JOB ADVERT: Visa Assistant
The U.S. Mission in Yaounde, Cameroon is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Visa Assistant. This position is located in Yaounde, Cameroon.
CLOSING DATE: May 23, 2016 at 16:00
WORK HOURS: Full time, 40 hours/week
SALARY: Ordinarily Resident (OR): FSN-07
BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION
Under the direct supervision of the Consular Specialist, the incumbent performs responsible and moderately difficult work related to immigrant visas, asylum and refugee cases for Cameroonians and four other neighboring countries under Yaounde Consular jurisdiction (Chad, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea) from the time the petition is received to the point of final issuance. Incumbent also provides support to non-immigrant visa (NIV) process from entering data into NIV software, photo capturing and printing NIV, and serves as the consular sub-Cashier in the absence of the primary cashier.
Detailed Duties and Responsibilities for Visa Assistant:
1. Immigrant Visa Processing & Documents Checking (50%)
Retrieving and preparing Files for IV Interviews
- Employee is responsible for preparing a broad range of moderately difficult IV cases for final interview by a consular officer. Receives and checks documents from applicants, prepares Case Adjudication sheets, compares information in IVO displays against petitions, reviews biographic data form (DS-230) and request additional supporting documents and reviews them. Makes initial comments to alert the Fraud Prevention Unit and interviewing officers, prepares refusal letters (221gs) when key documents are missing in the file. May refer complex or unusual cases to the Senior Visa Assistant or Consular Officer. Employee is responsible for pulling petitions and NCIC hits from files, prints IV displays and does background clearance on each applicant (CLASS checks, Adam Walsh Act checks, IACT, etc). Included in this process the review of the I-864 Affidavit of Support (AOS), Tax return forms (1040) and other financial documents for accuracy. Incumbent also determine DV winners qualifications based on work experience using the Department O Net line, or credentials submitted. Also ensures that visa interview fees are paid to the Sub-Cashier. Provide guidance to conoffs, on critical elements of the FAM/INA when need arises dring or after intake.
Processing of K1, K2, K3, K4 visas
- While these visa categories are technically non immigrant visas, the preliminary processing of all documentation is done in the IV Section. Included in the process is the registration of the I-129F visa petition, contacting beneficiaries, generating PKT3 letters and preparing instructions packets to be mailed or handed out to beneficiaries.
Processing Visas 92/93 cases and age-out/expedited cases
- Upon receipt of these cases from the National Visa Center, the incumbent sort them out, contact immediately the concerned and prepares instructions packet.
- Explains the requirements and updates the NIV system with applicant's information, verify identity and supporting documents, looks for cross-reference cases and make appropriate annotation in the system to the attention of the interviewing officer and Fraud Prevention Unit (FPU). Incumbent ensures that the age-out and expedited cases are processed without delays.
Providing information regarding USCIS Centralized filing for waivers of inadmissibility
- Incumbent is responsible for explaining the centralized filing of waiver procedures to applicants which requires a high technical knowledge and interpretation of the US Immigration laws and regulations. Ensures that applicants fill out appropriate forms accurately, pay the required fees, and attach all supporting documents.
- Incumbent prepares handouts on Lockbox filing tips for distribution to waiver applicants. .
Intake, data entry and printing of NIV cases during NIV interview days
Incumbent provides support to Non-immigrant visa (NIV) process by managing the front consular window to meet the public, explaining moderately complex procedures to be followed to the public, receiving and checking visa applications, entering date into NIV software, photo-capturing and printing non-immigrant visas.
2. Information to the Public – Correspondence and Filing (30%)
- Incumbent handles congressional, lawyers, Department of States and all types of inquiries related to all visa categories (IV, DV, Asylum and refugee cases, K1 and K3). Incumbent is the main point of contacts between Post and other agencies and posts, in regards to case transfers, waiver applications. Answers all telephone inquiries, drafts moderately difficult replies, sends appointments and termination letters to IV applicants, and reviews age-out and expedited cases for expedited processing. Contact No-show IV applicants and reschedule appointments. Maintains the IV appointments' calendar. Receives approximately 50 I-730, I-129F, I-600, and I-130 approved petitions for Cameroon and neighbouring countries, registers, creates paper files for each I-600 family, forward I-600 petitions to the Fraud Prevention Manager for review, emails and mails out instructions packages to beneficiaries/petitioners and files folders in the filing cabinet.
- On IV comeback day, incumbent delivers to applicants consular officers hard decisions and explains the regulations to difficult customers. Explains the new USCIS centralized filing waiver procedures and regulations which require technical understanding and knowledge of the US Immigration laws.
- Develops and maintains strong contacts across a diverse range of contacts in law enforcement, immigration, judicial authorities, and other relevant sectors to assist in performing the duties.
3. Clerical and Other Duties (20%)
- Prepares IV files for adjudications, ensure they are error free, prints visas and assembles travel packets for issuances. Passes back visaed passports and travel packets, explains US travel and immigration regulations to new immigrants. Employee may be designated as back-up consular sub-cashier and the primary NIV assistant, or mentor newly recruited staff or control officer to consular TDYers. Re-invites applicants by phone or email to appear at the consular section after Administrative review has been completed, ensures that Medical reports with Class A medical condition are inserted in the beneficiaries' files.
- Contact waiver applicants upon receipt of decisions from the Nebraska Service Center Lockbox. Cordinates consular LGF processing of comebacks returnees ensuring that come-back related guidelines are respected. Drafts SOPs when required.
- Contacts petitioners and beneficiaries for case status updates after consular office's secondary review.
- Manages the locking up of PII in the filing cabinet by a roster system.
- Incumbent will perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Applicants must address each required qualification listed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.
EDUCATION: Successful completion of two years of university studies (HND, DEUG, BTS, DUT, or equivalent diploma) is required.
EXPERIENCE: At least two years of progressively responsible experience in the application of regulatory material, in public contract work, or in visa work in an international organization or a large local institution is required.
LANGUAGE: Level IV English (Fluency) Speaking/Reading/Writing of English and Level III French (Good Working Knowledge) Speaking/Reading/Writing of French are required. (This will be tested.)
SKILLS AND ABILITIES: The incumbent should be able to exercise tact and judgment in dealing with the public; work under pressure; draft correspondence in English; and determine when case matters are serious and/or complex as to require assistance from the Consular Specialist or Consular Officer. (This will be tested.)
JOB KNOWLEDGE: Applicant must be able to acquire a broad knowledge of applicable immigrant and non-immigrant visa laws, regulations and procedures.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants must submit the following documents to be considered. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.
- Universal Application for Employment (UAE) (Form DS-174), which is available on our website or by contacting Human Resources. (See “For Further Information” above);
- Any additional documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. transcripts, degrees, etc.)
WHERE TO APPLY:
Human Resources Office:
P.O. Box 817, Tel.: 222-201-500, Ext 4006, U.S. Embassy Yaoundé, Cameroon
E-mail Address: ydeapplicants@state.gov (Please, indicate the title of the position on the “Subject:” line)