Border Force Officer - International Trade
Home Office
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 7th October 2024
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About the job
Job summary
Please note – If you are applying for a shift working role you must be over 18 and entitled to UK citizenship to apply.
The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter terrorism, organised crime, modern slavery, trafficking, drugs policy immigration, and passport control.
We are Border Force, a Law Enforcement arm of the Home Office with primary responsibility for UK Border Security.
We are responsible for handling the UK Border Controls by implementing Immigration and Customs rules and regulations whilst working within the Home Office.
UK Border Force currently has six operational regions- Central, Europe, Heathrow, North, South, Southeast. These regions have responsibility for securing the border 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at the UK’s 140 seaports, airports, 200+ general aviation ports, postal depots, Inland Border Facilities and international rail networks.
This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a team that both protects and enhances the UK economy. Our work is varied and rewarding, attracting people from all backgrounds and walks of life.
As a Border Force Officer specialising in International Trade, you will belong to an ever-evolving function which ensures the UK is open for business, trade and commerce. Day to day you will be investigating a range of goods, ensuring compliance with a range of International Trade legislation such as Intellectual Property and Customer Safety laws, while collecting any unpaid taxes from goods either being imported or exported to and from the UK.
Job description
The role our Officers perform is dynamic, fast paced and always evolving. As a Border Force Officer in International Trade, you will play a pivotal role in facilitating the legitimate movement of goods to/from the United Kingdom at some of the busiest ports in the world. Our work can be challenging, but there will always be your team to support you throughout your career, not just the start. The part you play will be fundamental in both enhancing the UK’s reputation as a place to do business and protecting our public and domestic markets by preventing the importation of prohibited or restricted goods.
International Trade includes a wide range of systems and functions that work in tandem to provide the world class border that the public expects. Whilst primarily focussed on commodities and freight, our International Trade Officers also lead on the UK’s commitment to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, investigation of Intellectual Property Rights infringements (counterfeit goods) and work closely with partner agencies to help deliver the UK’s trade strategy.
The work you will perform has a tangible impact on boosting UK prosperity by collecting revenue owed at the border, closing the tax gap and supporting the integrity of the economy.
Our operational activity is intelligence-driven, with searches for undeclared and mis-declared goods. ensuring that imported/exported goods are declared, validated and the relevant taxes have been correctly applied.
Further searches for prohibited counterfeit or restricted goods (such as drugs, firearms, weapons, cash, tobacco and alcohol) may also form part of your role as you undertake International Trade work.
As a Border Force Officer in International Trade, you may be involved in the following types of activity:
- Operating customs controls at points of import/export to the UK, checking goods and consignments have the correct permissions and documentation across a range of International Trade/Customs regimes.
- Identifying and searching goods and vehicles to establish if a customs offence has been committed.
- Engaging with consignees, undertaking investigations, and making decisions on whether imports/exports can proceed or require further investigation.
- Undertaking post detection actions in respect of any irregularities found.
- Liaising with and managing enquiries from trade companies, other government departments and port operators to support and facilitate a smooth border crossing, ensuring goods can be processed promptly.
- Using law enforcement powers to arrest people, detain and seize goods involved in border offences, preserving evidence and liaising with other law enforcement partners.
For more information about working for Border Force and to hear from some of our colleagues, please visit our careers website at Border Force - Home Office Careers.
For information on the specific locations and wording patterns being offered please follow this link:
https://www.homeofficejobs-sscl.co.uk/bf-vacancies.html
Working for the Home Office
There’s no one type of person working at the Home Office. Just like in wider society, everyone here is different. We believe that different backgrounds, perspectives, and voices add up to richer, fuller thinking that helps us deliver fairer, better outcomes.
We’re committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people can bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.
We are particularly keen to welcome applications from women and those from an ethnic minority background who are currently underrepresented in Border Force.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
Due to the work we do and where we do it, Border Force teams can operate in sometimes difficult and dynamic environments. These are public facing law enforcement roles where the work is often fast-paced and changeable - our officers need to respond to challenges in a calm and professional manner.
You will receive full role-specific and personal safety training and you will have the support of a team (see below for further information).
Successful candidates will need to demonstrate:
- The professional behaviours and personal integrity associated with a law enforcement organisation. This means acting ethically and with integrity, being able to take difficult decisions when they are needed, always doing the right thing, being impartial and honest.
- Demonstrable interpersonal, communication and relationship building skills and you enjoy working as part of a team.
- A genuine interest in people, an inquisitive, open mind and empathetic manner.
- The ability to be flexible, adaptable, and creative in solving problems and dealing with changing situations.
- The ability to confidently manage potentially difficult and challenging situations.
- Leadership potential or demonstrated leadership ability – this means role modelling professional behaviours, maintaining standards, making well-judged decisions, being motivated, adaptable to change and clear in your communication.
- An objective and analytical approach. Able to gather information from multiple sources, make a reasoned assessment and justify the resulting recommendation.
UK Driving Licence Requirement
Due to the nature of the work and/or the geographical area, driving may be a key requirement for this role. Please visit:
https://www.homeofficejobs-sscl.co.uk/bf-vacancies.html to establish if a driving licence is an essential requirement in your preferred location.
Working patterns
For more information regarding the working patterns in the various locations please visit:
https://www.homeofficejobs-sscl.co.uk/bf-vacancies.html
Eligibility
You must be at least 18 years of age at the time of submitting your application for shift-based roles. You will be required to work between 22.00 and 06.00, so this is a legal requirement. For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/night-working-hours
Home Office applicants with a live attendance management warning are not eligible to apply for vacancies during the initial 3-month improvement (live warning) period; however, they can apply for posts during the following 9 month sustained improvement period.
To establish if shift working is relevant to the role you are interested in applying for, please visit: https://www.homeofficejobs-sscl.co.uk/bf-vacancies.html
For more information on multiple assignments, outside activity of Civil Servants, training and the security checks required, please visit: https://www.homeofficejobs-sscl.co.uk/bf-vacancies.html
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- Some of these roles attract Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of between 19.81% and 44.28% dependant on shift and location, which equates to an additional £5,546 - £12,398. Please visit:
https://www.homeofficejobs-sscl.co.uk/bf-vacancies.html for full details of the AHA for your chosen location and working pattern. Further information can be found on our website.
For more information on our wide range of benefits, please see Benefits page of our website.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), across the recruitment process. To assess your full capability and potential we will use a blended approach of profiles across Ability, Experience and Strengths. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
For further information about the role and how to apply, please visit the Home Office Campaign microsite:
https://www.homeofficejobs-sscl.co.uk/bf-vacancies.html
Problems during the application process
If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you’ve made a mistake on an initial application, please contact ho-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com at least two working days before the vacancy closes.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : HO-Recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com or visit the microsite for a live chat option on https://www.homeofficejobs-sscl.co.uk/bf-vacancies.html
- Email : HO-Recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
Recruitment team
- Email : ho-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
