Duties
Processes immigration petitions and applications, including giving recommendations on the proper disposition of requests for immigration benefits. Liaises with the public, U.S. and international government agencies, international and non-governmental organizations on a wide range of immigration matters within the jurisdiction of the U.S citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) Nairobi Field Office. Facilitates the operations of USCIS Nairobi through reporting, identity verification, fraud detection, and other support activities.
Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:
EXPERIENCE:
Minimum of five years of experience reviewing, researching, and analyzing petitions and applications for immigration benefits involving complex regulatory framework; and extensive customer service experience is required.
JOB KNOWLEDGE:
Knowledge of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and related court decisions, policies, and procedures, as well as knowledge of Kenyan civil and criminal law. Working knowledge of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and its relevant systems. Familiarity with the U.S. Refugee Access Program and its implementing partners. Strong comprehension of the Foreign Affairs Manual. Familiarity with U.S. Embassy Nairobi’s organizational structures and procedures.Education Requirements:
Mandatory:
- Bachelor’s Degree in law, international relations, or political science or business relations is required.
Evaluations:
LANGUAGE:
Level IV English (Fluent; reading/speaking/writing) (This may be tested).
Level III Kiswahili, Somali or Tigrinya (Good working knowledge; speaking/reading/writing) is required.
Must have excellent oral and written communication skills in English and second language (Kiswahili, Somali or Tigrinya, including strong presentation skills, the ability to persuade and mobile stakeholders, and the ability to prepare professional reports.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with a broad range of individuals, government entities, and organizations.
Self-motivation and the ability to work independently in an efficient and timely manner.
Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
Ability to work in a cooperative, team oriented manner.
Ability to monitor and analyze projects in various stages of design and implementation, including developing spreadsheets and reports, to ensure timely achievement of deliverables.
Ability to analyze the most complex and/or sensitive applications and petitions and to apply a complex body of law to make authoritative recommendations.
Ability to independently organize and execute work, including numerous conflicting demands.
Ability to work under extreme pressure to independently organize and execute work effectively and efficiently.
Ability to use many and varied sources to research applications and petitions.
Ability to deal directly with the public effectively and courteously.
Must be extremely detail oriented and have an excellent ability to calculate, review, and assemble numerical data.
Must exercise tact and good judgement in dealing with the public and government officials and remain objective in emotional and tense situations while effectively explaining the law, policies, and procedures.
Must be able to draft difficult and sensitive correspondence and reports in clear, precise, and correct English.
Must be able to comprehend, interpret, and analyze complex legislative changes in U.S. immigration law to provide clear, concise, and authoritative guidance to others, including Department of State employees.
Ability to exercise a high-level of discretion with respect to confidential or sensitive information.
Must be proficient in utilizing broad knowledge of computer applications and systems
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO): The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.Qualifications:
All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.
Benefits and Other Info
Benefits:Agency Benefits:
Locally Employed Staff, including Members of Household (MOHs), and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), working at the U.S. Mission in Nairobi, Kenya may receive a compensation package that may include health, separation, and other benefits.
For EFMs, benefits should be discussed with the Human Resources Office.
The pay plan is assigned at the time of the conditional offer letter by the HR Office.Other Information:
HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS: Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below. Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.
HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:
- AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
- AEFM / USEFM
- FS on LWOP and CS with reemployment rights **
* IMPORTANT: Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”), equivalent documentation, or certification. A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given.
** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.
For more information (i.e., what is an EFM, USEFM, AEFM, MOH, etc.?) and for additional employment considerations, please visit the following link.
THE FOLLOWING APPLY TO EFMs, USEFMs, and AEFMs ONLY:
- Current employees who used a hiring preference to gain employment who are within their first 90 calendar days of employment are not eligible to apply.
- Candidates with a hiring preference who have already accepted a conditional offer of employment may NOT be extended a second conditional offer of employment unless and until they withdraw their candidacy for the first position in writing.
- The following may also be considered when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, etc.
- ** If selected, EFMs are expected to serve in the positon for at least one year from the date of hire, and their sponsor’s tour of duty must allow sufficient time for this.
How to Apply
How to Apply:
All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Public Trust clearance.
To apply for this position click the “Submit Application” button. For more information on how to apply visit the Mission internet site.Required Documents:
In order to qualify based on education, you MUST submit the requested diploma and / or transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you will not be considered for this position.
- Copy of Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent)
- Residency and/or Work Permit
- Degree degree in law, international relations, or political science or business relations
- Curriculum-vitae (CV)
- DD-214 – Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
- SF-50 (if applicable)
Next Steps:
Applicants who are invited to take a language or skills test, or who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email.
For further information – the complete position description listing all of the duties, responsibilities, required qualifications, etc. may be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Office.
Thank you for your application and your interest in working at the U.S. Mission in Nairobi, Kenya.
