Department: Student & Academic Services - Advice and Counselling Service
Salary: £38,084 to £44,807 per annum (Grade 5)
Location: Mile End
Closing date: 25-Nov-2019

Overview:

The Advice and Counselling Service is a multidisciplinary student support service offering counselling and psychological support, psychiatry clinics, welfare advice, financial advice and immigration advice.

The service currently employs 25 staff equating to approximately 20 FTE. There are three staff teams: counselling team, welfare advice team and frontline services team. This role is part of the welfare advice team, working alongside four Welfare Advisers and an International Student Adviser, and is line managed by the Welfare Advice Manager.

The purpose of the role is to provide a professional and specialist advice and advocacy service to international applicants and students in relation to immigration, practical, financial, legal and welfare issues that may inhibit their enrolment, academic engagement, progression, attainment, well-being or student experience. The main strand of advice work relates to Tier 4. The role also includes interpreting existing and new legislation, regulations and guidance affecting international students, especially under the UKVI Points Based System, in order to inform the work of the welfare advice team, other colleagues and Queen Mary processes as appropriate.

Substantial experience of providing professional and confidential one to one specialist Tier 4 immigration advice, casework and advocacy services to clients is essential, as is substantial experience of working with international students.  Other essential requirements include a thorough working knowledge of UK immigration law as it relates to prospective students, students, graduates and their dependants and a thorough working knowledge of the range of issues and regulations affecting international students studying in HE in the UK.

The role also involves providing guidance to EU, EEA and Swiss students around their residency rights and requirements during the process of the UK leaving the EU, and beyond. However we would consider applicants without prior experience of this as long as they would be willing to develop their skills in this area if appointed.

The post is full time (35 hours per week) and is a permanent appointment. Benefits include 30 days annual leave, defined benefit pension scheme and interest-free season ticket loan.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. Where required this may include entry clearance or continued leave to remain under the Points Based Immigration Scheme.

Essential:  Applicants must provide a written personal statement which fully addresses how they meet the knowledge, skills and experience set out in the job profile. Applicants who fail to do this will not be considered.

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Lizzy Pollard, Welfare Advice Manager at l.pollard@qmul.ac.uk or on +44 (0) 020 7882 8717.

Details about the Advice and Counselling Service can be found at www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk

To apply for the role, please click the ‘apply’ button below.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Monday 25 November 2019. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 3 December, so applicants are strongly encouraged to keep this date free in advance as we may not be able to notify candidates that you have been selected for interview until Thursday 28 November.

Valuing Diversity & Committed to Equality