Migrant Operations Lead

Job summary

The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), one of the UK�s 14 Overseas Territories, is a unique set of tropical islands in the centre of the Indian Ocean. It is uninhabited save for Diego Garcia, home to an important UK-US military facility.

The BIOT Administration, the government of BIOT, is composed of staff seconded from the FCDO and other departments of the UK Government.� Some of its members sit in BIOT; the rest operate from the UK, where they sit alongside the Overseas Territories and Polar Directorate of the FCDO.�

The BIOT Migrants Team was created in 2021 in response to the unexpected arrival of a group of migrants from Sri Lanka, who subsequently claimed the equivalent of asylum.� The team works to ensure that these claims are assessed in accordance with international law, and that the migrants are properly looked after in the interim. The ultimate objective is to resettle those migrants with valid protection claims in a safe third country, and to return those whose claims are not upheld to Sri Lanka.� The migrants have launched a series of overlapping legal challenges against the BIOT Commissioner and the Foreign Secretary.�

Within the team you will be responsible for leading all aspects of operational delivery, ensuring that the migrants are properly looked after and that the camp is fit for purpose. Should the camp need to be expanded or moved, you will oversee this process.� You will give guidance to the two Camp Managers, and solve new problems as they arise.

You will oversee the team of four managing the processing of the claims for international protection made by the migrants.� You will be responsible for the development (where needed) and oversight of relevant administrative processes.���

This is an exciting and dynamic job.� The role is about developing policy to respond to the many new challenges as they arise; the camp managers and contract staff manage more day-to-day issues.

The BIOT Migrants Team strives to be friendly and supportive.� We have a diversity of ages, departmental backgrounds and professional experience.� We encourage a good work-life balance. The post holder will be encouraged to use this role to support their future career, with activity tailored, so far as possible given the demands of the role, to support their interests and development needs.���

Job description

In this role you will be responsible for:

Leading the migrant operations team, in DG and based in London:
� Line management of 2 camp Managers deployed to DG and the Deputy Head of Operations (all SEOs) with countersigning responsibility for the Decisions, Returns and Information Officers (all EOs).� Ensuring clear objectives and understanding of roles as they develop, whilst actively supporting development and welfare of the team.

Ensuring the safety, well-being, security and smooth running of the migrant camp;
� Working through the Camp Managers and in close liaison with the Commissioner�s Representative (Brit Rep), military partners; working closely with the team and contractors to deliver safe and secure management of the camp.�
� Review and put in place necessary resources as required to respond to and mitigate risks of incidents in the camp, working closely with the Safeguarding Manager.
� Support work of BIOT police in investigations implicating or affecting migrants or contractors, including breaches of the Restriction of Movement Order, and any potential criminal proceedings impacting on the migrant community.
� Ensure high quality delivery of all migrant operations, adapting processes as needed and contributing to development of new policies as required
� Advise on camp maintenance and future needs and supporting the movement of people and resources to BIOT to fulfil them.
� Lead on proposals and, if approved, implementing changes to the camp structure and layout, mitigating ongoing litigation and legal challenges.
� Work closely with medevac lead for arrangements, providing for effective referrals process, medevac and return post treatment.
� Implement recommendations made by the UNHCR in their official report.
Lead Migrant Operations Stakeholder engagement and relationships with contractor suppliers to deliver security, safety and welfare of migrants:
� Working closely with BIOTA head of finance and commercial develop and enhance working relationship.� Review and challenge where necessary expenditure and new requests
� Support commercial lead in contract arrangements and negotiations (variations to contracts, new contracts and changes to roles and responsibilities
� Regularly review contractor staffing levels and professional skills and expertise requirements � including medical, education, safeguarding and security

Ensuring momentum is maintained in the process of making decisions on the migrants� claims for international protection, and that effective arrangements are made, as appropriate, for the voluntary or enforced returns of migrants to their countries of origin.�

Provision of factual input as necessary into responses to legal challenges to our management of the migrants. �

In the event that the migrants issue is fully resolved before your term in the job finishes, you will be asked to support other OTPD priorities.����

Person specification

We are looking for someone with:

Essential
� The ability to get to grips quickly with this rather unusual situation and to be able to drive forward operations and operational policy confidently, showing ingenuity and common sense to find pragmatic solutions to a variety of novel problems.� The ability to deal with a lot of the unexpected, and to respond to crises.�
� The ability remotely to manage and support the two Camp Managers, resolving the broader policy issues that arise out of day to day management of the migrant camp, helping them to manage the challenges of the job (including long hours and the emotional challenges of dealing personally with the migrants), and being a listening ear for them when the going gets tough.�
� More generally, the ability to juggle workloads within the team, prioritising what needs to be done urgently but driving forward important but longer-term projects.�
� The ability to ensure that not just staff but contractors are clear about what we need from them and deliver for us.� The ability to draw up clear job descriptions and terms of reference, and to secure value for money from contractors.
� The ability to consult and bring others along with you, but also to make effective decisions and drive forward action to get things done.
� Proven resilience, the ability to manage a busy job and to support colleagues in a similar situation.
� The ability and willingness to work collaboratively with colleagues, divvying up the tasks at hand in a pragmatic way.
� The ability to work with a diverse team, including military officers (especially the Commissioner�s Representative in BIOT), staff from a variety of government departments, contractors, and a wide range of lawyers supporting the BIOT Administration and the FCDO.�
� Excellent oral and written communications skills.

Desirable
� Previous experience of working with migrants or refugees, or an understanding of immigration issues, would be ideal.�

This is a challenging role, involving both logistical and policy issues, but one in which you can see the results of your efforts.� The team prides itself on being friendly and supportive; we will want you to play your part in maintaining this.��

Benefits

As in postholder's parent department

Note:

If you are a civil servant or an employee of a public body, this advertised role is not within the Civil Service or an accredited Non-Departmental Public Body. As such, your continuity of service may be affected if you apply and are successful, and you should check the appropriate guidance with your HR team or line manager.�

This role may not include an option to apply for a Civil Service Pension, as it is outside the Civil Service.

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