Student Immigration Administrator (

Job Number:

24002219)

Student and Academic Services Directorate

Grade 4: – £24,044 – £25,433 per annum

Open-Ended/Permanent – Full Time

Contracted Hours per Week: 35

Working Arrangements: Hybrid working: up to 3 days per week, work from home. Minimum 2 days working in the office.

Closing Date

: 21-Jan-2025, 11:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable. 

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer. 

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? – Durham University

The Role and the Department

The Student Immigration and Funding Service (SIFS) works with internal colleagues and external partners to provide high quality advice and support relating to immigration legislation and financial support for both undergraduate and postgraduate students and applicants. The immigration services provided by SIFS include:

• Provision of Student immigration advice to students, academic and professional services staff.
• Right to study checks for all students subject to immigration regulation.
• Monitoring of academic engagement for Student visa holders.
• Use of UKVI’s Sponsor Management System (SMS) to report changes to student circumstance.
• Provision of Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for continuing students.
• Right to work checks for Student visa holders being employed at the University.

The Service is part of the Student & Academic Services Directorate (SASD). The Directorate provides a professional administrative support service to University staff, students and applicants. The Academic Registrar is the head of the Directorate and is responsible to the Vice Provost for its management. The following services fall under the SASD’s remit:

• Access and Engagement
• Curriculum, Learning and Assessment
• Recruitment and Admissions
• Student Immigration and Funding
• Student Registry

All of these services are based at either the Palatine Centre or Mountjoy Centre in Durham City.

Working at Durham 

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• We offer generous pension schemes.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. 

As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. 

What you need to demonstrate when you apply

To be considered for this role, here are the skills/experience we’re looking for:

Qualifications/Experience

1. Five GCSE’s at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or equivalent experience.

2. Experience of working in a busy office environment delivering front line administrative services or having relevant qualifications for the role.

3. Experience of managing time to meet deadlines and working under pressure without compromising on quality.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

4. Good spoken and written communication skills.

5. Good digital skills including experience in using digital devices and apps including Microsoft 365.

6. Committed to continuing professional development.

7. Ability to solve problems and resolve straightforward issues yourself and as part of a team.

8. Ability to provide information, guidance to a range of colleagues and customers.

Desirable Criteria

1. Knowledge of the international student sector.

2. Experience of working in the University sector.

3. Experience of using UKVI systems.

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. 

Submitting your application 

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails 

What you are required to submit:

• A CV
• A covering letter which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification

Contact details 

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Mona Saleh (Student Immigration Assistant Manager) would be happy to speak to you. m.t.saleh@durham.ac.uk 

Typical Role Requirements

Here are the kind of activities that you’ll be asked to undertake and ways in which you’ll be expected to operate.

Service Delivery

• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
• Provide an excellent and timely service to our students, colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Use your experience and problem-solving skills to resolve routine issues with things relevant to your role such as issuing CAS and completing right to study checks and provide information and updates to help your team find solutions.
• Ensure high levels of immigration compliance to protect and maintain the University’s UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) Student Licence.
• Draft and issue CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) to Durham University students who wish to extend their Student visa.
• Provide reception cover on a rota basis to signpost students to sources of advice provided across the University. It is expected that this duty will be 1 day per working week, although this could increase at peak times.
• Support the right to study process, ie: checking the immigration documents of non-UK nationals to ensure that they have the correct type and duration of visa to study at the University.
• Carry out employment checks for those on a Student visa who have secured an offer to work at the University, ensuring that they do not work over the permitted number of hours of employment as stipulated by UKVI.
• Administer ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) documentation. This includes recording ATAS certificates, updating the student record and escalating cases where applicable ATAS documentation is not present.
• Support in the administration of UKVI’s academic engagement requirements, contacting students who have been identified as needing support/re-engagement and withdrawing UKVI sponsorship for those who have failed to meet academic engagement requirements.
• Use the UKVI’s Sponsor Management System (SMS) to report change in student’s circumstances in a timely manner.
• Use the Account Management Portal (AMP) to liaise with UKVI on a regular basis to support visa compliance.
• Provide excellent customer service by answering student requests in a timely manner.
• Stay up to date with key changes to the UK immigration rules which may impact on your work.

Teamwork

• Resolve queries and respond to requests for information and bring any complex issues to the attention of more experienced team members.
• Help your team organise and provide administrative services that support key activities undertaken within your service and contribute to team planning activities.

Communication/Liaison

• Record information respond to queries which you receive.
• Liaise with relevant colleagues and members of SIFS to ensure that services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way.
• Provide support for meetings, working groups and committees, such preparing and sending documents for meetings, drafting reports and taking minutes.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Useful links

If you would like further information you may find the following will help

https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/arrivals/visa-and-immigration-requirements-on-arrival/contact-us/

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices – Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. 

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

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