Internal Applicants Only

This post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only.  Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.

Internal Applicants Only - International Student Support Advisor

Working within the flagship Centre for Student Life it's an exciting time to work in Cardiff University's Student Life Division. 

This role will be working within the Student Visa Support team which is part of Student Advice and Money within Student Life. We are seeking to recruit an experienced Immigration Adviser with a background in providing professional advice and guidance to students regarding immigration advice.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate the ability to provide accurate and confidential advice on visas and immigration to students and their dependents. This support may be in person, over the telephone or video conferencing and/or via e-mail. They will be expected to complete casework to a high standard as is appropriate to the client's needs and those of the institution. The post holder will be responsible for maintaining accurate case notes and statistical information as required.

To be successful you will have in depth knowledge and understanding of student visas and immigration for international students. You will be required to provide advice on visas and immigration for international and EU students, both current and those on our pre-sessional language courses, and to our International Study Centre students who will be progressing onto their substantive undergraduate and postgraduate courses. You will be expected to keep up to date with all relevant legislation relating to student visas and immigration and the University academic regulations, policies and procedures.

You will also be responsible for delivering talks, workshops and publications to students and staff throughout the University.

You will be working within the wider Student Advice and Money team which also includes Student Funding and Advice and Student Money Support.  Student Advice and Money is part of the Student Life Division with exciting opportunities to work collaboratively and as part of multi-disciplinary teams on a range of student focused projects.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), fixed term for 24 months.

Salary: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum (Grade 6)

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 37 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), pro rata for part time staff, local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments up the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

Closing date: Tuesday, 16 December 2025

External applications are currently not being considered for this post.  If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
Key Duties

• Provide professional advice and guidance on student visa and immigration processes and procedures to internal and external customers that will have institute wide impacts, using judgement and creativity to suggest the most appropriate course of action where appropriate, and ensuring complex and conceptual issues are understood
• Take responsibility for resolving issues independently within the Student Visa Support Team where they fall within set role objectives
• Investigate and analyse specific issues within the student immigration area creating recommendation reports.
• Ensure that the provision of immigration advice is delivered to the institution's staff, students and prospective students, proactively changing the delivery according to customer requirements using sensitivity and judgement
• Establish working relationships with key contacts, developing appropriate communication links with the University's Schools/Directorates and outside bodies as required
• Develop and deliver training and presentations on student immigration related issues
• Undertake a variety of administrative duties to support the department including accurate case notes, statistical records, evaluation and updating of information
• Instruct and guide other employees across the University about student immigration related issues.
• Plan and deliver small scale projects, co-ordinating and supervising project teams created as directed.
   

General Duties

• Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
• Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity
• Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role

Additional Information
The successful candidate will be expected to work occasional evenings to cover international student events, particularly at the start of the academic year.

This is a fixed term post of 2 years duration.

Important Notice:

• It is the University's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable.
• As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.
• Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined below.
• Your application will be considered based on the information you provide under each element.

When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure that you name it with the vacancy reference number, e.g. Supporting Statement for 20701BR.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

1. Degree/NVQ 4 or equivalent Professional membership/experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

1. Substantial experience of working within student immigration advice work with at least 2 years' experience of working within an immigration advice capacity.
2. Able to demonstrate professional comprehensive knowledge of student visas and immigration to give advice and guidance to internal and external customers  
3. Proven experience in developing new processes and procedures

Customer Service, Communication and Team Working

1. Ability to communicate conceptually detailed and complex information effectively and professionally with a wide range of people, including the ability to deliver large scale workshops and presentations in person and online.
2. Evidence of ability to explore customers' needs and adapt the service accordingly to ensure a quality service is delivered
3. Proven ability to work as part of a team and develop networks in order to contribute to long term developments

Planning, Analysis and Problem solving

1. Evidence of ability to solve complex problems using initiative and creativity; identify and propose both practical and innovative solutions
2. Evidence of ability to undertake and deliver specific projects to deadlines and supervise short term project teams
3. Evidence of attention to detail to produce high-quality, accurate work

Desirable Criteria

1. Postgraduate/Professional qualification
2. Experience of working in a Higher Education environment
3. Fluency in Welsh, written and oral
4. Experience of reviewing and developing team communication plans including maintaining website and intranet content
5. A demonstrable commitment to continuous professional development in line with OISC regulations.

---