Hiring and Sponsoring Project support officers (SOC Code 3543)

Project Support Officers, classified under SOC Code 3543, are essential contributors in various sectors that manage, assist, and oversee project execution. Their role involves:

• Analysing project components: Breaking down projects into manageable parts and establishing the sequence of tasks.
• Creating project timetables: Developing and maintaining timelines to ensure the smooth progress of projects.
• Managing administrative tasks: Overseeing relevant documentation and procedural elements to facilitate project activities.
• Providing advice on procedures: Offering insights to help steer project teams in making informed decisions.
• Facilitating communication: Serving as a liaison to ensure effective interaction among the project team, other departments, project managers, clients, and senior management.
• Monitoring project progress: Keeping track of developments and providing consistent updates to stakeholders.

With an increasing emphasis on structured project management across various industries in the UK, the demand for qualified Project Support Officers is on the rise. This guide aims to assist HR professionals in understanding the requirements and processes for hiring and sponsoring Project Support Officers under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Project support officers?

SOC Code 3543 refers to project support officers who play a vital role in ensuring the smooth execution of projects across various industries. Their responsibilities can include:

• Analyzing project components: Breaking down project tasks to establish a logical sequence for execution.
• Organizing project timelines: Creating and maintaining a comprehensive project timetable to ensure deadlines are met.
• Ensuring project adherence: Helping the project team stay on schedule and managing essential administrative elements.
• Advising on procedures: Offering guidance on project protocols and assisting the team in making informed decisions.
• Facilitating communication: Liaising with project stakeholders, including team members, departments, clients, and senior management for effective collaboration.
• Monitoring progress: Tracking project advancements and providing regular updates to the project team, clients, and other stakeholders.

Project support officers are integral to the successful delivery of projects, ensuring that all elements align for optimal outcomes and stakeholder satisfaction.

Eligibility to Hire Project support officers (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Project Support Officers (SOC Code 3543) must exhibit strong analytical skills and organizational capabilities, along with relevant qualifications or experience criteria, which may include:

• Project Management Skills: Demonstrated ability to analyze project components, organize them logically, and establish timelines effectively.
• Timetable Creation: Proficiency in creating and maintaining project timetables that ensure the project proceeds on schedule.
• Administrative Proficiency: Experience managing relevant administrative elements of a project, ensuring all documentation is accurate and up to date.
• Communication Skills: Strong ability to liaise with project teams, other departments, project managers, clients, and senior management to maintain effective communication.
• Decision-Making Assistance: Comfort in advising on project procedures and supporting the project team in making informed decisions.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Capability to monitor the progress of projects and provide regular updates to project teams, clients, and stakeholders.
• Education: A degree in project management, business administration, or a related field may be advantageous but is not always required.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 3543 and that the Project Support Officer’s experience and skills meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Project support officers: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Project support officers under SOC Code 3543.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Project support officers, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Project support officers under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Project support officers. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Project support officers applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Project support officers’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Project support officers can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Project support officers

Before the Project support officers begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Project support officers’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Project support officers holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Project support officers’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Project support officers’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Project support officerss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Project support officers

Sponsoring Project support officers under SOC Code 3543 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Project support officers, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Project support officers under SOC Code 3543 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.