The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.
Border Force is a law enforcement arm of the Home Office. We are responsible for managing the UK border control by implementing immigration and customs regulations and working with the wider Home Office on counter terrorism, tackling organised crime, modern slavery and trafficking.
As a Border Force Officer at the frontline of our operation, your contributions will have a direct impact in delivering what the public expect from us. Your role will facilitate the clearance of passengers and goods from all over the world, representing the UK, while directly maintaining national Border Security.
Working pattern
We encourage applications from candidates who wish to work part-time; however, part-time opportunities cannot be guaranteed and are subject to the requirements of the role and business.
Training
You will receive full training for this role, which will consist of classroom and on the job training with a mentor over a period of up to eight weeks. This includes an induction, core training and Public and Personal Safety Training (PPST). You’ll also work as part of a supportive team who’ll provide you with advice and support throughout your career with us.
Further information on what the training involves .
More about Border Force Officer / Assistant roles
Meet the team
You can learn more about our work and ask questions, at one of our online events.
Officer & Assistant Officer Recruitment: Wednesday 4th December 2024 at 19:00
Officer & Assistant Officer Recruitment: Thursday, 5th December 2024 at 12:00
Specialist Teams and Holyhead Officer: Friday, 6th December 2024 at 19:00
Applying to Border Force with a Disability: Saturday 7th December 2024 at 12:00
This is an opportunity to hear first-hand what work in these roles is like on a day-to-day basis as well as to hear hints and tips to help you with your application.
Benefits
- Starting salary from £30,000 (Officers) or £26,750 (Assistant Officers)
- A Civil Service pension with an employer pension contribution of 28.97%
- An Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of up to 47.43% for Officers, depending on role and location, which could equate to an additional £14,229 per annum based on the salary minimum.
- Assistant Officers AHA of up to 47.43%, depending on role and location, which could equate to an additional £12,687 per annum based on the salary minimum. Further information on allowances.
- Excellent training and development starting in the classroom and then continuing on the job.
- You’ll work as part of a team where there is always someone around for advice and support.
Find out more about some of the other benefits we offer
Please click on the links below to view more details about each role.
- Border Force Officer
- Border Force Assistant Officer
- Border Force Officer: Coventry International Hub
- Border Force Assistant Officer: Coventry International Hub
- Border Force Officer: Langley Postal Hub
- Border Force Assistant Officer: Langley Postal Hub
- Border Force Officer: Regional Command and Control
- Border Force Officer: King’s Warehouse
- Border Force Assistant Officer: King’s Warehouse
- Border Force Assistant Officer: Risk Testing
Selection process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Strengths, Ability and Experience.
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated in the job advert, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.
As part of the application process, you will first be asked to confirm your eligibility by providing some basic personal information.
You will then be invited to complete a Civil Service Verbal Test, Numerical Test and Customer Service Test.
If you are successful at the online test stage, you will be invited to attend a Strengths-based interview. This will be a pre-recorded video interview via Vidcruiter. You will have until Monday, 6 January, 2025 to complete this from the date that the link is sent to you.
For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.
Border Force Officer
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A starting salary from £30,000 (from £31,000 for Gatwick and from £34,000 for Heathrow), plus Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA). Click the apply button below for more information about the allowances you may be entitled to as part of your salary.
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- Belfast
- Birmingham
- Bristol
- Dover
- East Midlands
- Felixstowe
- Folkestone
- Gatwick
- Harwich
- Heathrow
- Heysham
- Holyhead
- Hull
- Immingham
- Leeds / Bradford
- Liverpool
- Luton
- Manchester
- Newcastle
- Poole
- Preswick
- Seaforth
- Southend
- Stansted
- Tilbury
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As a Border Force Officer, you may be involved in the following types of activity:
- Operating immigration and customs controls at points of entry to the UK, checking passengers have the correct permissions and documentation to enter.
- Identifying vulnerable adults and children, prioritising their safety and welfare and referring to the appropriate agencies.
- Interviewing passengers, undertaking investigations, and making decisions on whether they qualify for entry to the UK or fall to be refused under the immigration rules.
- Identifying and searching people, goods, and vehicles to establish if a customs offence has been committed.
- Using law enforcement powers to arrest people involved in border offences, preserving evidence, managing the detention of individuals, and liaising with other law enforcement partners.
- If involved in International Trade, you will be responsible for the movement and clearance of imported and exported goods across a range of International Trade/Customs regimes and undertake post-detection action in respect of any irregularities identified.
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- 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.
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If you are interested in one of these Border Forcer Officer roles, please select from the location list below – to read more about the job and to apply.
379004 – East Midlands Airport
Border Force Assistant Officer
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A starting salary of £26,750, (£30,750 for London and Heathrow roles).
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- Birmingham
- Dover
- Felixstowe
- Folkestone
- Heathrow
- Holyhead
- London
- Luton
- Heysham
- Stansted
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As a Border Force Assistant Officer, you may be involved in the following types of activity:
- Undertaking checks and research on IT systems to identify people or vehicles of interest at the border.
- Conducting searches on people, goods and vehicles to establish if a customs offence has been committed.
- Using law enforcement powers to assist in the arrest and detention of people involved in border offences, preserving evidence and liaising with law enforcement partners.
- International Trade work including processing and recording documentation, investigating errors and responding to complaints.
- Using and gathering intelligence to inform border activity.
- Identifying vulnerable adults and children, prioritising their safety and welfare and referring to the appropriate agencies.
- Supporting wider frontline Border Force activity in its operational and corporate functions including recruitment, training and finance.
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- The professional behaviours and personal integrity associated with a law enforcement organisation. This means acting ethically and with integrity, always doing the right thing, being impartial and honest.
- Demonstrable interpersonal skills and you enjoy interacting with colleagues, members of the public and external stakeholders.
- A genuine interest in people, an inquisitive, open mind and empathetic manner.
- The ability to work as part of a team, be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
- The ability to deal with potentially difficult and challenging situations in a professional manner.
- An objective, analytical and methodical approach to tasks.
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If you are interested in one of these Border Force Assistant Officer roles, please select the location you’re interested in below – to read more about the job and to apply.
379000 – Luton
378847 – Heathrow
378838 – Harwich
378808 – Tilbury
378790 – Felixstowe
378789 – Stansted
378785 – Dover
378761 – London Gateway
378747 – Folkestone
Specialist Border Force teams – Border Force Officer: Coventry International Hub
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Starting salary from £30,000 plus Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of approximately between 30.52% and 35.84% of salary, which equates to an additional allowance of between £9,156 and £10,752 per annum based on salary minimum.
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Coventry
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As a Border Force Officer within Inland Border Command, you may be involved but not limited to the following types of activity:
- Operating customs controls at the Inland Border, checking goods have the correct permissions and documentation to proceed with transit.
- Identifying postal discrepancies from imported and exported items, undertaking investigations to establish if a customs offence has been committed.
- Managing queries from seized goods drafting tailored correspondence to complaints and making decisions on the restoration of goods when required.
- Preserving and recording evidence for use within Court Proceedings, liaising with other law enforcement partners on live investigations.
- Using law enforcement powers to detain and seize goods involved in in border offence in respect of any irregularities identified.
- The movement and clearance of imported and exported goods across a range of Customs regimes and undertake post-detection action to facilitate a smooth border crossing.
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- 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.
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If you are interested in this role, please apply using the link below.
379029 – Coventry International Hub
Border Force Assistant Officer: Coventry International Hub
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A salary of £26,750, plus Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of approximately 30.52% of salary, which equates to an additional £8,164 per annum based on salary minimum.
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Coventry
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As a Border Force Assistant Officer within the Inland Border Command, you may be involved but not limited to the following types of activity:
- Operating customs controls at the Inland Border, checking goods have the correct permissions and documentation to proceed with transit.
- Identifying postal discrepancies from imported and exported items, assisting investigations to establish if a customs offence has been committed.
- Processing queries from seized goods, drafting correspondence to complaints and making recommendations on the restoration of goods when required.
- Preserving and recording evidence for use within Court Proceedings liaising with colleagues on live investigations.
- Using law enforcement powers to detain and seize goods involved in a border offence, in respect of any irregularities identified.
- The movement and clearance of imported and exported goods across a range of custom regimes, undertaking post-detection action to facilitate a smooth border crossing.
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- The professional behaviours and personal integrity associated with a law enforcement organisation. This means acting ethically and with integrity, always doing the right thing, being impartial and honest.
- Demonstrable interpersonal skills and you enjoy interacting with colleagues, members of the public and external stakeholders.
- A genuine interest in people, an inquisitive, open mind and empathetic manner.
- The ability to work as part of a team, be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
- The ability to deal with potentially difficult and challenging situations in a professional manner.
- An objective, analytical and methodical approach to tasks.
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If you are interested in this role, please apply using the link below.
378596 – Coventry International Hub
Border Force Officer: Langley Postal Hub
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A starting salary of £34,000 plus Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of approximately 21.66% of salary, which equates to an additional £7,364 per annum based on salary minimum.
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Langley
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As a Border Force Officer within Inland Border Command, you may be involved but not limited to the following types of activity:
- Operating customs controls at the Inland Border, checking goods have the correct permissions and documentation to proceed with transit.
- Identifying postal discrepancies from imported and exported items, undertaking investigations to establish if a customs offence has been committed.
- Managing queries from seized goods drafting tailored correspondence to complaints and making decisions on the restoration of goods when required.
- Preserving and recording evidence for use within Court Proceedings, liaising with other law enforcement partners on live investigations.
- Using law enforcement powers to detain and seize goods involved in in border offence in respect of any irregularities identified.
- The movement and clearance of imported and exported goods across a range of Customs regimes and undertake post-detection action to facilitate a smooth border crossing.
-
- 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.
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If you are interested in this role, please apply using the link below.
Border Force Assistant Officer: Langley Postal Hub
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A salary from £30,750, plus Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of approximately 21.66% of salary, which equates to an additional £6,660 per annum based on salary minimum.
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Langley
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As a Border Force Assistant Officer within Inland Border Command, you may be involved but not limited to the following types of activity:
- Operating customs controls at the Inland Border, checking goods have the correct permissions and documentation to proceed with transit.
- Identifying postal discrepancies from imported and exported items, undertaking investigations to establish if a customs offence has been committed.
- Managing queries from seized goods drafting tailored correspondence to complaints and making decisions on the restoration of goods when required.
- Preserving and recording evidence for use within Court Proceedings, liaising with other law enforcement partners on live investigations.
- Using law enforcement powers to detain and seize goods involved in in border offence in respect of any irregularities identified.
- The movement and clearance of imported and exported goods across a range of Customs regimes and undertake post-detection action to facilitate a smooth border crossing.
-
- The professional behaviours and personal integrity associated with a law enforcement organisation. This means acting ethically and with integrity, always doing the right thing, being impartial and honest.
- Demonstrable interpersonal skills and you enjoy interacting with colleagues, members of the public and external stakeholders.
- A genuine interest in people, an inquisitive, open mind and empathetic manner.
- The ability to work as part of a team, be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
- The ability to deal with potentially difficult and challenging situations in a professional manner.
- An objective, analytical and methodical approach to tasks.
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If you are interested in this role, please apply using the link below.
378776 – Langley Postal Hub
Border Force Officer: Regional Command and Control (RCC)
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Starting from £30,0000, plus Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of approximately 40.14% of salary, which equates to an additional £12,042 per annum based on salary minimum.
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Manchester
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As a Border Force Officer within the North Regional Command and Control Unit (RCC), you will not be in a front facing role at the Border nor based at a port. Instead, your day-to-day duties will be focused on supporting colleagues on the frontline which may involve the following types of operational activity:
- Drafting communications at pace for a wide range of audiences, ensuring technical elements are tailored to the right level to be effective.
- Manipulating datasets to generate and produce real time reporting, enabling decision making and targeting for mandated border activity and wider frontline priorities.
- Co-ordination of logistics for special events, critical incidents and other ad-hoc joint operations, which may involve other government agencies.
- Provide advice and guidance for management on a range of matters which the RCC have oversight for monitoring.
- General administration of RCC inboxes, databases including specialist systems in relation to Border Security.
- Remote monitoring of systems in securing the UK Border and alerting frontline colleagues to take appropriate action.
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- 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.
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If you are interested in this role, please apply using the link below.
Border Force Officer: King’s Warehouse
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A starting salary from £30,000, plus Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of approximately 17.58% of salary, which equates to an additional £5,274 per annum based on salary minimum.
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Dover
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As a Border Force Officer within Kings Warehouse, you may be involved but not limited to the following types of activity:
- Working closely with key internal and external partners including HM Revenue and Customs, partner law enforcement agencies and external contractors employed to store, move and dispose of seized goods.
- Manual handling of goods (up to 10kg) within a warehouse setting (equipment is provided for handling items in excess of 10kg).
- Line management of Administrative Officers, including HR, finance, and personal development.
- Working with front line Border Force Officers to resolve complex queries on the correct storage and disposals of prohibited seized goods.
- Resolving issues concerning EPMS (Electronic Property Management System) reviews to ensure efficient and effective stock control and warehouse management of seized goods for timely disposals: ensuring Assistant Officers are following agreed processes for retaining seized goods and progressing to timely disposal with Case Officers.
- Opening and closing of the site and undertaking key holder duties.
- Attending contractor sites and witnessing disposals of seized goods.
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- 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.
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Border Force Assistant Officer: King’s Warehouse
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A salary of £26,750, plus Annualised Hours Allowance of approximately 17.58% of salary, which equates to an additional £4,702 per annum based on salary minimum.
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Dover
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As a Border Force Assistant Officer within Kings Warehouse, you may be involved in the following types of activity:
- Working closely with key internal and external partners including HM Revenue and Customs, partner law enforcement agencies and external contractors employed to store, move and dispose of seized goods.
- Manual handling of goods (up to 10kg) within a warehouse setting (equipment is provided for handling items in excess of 10kg).
- Supporting Border Force Officer’s with their case load and assisting them to resolve complex queries on the correct storage and disposals of prohibited seized goods.
- Resolving issues concerning ePMS (Electronic Property Management System) reviews to ensure efficient and effective stock control and warehouse management of seized goods for timely disposals.
- Attending contractor sites and witnessing disposals of seized goods.
- Supporting the co-ordination and planning of weekly meetings.
- Attending with internal partners to arrange disposals and assist in resolving issues concerning external contractors.
- You may be required to carry out other duties within the scope of your grade and within the limits of your skill, competence and training.
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- The professional behaviours and personal integrity associated with a law enforcement organisation. This means acting ethically and with integrity, always doing the right thing, being impartial and honest.
- Demonstrable interpersonal skills and you enjoy interacting with colleagues, members of the public and external stakeholders.
- A genuine interest in people, an inquisitive, open mind and empathetic manner.
- The ability to work as part of a team, be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
- The ability to deal with potentially difficult and challenging situations in a professional manner.
- An objective, analytical and methodical approach to tasks.
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If you are interested in this role, please apply using the link below.
378755 – Kings Warehouse
Border Force Assistant Officer: Risk Testing
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A starting salary of £30,000, plus Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of approximately 37.13% of salary, which equates to an additional £11,139 per annum based on salary minimum.
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- Portsmouth
- Stansted
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As a Risk Testing Assistant Officer you will play a key role in capturing data as part of operational activity, to provide insight to vulnerability through the scale and type of threat we face at the Border:
- Undertaking checks and research on IT systems to identify people or vehicles of interest at the border.
- Conducting searches on people, goods and vehicles to establish if a customs offence has been committed.
- Using law enforcement powers to assist in the arrest and detention of people involved in border offences, preserving evidence and liaising with law enforcement partners.
- International Trade work including processing and recording documentation, investigating errors and responding to complaints.
- Using and gathering intelligence to inform border activity.
- Identifying vulnerable adults and children, prioritising their safety and welfare and referring to the appropriate agencies.
- Supporting wider frontline Border Force activity in its operational and corporate functions including recruitment, training and finance.
-
- The professional behaviours and personal integrity associated with a law enforcement organisation. This means acting ethically and with integrity, always doing the right thing, being impartial and honest.
- Demonstrable interpersonal skills and you enjoy interacting with colleagues, members of the public and external stakeholders.
- A genuine interest in people, an inquisitive, open mind and empathetic manner.
- The ability to work as part of a team, be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
- The ability to deal with potentially difficult and challenging situations in a professional manner.
- An objective, analytical and methodical approach to tasks.
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