JOB ADVERT: Consular Investigations Assistant

POSITION: Consular Investigations Assistant

OPENING DATE: January 29, 2016

CLOSING DATE: February 12, 2016 at 16:00

WORK HOURS: Full time, 40 hours/week

SALARY: Ordinarily Resident (OR):  FSN-08 / Not-Ordinarily Resident (NOR):  FP-06

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.

a) 80%

The FSN-I 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. The FSN-I will travel, either with a consular officer, consular EFM, or independently, to many regions of the host country as appropriate in carrying out investigations. The FSN-I will direct the activities of other LES when they are tasked to support fraud investigations. The FSN-I will prepare written reports detailing the results of investigations and track investigative activity in a case tracking system. 

b) Outreach  5%

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.

c) Section Liaison with Law Enforcement  5%

Works with Cameroonian civil authorities to investigate cases and share information about fraud trends.  Works with ARSO-I 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.

d) Training  5%

Assist in training new officers and consular LES on fraud trends in Cameroon. Work with RSO-I in training local officials and foreign missions as required.

e) Additional Duties  5%

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.

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 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.

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates for this position must submit the following document to the Human Resource Office, P.O. Box 817, Yaoundé or via email at: ydeapplicants@state.gov (please, indicate the title of the position on the “ SUBJECT”: line). Electronic are strongly encouraged.

1. Universal application for employment (DS-174) available online at http://yaounde.usembassy.gov; or
2. A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information found on the DS-174