Compliance Officer

Salary: £29,605 to £30,487 with progression to £32,982 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 28 April 2024

The Role

Newcastle University is seeking a highly motivated Student Visa Compliance Officer to join its Visa Support Team for a 12-month fixed term post.

As part of an experienced team in the Student Progress Service, you will take the lead in ensuring that student immigration compliance tasks are carried out efficiently and accurately. Your tasks will include managing the verification of financial documents for University applicants, as well as the co-ordination of specific notifications to UK Visas and Immigration. An understanding of UK Visas and Immigration right to study requirements would be desirable.

You will assist the Student Visa Compliance Manager with the co-ordination and management of key compliance tasks within the Visa Support Team (Compliance). 

The main role will be that of a specialist, taking the lead in verifying specific financial documents submitted by International applicants, as well as the co-ordination of routine student immigration compliance activities, in line with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) sponsor guidance. 

This full-time post will be based on the Newcastle campus. The University offers blended working arrangements. Some weekend working may be required at busy times.

This post would be suitable as a secondment opportunity for an existing Newcastle University employee subject to approval being granted by your current line manager.

Interviews are expected to be held week beginning 6 May 2024 

For further information about the role, contact Tracey Aston, Student Visa Compliance Manager, on 0191 208 7319, [email protected]  

Key Accountabilities

• To lead on the verification of financial documents for compliance purposes and prevention of fraudulent applications for study, as directed by the Student Visa Compliance Manager
• To manage the reporting of timely notifications to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) through the UKVI Sponsor Management System in accordance with UKVI guidance for submission of International student change of circumstances
• To support the Visa Support Team’s ‘right to study’ operations to ensure that student immigration records are accurate and up-to-date, as required by UKVI
• To support the Visa Support Team in the development of new systems to support the roll-out of digital right to study operations
• To support the Visa Support Team in identifying errors with student visas and providing appropriate sign posting to students to resolve issues
• To assist the Visa Support Team in maintaining accurate web-based information for students in relation to student immigration compliance
• To respond to enquiries from students and staff in a timely, sensitive and informed manner
• To assist, as required, with any other Visa Support Team or Student Progress activities

The Person 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

• Knowledge of UKVI Student Sponsorship requirements
• Experience of using Corporate databases, such as SAP Student Lifecycle Management
• Experience of using UKVI’s Sponsor Management System
• Excellent IT skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Numerate and able to analyse and manipulate data

Attributes and Behaviour

• Ability to work under pressure on a range of time sensitive tasks
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
• Ability to work accurately with meticulous attention to detail
• An analytical and logical approach to complex situations
• Able to use initiative and to adopt an active approach to problem solving
• Friendly and professional approach to dealing with enquiries from both staff and students.
• Creative and confident approach to communicating complex issues

Qualifications

• Educated to ‘A’ Level or experience in an equivalent post

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are aDisability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 26940