International Verification Support Officer, Grade-AO, Colombo

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require. Job Category Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas) Job Subcategory UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities) Main purpose of job: UKVI International Verification Support Team works closely with HOIO, Global Decision-Making Hubs and Central Service Teams in the UK to deliver a world-class visa service that supports UK economic growth & prosperity and keeps the UK border safe & secure.  We are seeking a flexible colleague who will work well in a busy IT-based office environment, who can deliver their work on time and to a high standard. You will need to be adaptable and show a willingness to undertake a variety of tasks.  This role is embedded within the International Network, and you will work closely with teams at post such as HOIO to tackle UK Visa abuse. You will also have the opportunity to work with and support colleagues tackling organised immigration crime, by enhancing visa decision quality through knowledge sharing and the identification of visa abuse. You will need an eye for detail, a positive attitude, good communication skills and the ability to work as part of a busy and focused team. We also want you to enjoy working with us – so please bring your sense of fun too - and enjoy getting to know your new role and your new colleagues. The successful candidate will be a self-starter who can successfully work in a small but busy team. They will have an inquisitive mind, strong administration ability and be a team player with excellent interpersonal and time-management skills.  Due to the sensitive nature of this role, work will be routinely sampled for quality assurance by your Line Manager and audit checks carried out by the Integrity Team. The Successful Candidate must familiarise themselves with local guidance and integrity policies prior to carrying out the main responsibilities set out below. Training, including on Risk Management principles, will be provided. We reserve the right to review, revise or amend the roles and responsibilities from time to time reflecting the changing needs of business. Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve: 1) Enrichment activity: To deliver country specific enrichment activity by undertaking information enquiries with internal and external partners, undertaking document checks and conducting visa customer interviews – all within agreed priorities, deadlines and customer service-standards. Working closely with Enrichment Teams in Decision Making centres and helping support new tasking processes across VSI and Immigration Enforcement as applicable. Additional Enrichment activities include: Notifying UKVI Enrichment Teams and HOIO Colleagues of adverse outcomes for potential further investigation Updating all partners on new trends identified from verification activity by attending regular meetings with HOIO, regional teams and Visa Hubs for sharing best practices and local knowledge on enrichment activities. 3) Generating statistics/ Admin support: To generate monthly visa statistics and all other relevant administration/logistical support to the UKVI team. You will also provide additional admin and logistical support where required, to aid with the running of the office and contribute to the wider mission.  4) Contributing to improved Decision Making: Work closely with existing Verification Support Officers Overseas to produce country context documents and document library to enhance decision making capabilities for those who process Sri Lankan casework.  5) Translating: Translating documents into English (if appropriate). 6) Field visits: Where required, being able to work flexibly outside of the office to conduct in person enrichment and verification through field visits within Sri Lanka, with overnight visits in the field away from the office required. To complete written reports, verification checks to an excellent standard and meeting tight deadlines. Resources managed (staff and expenditure):  Staff have access to a wide variety of online resources through the Diplomatic Academy and Civil Service Learning. Staff are strongly encouraged to take advantage of all the available opportunities. The job-holder will be required to take some specific training courses and be provided with other possible development opportunities related to their role. Working patterns: Staff are required to take at least 30 minutes break per day. The 40 hrs per week includes 1hr lunch break as per CBS Handbook. Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed): All new staff undertake a workplace induction and there are a number of mandatory e-learning courses covering areas such as diversity, health and safety, and information management. Essential qualifications, skills and experience Essential on arrival: 1.5+yrs relevant admin experience required Education: must be a university graduate  An excellent command of English (written and spoken). This will be tested at interview. Experience in Microsoft Office, accessing databases and web based applications The ability to work as part of a small team in Colombo but make contributions towards achieving the objectives of a larger international team and work under pressure to meet challenging targets A positive, can-do attitude with attention to detail Language requirements: Language: English Level of Language Required: Expert in written & spoken Desirable qualifications, skills and experience Desirable: A background in immigration administration or other administration role in an overseas mission  A background of checking or testing information submitted to a private or government sector organisation Good communication and people-friendly interpersonal skills, and the ability to develop productive relationships with other teams around the network Tamil language skills sufficient to conduct telephone calls and send emails Familiarity with the Sri Lankan social system and official documents held by Sri Lankan citizens Required behaviours Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together Application deadline 16 November 2025 Grade Administrative Officer (AO) Type of Position Full-time, Permanent Working hours per week 40 Region South Asia & Afghanistan Country/Territory Sri Lanka Location (City) Colombo Type of Post British High Commission Number of vacancies 1 Salary Currency LKR Salary LKR 220,787 per month + EPF 12% per month + ETF 3% per month. Type of Salary monthly Start Date 15 January 2026 Other benefits and conditions of employment For British High Commission (BHC) candidates, the Country Based Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.  For other than BHC candidates, starting salary will be LKR 220,787 + EPF 12% + ETF 3% per month . Other benefits include 13 month’s salary (pro-rated) and medical insurance coverage.  Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks .  FCDO operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require. The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system. The High Commission takes pride in its organisational culture and its strong and diverse team. We offer leave entitlements as per Sri Lankan labour laws. We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.