Manston Onsite Operations Officer

Job summary

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

The Asylum Group is driving the government’s commitment to operate a fair, efficient and transparent asylum system. The key priorities include, operational excellence, ending the use of hotels to house asylum seekers and reducing the number of people supported by the asylum system. The group brings together analytical, data science, policy and operational teams responsible for transforming the asylum system, efficient decision making, operating new and existing accommodation models, asylum support, and excellent Management Information and data modelling.

Asylum and Human Rights Operations (AHRO) is a high-profile area of work which forms part of the wider Asylum Group. AHRO is responsible for making thousands of decisions every year about who has the right to stay in the country by registering, deciding and concluding asylum protection claims with a firm emphasis on national security and a culture of satisfaction for people who come here legally. It is a significantly important area of operational delivery often dealing with very vulnerable people with complex backgrounds and the decisions made on claims, are life changing for both the claimant and their families.

The Illegal Migration Intake Unit (IMIU), which sits within AHRO, is responsible for the timely processing of illegal migrants, consisting of the registration and screening of those arriving in the UK illegally, locking the identity of asylum claimants from small boat arrivals, lorry drops and other clandestine arrivals.

IMIU consists of the Kent Intake Unit (KIU), Midlands Intake Unit (MIU) within Yarl’s Wood IRC, Intake Response Team (IRT), Manston Onsite Operations, Manston Remote Operations, the Co-ordination Hub and the Operational Enablement functions.

Job description

Manston Onsite Operations deals with small boat arrivals, which includes both adults and family units. It is based near Ramsgate and is an initial triaging and processing centre for those arriving via this method operating 24/7, 365 days of the year.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a high-profile and fast-paced operation focused on processing illegal arrivals. The position is both challenging and rewarding, requiring strong attention to detail and the ability to work effectively within strict timeframes.

As part of a 24/7 operational environment, you will work a fixed roster that includes unsociable hours, as well as night shifts, and you must be prepared to undertake the full range of duties as required. To apply you must be over 18, as you will be required to work between midnight and 4am, so being over 18 is a legal requirement.

This role is based entirely on-site. Hybrid working arrangements are not available and cannot be supported. Due to limited public transport options to attend site, a valid UK manual/automatic driving licence is essential. Additionally, Personal Safety Training Level 2 certification (minimum) is required for site attendance; candidates who do not currently hold this qualification must be willing to obtain it (this will be provided).

Key Responsibilities

Your role is to process small boat arrivals, which includes the following responsibilities:

• Conduct asylum screening interviews
• Monitor and review detention timelines to ensure legal compliance
• Monitor and review movements across site
• Monitor and action all live alerts linked to border security checks and safeguarding, ensuring all are appropriately dealt with
• Bail and manage dispersal off site and into accommodation or detention
• Operate screening tools and digital systems
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to data assurance processes
• Liaise with internal stakeholders (e.g. Co-ordination Hub, Safeguarding Team) and external partners (e.g. enforcement agencies)
• Complete mandated processes.

Screening interviews can be demanding and may involve handling sensitive and potentially distressing information. The role requires a high level of emotional resilience, discretion, and professionalism at all times.

Training

This is a demanding operational role that requires candidates to complete Personal Safety Training at Level 2. This is a mandatory requirement. Failure to successfully complete the training will preclude an individual from undertaking the role.

You will also be required to complete a 3 week induction and training programme. This may be held away from Manston and therefore you should be prepared to travel during this period, travel costs will be covered in line with policy. To receive this training you may also be required to work a Monday to Friday working pattern.

Further information on what the training involves can be found on our website.

Working Pattern

The team operates a shift working pattern, where Annualised Hours Working (AHW) is paid (currently 45.20%). AHW is subject to change and is reviewed to ensure it aligns to the business demands. The current roster includes evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays, in accordance with the operational needs of the business. The post-holder is expected to attend in person for every shift.

Currently the Manston rota is a fixed shift pattern 10.5hrs in length shifts, including early starts, late finishes, night shifts (spanning the hours of 2300hrs – 0600hrs), weekends and public holiday working. Rosters are published in advance but are constantly reviewed and therefore are subject to change. Shifts themselves can also change or be extended at short notice due to the unpredictable nature of small boat arrivals.

This role is suitable for part-time working hours, with a minimum requirement to work an average of 2 shifts per week across the year. Please note that full shifts will be required even if a part time contract is sought. If you apply for part-time/job share, please note not all working patterns can be supported. You should discuss individual requirements with the vacancy holder prior to accepting an offer.

To reiterate, this is an on-site shift working role and working from home cannot be supported.

Successful candidates must be able to attend for all shifts including early starts, late night finishes, and overnight shifts. Shifts will start/finish outside of public transport operating hours, therefore you will be responsible for organising your travel arrangements to and from work.

Travel

You will be expected to drive Home Office fleet vehicles, or another authorised vehicle, for official business purposes in line with policy.

Due to the geographical area, please ensure you have transport to attend this site as this is a shift working role and you could be required to start/end at any time in a 24 hour period. You are required to hold a full and valid UK manual/automatic driving licence.

Please note, candidates will need their own transport as there is no public transport that serves our site at Manston.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Ability to operate effectively under pressure, managing competing priorities within a fast-paced, operational environment while maintaining accuracy and professionalism.
• Strong organisational and communication skills, with the capacity to convey information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in using digital tools and systems, ensuring compliance with relevant processes and standards.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, fostering a culture of cooperation and shared responsibility.
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing, demonstrating respect, empathy, and fairness in all interactions.

Licences

Due to the nature of the work and the geographical area, driving is a key requirement for this role. Applicants must have a full valid UK manual/automatic driving licence.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
• Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
• This role currently attracts Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of 45.20% of salary, which equates to an additional £13,966 per annum based on salary minimum. Further information can be found on our website.
• See more of our benefits on our careers website.

Sign-up on our website to receive emails with information about careers at the Home Office

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths 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 below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.

1. Application – by 5th May 2026

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:

• Personal Statement (maximum 500 words).

The Personal Statement should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description.

For guidance and information on how to construct your application (Personal Statement), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.

2. Sift – week commencing 4th May 2026

The sift will be held on the Personal Statement as listed in the advert.

3. Interview - week commencing 8th June 2026

If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be Behaviours (as listed in the job advert) and Strength based questions. All Behaviours listed in the selection process will be scored at the interview.

The interview will take place on Microsoft Teams.

For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.

Problems during the application process

If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you’ve made a mistake on an initial application, please contact hocandidates.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.

Do not create or attempt to submit another application, online test or use a different Civil Service Jobs account to proceed as this would be in violation of the candidate declaration.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.

Appearance

This is a uniformed post and as such requires the highest standards. Further information on this and policies regarding tattoos can be found on our website.

Standards

All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

Additional Security Checks

As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. The level of Criminal Record Check required for this role is Enhanced. Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates.

Further Information

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct.

If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Reasonable Adjustments

If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs

• Complete the “Assistance Required” section in the “Additional Requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a language service professional

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.

Feedback

Due to the size of the campaign, it will not be possible to provide candidates with feedback at either the sift or interview stage.

Please disregard the sentence below.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Home Office Resourcing Centre (HORC)
• Email : HORCCampaignTeamHMPOandUKVI@homeoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles. and you wish to make a complaint, then contact the Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission

Attachments

Candidate_Information_v17_April_2026 Opens in new window (pdf, 207kB)2025-11-17 Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V17) Opens in new window (pdf, 231kB)