AFF encourages applications from all sections of the community.
For further information, please download the following:
- Foreign & Commonwealth Assistant Job Description
- Important Information for Applicants
- Application Form (completed form to be returned in Word format)
Any enquiries about the vacancy can be directed to Tracy Connolly (HR Administrator) via email recruitment@aff.org.uk
Closing, interview and start dates
- Applications should be submitted by midnight on Thursday 24 February.
- Shortlisted candidates will be notified by close of play on Wednesday 2 March.
- Interviews will take place on Tuesday 8 March via Microsoft Teams.
- The start date for this post is as soon as possible.
