CANDIDATE BRIEF

Overview of the Role

Using your excellent knowledge and expertise of student education and/or compliance practices and processes, you will have responsibility for supporting the University’s student immigration compliance team with sponsor requirements for the recruitment and support of international students. 

With experience of working in an administrative role and providing support for University practices and processes, you will have excellent communication skills and the ability to identify and suggest improvements to the service provided. 

You will be well organised, with excellent attention to detail and a flexible approach to work. You will be able to multi-task and move flexibly between tasks within the Service at short notice to meet deadlines. 

You will work collaboratively with team members and with the rest of the directorates to share good practice and encourage knowledge exchange between colleagues to facilitate continuous improvement.

Main duties and responsibilities 

As a Student Education Service Officer your main duties will include:  

• Monitoring changes in student status and submitting reports to UKVI via the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) within the specified timeframes; 
• Assign CAS extensions for taught students 
• Communicating with students regarding changes to status and updating their records in line with the above reporting to UKVI; 
• Keeping up to date with institutional and UKVI compliance developments and supporting their timely adoption within the service and wider University; 
• Working effectively and collaboratively with the wider team on a day-to-day basis to ensure compliance with student visa sponsorship requirements.
• Responsibility for carrying out identity checks and issuing biometric identity documents to international students arriving in Leeds for the first time and those extending their immigration permission; 
• Responsibility for the administration of permits from UK visas and immigration (UKVI) to ensure the highest standards of compliance with UKVI requirements, which includes logging receipt of permits, maintenance of accurate records and producing reports; 
• Responding to standard and raised queries or concerns from students regarding their permits and resolving complex queries through interpreting guidance or escalating where appropriate; 
• Preparing and maintaining readiness for an institutional audit by UKVI or the University’s auditors; 
• Co-ordinating a programme of audits and accurate spot-checks of compliance activity, developing and maintaining processes and training documentation as required;
• Co-ordinating a rolling programme of inspection of international student records and undertaking scanning of student ID for compliance purposes; 
• Ensuring documentation is stored and handled confidentially following strict protocols in relation to data protection;
• Contributing to the continuous improvement of processes, ensuring they are consistently and effectively implemented.

These duties provide a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive list. Other reasonable duties may be required consistent with the grade of the post.

Qualifications and skills

Essential 

• Ability and commitment to provide a high level of customer service, demonstrable experience in a customer service environment, competency in handling difficult enquiries/situations and enthusiasm in supporting student education practices and processes (or equivalent)
• Strong judgment and initiative with the ability to effectively interpret and apply policies and procedures, understand and solve problems, and make suggestions for improvements; 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to produce written documentation for varying purposes and audiences and clearly articulate complex information, modifying your approach to suit different audiences 
• Excellent organisational skills including the ability to handle large volumes of data with accuracy and attention to detail and the ability to flexibly prioritise jobs and work under pressure in order to meet tight deadlines
• The ability to work effectively in a team environment by collaborating, supporting and valuing the contribution of colleagues and developing good working relationships with people at all levels
• Excellent IT skills, including knowledge of Banner, Argos, (or equivalent), Microsoft Office apps, including Access, Excel and SharePoint, and experience of working with confidential information

Desirable 

• Evidence of an awareness of Student Immigration compliance requirements in the HE sector
• Experience of working in a further or higher education setting
• Experience of developing new processes and procedures 
• Experience of participating in network

Additional Information

Career Expectations 

The University of Leeds is committed to developing its staff. All staff participates in the Staff Review and Development scheme and we continue to work with individuals, supporting them to maximise their potential. 

Progression to a higher grade is dependent on an individual taking on an increased level of responsibility. Vacancies that arise within the area or across the wider University are advertised on the HR website - http://jobs.leeds.ac.uk - to allow staff to apply for wider career development opportunities. 

University Values 

All staff are expected to operate in line with the University’s values and standards, which work as an integral part of our strategy and set out the principles of how we work together. More information about the University’s strategy and values is available at http://www.leeds.ac.uk/comms/strategy/.

Working at Leeds 

We are a campus based community and regular interaction with campus is an expectation of all roles in line with academic and service needs and the requirements of the role.  We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements. To find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Leeds area visit our Working at Leeds information page. 

Our University  

At the University of Leeds, we are committed to providing a culture of inclusion, respect and equity of opportunity that attracts, supports, and retains the best students and staff from all backgrounds.  Whatever role we recruit for we are always striving to increase the diversity of our community, which each individual helps enrich and cultivate.  We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community; people who identify as LGBT+; and disabled people.  We have identified that women are currently underrepresented in this role and particularly welcome applications. Candidates will always be selected based on merit and ability. 

Information for disabled candidates

Information for disabled candidates, impairments or health conditions, including requesting alternative formats, can be found on our Accessibility information page or by getting in touch with us at hr@leeds.ac.uk

Criminal Records

A criminal record check is not required for this position. However, all applicants will be required to declare if they have any ‘unspent’ criminal offences, including those pending.