Border Force Higher Officer - International Trade

Border Force Higher Officer - International Trade

Salary - £37,300 - £39,911

Location - Southampton

Currently there is no Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) payable at this location

A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.

Licences

Due to the nature of the work and/or the geographical area, driving is a key requirement for these roles. It is essential for applicants to hold a full valid UK manual or automatic driving licence

Job description

The role of our Higher Officers (HOs) is fast-paced, exciting, varied, and highly rewarding. As a Higher Officer in International Trade, you will play a crucial role in maintaining the security of the UK border while ensuring the efficient clearance of goods from all over the world.

You will be responsible for managing a busy International Trade team, ensuring that shifts run smoothly, and operational priorities are met. As the first point of escalation, you will engage with a diverse range of people, including direct contact with members of the public, other law enforcement bodies, and key external partners.

International Trade Teams are responsible for facilitating the movement of legitimate imported and exported goods, collecting any unpaid taxes as appropriate.

An exciting and challenging role, although primarily office-based there is an element of outdoor working which includes physical examinations at Ports, Wharfs and at temporary warehouses for prohibited or restricted items. This may include drugs, firearms, tobacco, alcohol, endangered plants or animals. You may also be involved in the detection and investigation of Intellectual Property Rights infringements (counterfeit goods).

As part of this dynamic team, the work you perform will have a tangible impact on the UK’s prosperity through the collection of revenue owed at the border, closing the tax gap and supporting the integrity of the economy.

The Higher Officer grade is mobile, offering the possibility of moving between regional commands and working across various sites within the region based on changing priorities.

Border Force South Region

Gatwick Airport is the largest and busiest port located within Border Force South Region. The region covers aviation and maritime locations and, as well as Gatwick, is also responsible for securing the border at South Wales, and around South-West England.

Key Responsibilities

• Dynamic Leadership: Manage the busy day-to-day International Trade operation at a number of locations, prioritising and allocating resources swiftly to maintain border security. Collaborate with Higher Officer counterparts and the Duty Senior Officer as needed.
• Critical Decision-Making: Manage the selection and examination of goods, authorising the seizure of prohibited and restricted items.
• Expert Guidance: Take referrals from your teams and advise on the admissibility of arriving goods to determine if Customs offences have been committed.
• Live Case Management: Handle live operational cases, including, seizures, arrests and authority for searches of persons.
• Team Collaboration: Work independently or as part of a small team to run a busy operational International Trade shift, ensuring professional and efficient delivery of services to the trade and public.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Liaise with and manage enquiries from trade, agents, other government departments and port operators to support and facilitate a smooth border crossing, ensuring goods can be processed promptly.
• Leadership and Development: Lead a law enforcement team, undertaking line management responsibilities to ensure wellbeing, learning and development, performance, and discipline matters are addressed appropriately.
• Professional Integrity: Demonstrate the professional behaviours and personal integrity associated with a customer-focused law enforcement organisation. This includes acting ethically as a civil servant, making difficult decisions when needed, always doing the right thing, and being impartial and honest.

Meet the team

Border Force Higher Officer - Recruitment Webinar

Event L:isting

Are you interested in joining Border Force and want to learn more about our current vacancies? Then this session is for you!

Join us for the opportunity to hear from officers about their experience of working for Border Force. We will provide an overview of the current vacancies available and take you through the assessment process.

The session will include a Q&A to help you consider whether a potential career with Border Force is for you.

Book your place now – we look forward to welcoming you.

Monday 23 June 12:00 – 13:00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/border-force-higher-officer-recruitment-webinar-tickets-1383994186869?aff=oddtdtcreator

or

Tuesday 24 June 19:00 – 20:00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/border-force-higher-officer-recruitment-webinar-tickets-1384008660159?aff=oddtdtcreator

Essential Criteria

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate the following qualities during the selection process:

• Leadership Aptitude: Show your ability to lead and manage effectively within a fast-paced, complex work area.
• Resource Management: Demonstrate awareness of resource management and allocation to ensure that work is completed effectively.
• Collaborative Skills: Experience of working together with others across various different work areas to meet objectives and deadlines.
• Communication Skills: Exhibit strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Adaptability: Able to adapt to change while keeping work on track and meeting deadlines.
• Decision-Making: Demonstrable decision-making skills, with the ability to draw conclusions from complex information and present them clearly to others.