Role Overview | Asylum & Human Rights

Asylum Decision Maker

Some of the key responsibilities in these roles include (but not limited):

Conducting Asylum interviews to the required Home Office standard ensuring all information necessary to make an appropriate decision is obtained.
Following the required processes in order to make decisions on asylum cases within the decision-making framework.
Considering large amounts of information, legislation and case law to produce individually written, clear, structured letters on behalf of the Home Secretary outlining reasons for the decision.
Demonstrating sensitivity, emotional resilience and understanding of the needs of vulnerable adults and children throughout the process.
Providing accurate information in a professional and helpful manner by collecting and assessing relevant data and information from various sources.
Working positively with internal and corporate partners and stakeholders.
Updating systems accurately, within agreed time-frames with support from Technical Specialists. You will use feedback from the Assurance and Compliance Team, Technical Specialist and appeal hearings to assist in identifying any learning and development to be fully efficient in the role.
Developing specialist knowledge of legislation and policy, keeping up-to-date with guidance and case law, seeking advice and escalating to senior colleagues or specialist caseworkers.

Welcome to Asylum and Human Rights Operations and thank you for your interest in the role of Asylum Decision Maker. Asylum decision making is a hugely rewarding and very satisfying role. There are few other roles in the Civil Service where you will be responsible for making a life-changing decision on an individual's future.

This is a challenging role; with the work we do often attracting significant political and media interest. You will need to be resilient and understand the importance of external scrutiny and challenge and be open to continuous improvement. I wish you all the best in your application.

What are we looking for in an Asylum Decision Maker

We are looking for candidates who are:

Emotionally resilient, compassionate, professional and sensitive whilst remaining objective and focused.
Able to demonstrate good decision-making skills and are flexible, adaptable and creative in problem solving
Demonstrate a thirst for learning, are able to process information quickly and are interested in understanding policy and data in order to reach the right conclusion.
Committed to continuous improvement and able to multi-task. Able to effectively organise and plan.
IT literate and able to demonstrate excellent attention to detail and accurate record keeping. You will be undertaking lengthy (2-3 hour) interviews with individuals seeking asylum and be required to type a verbatim record of the discussion as the interview takes place.
Passionate about providing excellent customer service to all stakeholders; members of the public and external and internal stakeholders.
Able to demonstrate strong interpersonal, communication and relationship-building skills and thrive working as part of a team.

The work that you undertake is life-changing and in order to achieve your best you will be supported, coached and mentored by an experienced team and given full training enabling you to make considered, timely and fair decisions made in line with Home Office policy, guidance and with reference to relevant country information and case law.

Training and Development

Upon joining you will be enrolled into our 22 week Asylum Decision Maker programme (DMP), completing mandatory training and attending required courses for the first 9 weeks. From day one you will join your Decision Maker units who will support you throughout your learning journey. Some of the courses you will be required to attend operate virtually, meaning that you will learn remotely from your home and won’t be required to attend your team’s office during this time. You will be provided with a laptop to work on.

The Asylum Decision Making Programme itself is designed to give you an understanding of relevant legislation, policy and the UN Convention; the technical knowledge, skills and confidence required to impartially interview asylum applicants, and to go on to consider, decide and draft decisions on their claims.

During your time within the DMP, you will work real asylum applications under the supervision and support of your dedicated Trainers, Technical Specialists and you will be assigned a dedicated Team Leader who will support you with matters relating to Human Resources.

Whilst you are in the Asylum Decision Making Programme, our aim is to help you be fully competent decision maker and pass your Civil Service Probation after 6-months if applicable

Attendance and Working Hours

Please note weeks 1 to 9 require compulsory full-time attendance This means 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

You are limited to working your agreed part-time hours during this time due to the nature of the training and will be able to receive pay for the hours worked or time back. In addition, annual leave is not normally agreed during this time.

However, we are happy to discuss part-time hours/flexible working with you after your initial 9-week period. Please note, for part-time working the minimum hours are 25 per week, due to the intense training and mentoring required within the first 6-12 months.

Hybrid working is available for this role and is currently set at 40% in the office and 60% working from home. This may change in the future subject to business needs.

Working Arrangements

Full time hours are 37 per week with the option to work flexibly in line with business needs. We welcome applications from part time workers, please speak to the Recruitment Services Team before applying to discuss your personal request.

Application Process