Team Leader
| Posting date: | 04 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £38,419 to £41,109 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 18 March 2026 |
| Location: | Dover |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 450880/1 |
Summary
Immigration Enforcement is responsible for enforcing the government’s immigration laws, tackling illegal migration, removing foreign national offenders and immigration offenders from the UK. It also aims to disrupt the organised criminal groups that exploit the vulnerable for their personal gain. Learn more on our careers pages.
The Skylark team delivers three key work streams.
The Foreign National Offender (FNO) Hub is a joint Immigration Enforcement (IE) and policing response that focuses on identifying foreign national offenders and high-risk foreign nationals with no convictions who pose a threat to the public. This work enables the removal of individuals who present harm within communities.
The Non FNO Hub is a cross migration and Borders case progression function that identifies foreign nationals arrested on suspicion of serious criminality in the UK. The team reviews actions taken, identifies learning and drives change to strengthen future operational responses.
Police Compliance works to increase referrals from Police Forces across the UK into National Command and Control Unit (NCCU) and the wider IE system. Using complex data sets, the team produces performance products and identifies missed opportunities for immigration enforcement intervention.
Across all three work streams, Skylark focuses on engagement and collaboration with the Home Office, Immigration Enforcement, UK policing, Association of Chief Police Officers Criminal Records Office (ACRO), international criminality partners and police national database users. The aim is to build stronger working relationships, improve understanding of shared priorities and create a unified approach to prioritising high harm foreign national offenders.
A core objective is to develop effective data sharing arrangements between policing and Immigration Enforcement, improving public and border protection. By sharing and analysing data, the team identifies, prioritises and manages foreign nationals who pose a persistent criminal threat to communities.
The Skylark Progression Team Leader provides senior operational leadership, ensuring the rapid and safe progression of the highest harm and highest risk individuals. You will oversee complex case progression activity, lead a small team of Executive Officers, and act as a central point of expertise, escalation and multi-agency coordination. Working collaboratively with internal and external partners, you will strengthen operational responses, support safeguarding outcomes and help improve decision making across all Skylark workstreams. Your leadership will directly contribute to Immigration Enforcement’s wider mission to protect the public and reduce the threat posed by dangerous foreign nationals.
Key responsibilities
- Work independently while contributing fully to a small high performing team, maintaining focus and driving progress towards ambitious operational objectives.
- Understand the cross-cutting nature of this national team and balance the needs, processes and priorities of wider business areas and external partners to achieve shared goals.
- Apply creative thinking and innovative approaches to problem solving, working collaboratively with internal and external partners to strengthen operational responses.
- Lead case progression activity with professionalism and sound judgement, ensuring risks are identified early and actions are delivered in a timely and consistent manner.
- Provide clear advice and informed guidance to colleagues and partners, acting as a point of escalation where appropriate.
Working Pattern
This role is available on a full-time basis. This role is also suitable for part-time working hours, with a minimum requirement to work 4 days per week due to business requirements.
Apprenticeship
This role includes completion of the Leadership & Management Apprenticeship (Level 3). The apprenticeship will take around 18 months to complete. Apprenticeships are designed to enable an apprentice to gain new technical knowledge and practical experience while acquiring skills and behaviours that will enhance your development.
As part of this role, you will be expected to maintain the commitment required to complete your apprenticeship. To be eligible to apply for the apprenticeship you need to meet the following criteria:
- Must be 16 or older (there is no upper age limit)
- Must have lived in the UK for 3 years prior to the apprenticeship start date
- Not be undertaking another apprenticeship or paid study/education
- Work a recommended minimum of 30 hours per week
- Not have pre-existing qualifications at the same or higher level in a similar subject as the apprenticeship. See Level 3 Team Leader for more details of the apprenticeship standard.
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