Job summary
The Home Office works to build a safe, fair, and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counterterrorism, policing, fire, crime, nationality, and immigration policy.
The Illegal Migration Intake Unit (IMIU) is part of the Illegal Migration Operations Command (IMOC) within the Migration and Borders Group in the Home Office.
IMIU consists of the Kent Intake Unit in Dover and Folkestone; the Manston Intake Unit in Ramsgate, the Midlands Intake Unit within Yarl�s Wood Immigration Removals Centre; the Belfast Intake Unit, the Remote Operations Hub in Heathrow, and the Intake Response Team which is a national function providing critical support to all of IMIU. A People and Planning team provides corporate enablement to the operation.�
IMIU is currently made up of over 850 officers (increasing to ,100) and is responsible for processing those arriving in the UK illegally, including those arriving by small boats or concealed in lorries. The Belfast Intake Unit also processes those already in-country who seek to claim asylum.�
Job description
This is a new position created to head up the IMIU Operations in the South which includes the Kent Intake Unit in Dover and Folkestone and the Intake Response Team (a mobile unit) in the South. You will be reporting to the PB1 Head of the Illegal Migration Intake Unit.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion at the Home Office. We are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.�
We encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. We particularly welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, as they are currently under-represented in the Home Office at this grade level. Appointments will be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition.
This is an excellent opportunity to undertake a very high profile, fast paced senior leadership role within a complex and politically sensitive operation.�
KIU Dover, which is part of IMIU, is a specialist unit, responsible for processing vulnerable unaccompanied children arriving in Kent by small boats and in lorries. KIU is also responsible for undertaking initial age assessments of all those arriving in Kent who are claiming to be children. Dover is a short-term holding facility, where those assessed as children or age disputed (requiring a full Local Authority assessment) are processed, prior to Kent County Council (KCC) collecting them for their placement in the community. KIU Folkestone is a short-term holding facility, where adults detected in Kent arriving in the UK clandestinely are processed by KIU officers.
The IRT South is part of a large mobile unit responsible for dealing with a variety of IMIU workstreams including referrals from Immigration Enforcement to attend police stations to process asylum claims from those in police custody and for acting as surge capacity for small boat arrivals in Kent when KIU and Manston operations require support.
Person specification
The main duties of the post include (but are not limited to):
� � �Leading, motivating, developing and supporting a large 24/7/365 frontline uniformed operational team ( FTE) in the South region, within a time-critical, demanding, highly pressurised and high-profile environment
� � �Working with a wide range of partners (such as Border Force, Immigration Enforcement and Asylum Support, Resettlement and Accommodation) and external stakeholders (such as Kent County Council, Police and other enforcement bodies) to ensure the effective and efficient processing of persons arriving illegally in the UK
� � �Working with NGOs and contractors to ensure the safety and welfare of unaccompanied children in the KIU, including oversight of a team of social workers who support the work of the team and ensure the needs of children are met whilst they are in the care of KIU
� � �Developing age assessment capability across the team to ensure consistent standards and quality controls are in place and that age assessments stand up to scrutiny and are policy compliant
� � �Setting clear direction, prioritisation and governance for teams to operate within, to ensure IMIU activities and sites are fully compliant with legislation and policy, including on immigration detention time limits
� � �Line managing and supporting a team of operational G7s (Assistant Directors) to maximise the capability of the unit by ensuring clear development plans are in place and skills gaps are addressed, with a particular focus on enhancing leadership capability at CIO-G7 level
� � �Building a culture focused on the wellbeing, engagement and development of IMIU colleagues
� � �Developing, implementing, and maintaining robust quality assurance protocols for both data and processing tasks
� � �Ensuring all resource is fully utilised to deliver optimum performance and outputs, and that processing capacity can meet demand; ensuring contingency plans are developed and implemented where resourcing falls short of requirements
� � �Implementing new systems, processes and policies to operationalise the Illegal Migration Act; supporting the Government�s priority to deter illegal migration to the UK
� � �Being an engaged and proactive member of the IMIU Senior Leadership Team, ensuring contributions towards shared objectives
� � �Budget management responsibility, ensuring value for money for the taxpayer; driving efficiencies by adopting continuous improvement principles and adherence to financial management protocols
� � �Being part of an on-call rota with the IMIU SLT, covering a 7-day period for out of hours phone calls and emails (evenings and weekends), once every several weeks
This is a demanding role that requires strong leadership presence in the operation, therefore the post is only suitable to full time workers (not part time or compressed hours) who can be office based in Dover or Folkestone for at least 60% of the week.
Due to this being a 24/7 operation, candidates will be required to participate in an on-call IMIU SLT rota and be available to cover the rota for 7 days, responding to urgent operational telephone calls and joining meetings out of standard office hours.
Travel will be expected to other IMIU locations. T&S is payable in line with current guidance.�
The vacancy is advertised on a voluntary transfer basis only.�
DBS clearance required.
Essential Criteria
You will need:�
� � �Experience of leading large teams in a demanding operational environment
� � �Experience of delivering results under time constraints and pressure
� � �Must have experience of building and maintaining great working relationships with internal and external partners
� � �Evidence of thinking creatively to problem solve
� � �To manage conflicting priorities whilst having a good awareness of political sensitivities
� � �The ability to see the bigger picture when making difficult decisions
Desirable Criteria
� � �Borders and Enforcement experience would be beneficial but not essential
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
1. Seeing the Big Picture
2. Communicating and Influencing
3. Leadership
4. Managing a Quality Service
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
5. Seeing the Big Picture
Benefits
6. Learning and development tailored to your role
7. An environment with flexible working options
8. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
9. A with an average employer contribution of 27%