OPEN TO: All Interested Candidates / All Sources
POSITION: Consular Investigations Assistant
CLOSING DATE: November 13, 2017
WORK HOURS: Full time, 40 hours/week
SALARY: Ordinarily Resident (OR): FSN-08
The U.S. Mission in Yaounde, Cameroon is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Consular Investigations Assistant. This position is located in Yaounde, Cameroon.
BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION
The incumbent is responsible for conducting a variety of fraud investigations throughout Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea in regards to American Citizen Services, counterfeit/forged documents, passport, visa, adoption, relationship, and identity fraud. He/She conducts a variety of investigations into other consular matters, including requests initiated by neighboring Embassies, the Department of State, Congress, or the Department of Homeland Security. He/She conducts interviews and examines a variety of official documentary records to obtain requisite information, such as establishing the true identity of a visa applicant or an applicant whose naturalization is pending, or establishing whether an applicant meets stated eligibility requirements. The incumbent will also work with Embassy staff and host nation personnel and liaise with U.S., host-nation government and law enforcement officials, and other foreign mission contacts to collect, analyze, and disseminate fraud information.
Detailed Duties and Responsibilities for Consular Investigations Assistant:
The incumbent will conduct both routine and complex fraud investigations, focusing primarily on consular cases involving counterfeit/forged documents, relationship and identity fraud, and passport, visa, and adoption fraud. He/She will travel, either with a consular officer, consular Eligible Family Member (EFM), or independently, to many regions of the host country as appropriate in carrying out investigations. He/She will direct the activities of other Locally Employed Staff (LES) when they are tasked to support fraud investigations. He/She will prepare written reports detailing the results of investigations and track investigative activity in a case tracking system. (80%)
Outreach
Serves as bridge between the officers, the public, the government, and other foreign missions in reporting fraud trends and various ways to combat or reduce fraud with a goal towards fraud prevention. Travels to local communities to meet government officials as well as the private sector to explain embassy's anti-fraud program and to develop procedures for regular checks of various letters and/or documents submitted to obtain visas. Identifies and builds relationships with relevant authorities (Ambassadors, Political Party Leaders, Vice Ministers, Directors, Civil Status Registrars, Court Officials, Heads of Services) in various types of visa and Consular matters. (5%)
Section Liaison with Law Enforcement
Works with Cameroonian civil authorities to investigate cases and share information about fraud trends. Works with Assistant Regional Security Officer on investigations that could result in prosecution for visa or passport fraud. Takes fingerprints of visa applicants with potential ineligibilities and derogatory information for processing by the FBI. Works with DHS to conduct investigation of asylum and other immigration benefit claimants. Meets with Ministry and local government officials to verify documents; maintains contacts with authorities and local governments (Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea) for purposes of authenticating documents; maintains and develops file of authorized signatories at government Ministries and offices, as well as at key private entities (banks, major corporations). Serves as back-up for visa assistants, reviewing cases for completeness, entering data and taking fingerprints, both electronically and inked. (5%)
Training
Assist in training new officers and consular LES on fraud trends in Cameroon. Work with Regional Security Officer in training local officials and foreign missions as required. (5%)
Additional Duties:
Assists in consular processing or other duties as assigned by the consular chief or his/her backup, including providing services to American citizens and visa services, responding to public inquiries about consular procedures and the status of particular cases, and responding to requests by the Department. (5%)
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 College/University studies (DEUG, BTS, HND, or equivalent) is required.
EXPERIENCE: At least two years of progressively responsible experience in investigative work in a law firm or legal department or a claims investigative organization or other closely related field or two years of experience working as an Embassy Consular or Visa Clerk is required.
LANGUAGE: Level III (Good Working Knowledge) speaking/reading/writing English and French are required. (This will be tested.)
SKILLS AND ABILITIES: The incumbent must possess excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. He/She must have good computer, data-management, and time-management skills. He/She must be able to operate with little to no supervision in dynamic and possibly hazardous environments. (This will be tested.)
JOB KNOWLEDGE: The incumbent should have a high-level working knowledge of Cameroonian culture, geography, ethnic groups, socio-economic issues, language and government bureaucracy. The incumbent should also be aware of Cameroonian law enforcement practices. He/She must have detailed knowledge of criminal investigations, immigration and visa fraud, citizenship claims and benefits fraud. The incumbent must have basic knowledge of US immigration law, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations and policies, Department of State consular regulations and policies, and Embassy consular policies and practices to all consular clients. He/She should be familiar with Cameroonian civil law as it applies to identity and relationships.
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 Yaounde, Cameroon
- E-mail Address: ydeapplicants@state.gov
- Indicate the position title on the subject line.