Summary: The U.S. Mission in Nairobi is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Immigration Assistant in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The work schedule for this position is: Full Time (40 hours per week)

Start date: Candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.

Supervisory Position: No

Salary/Grade: Position Grade: FP-6; FSN-8 (Kshs. 2,474,341 - 4,106,283 per year)

Who May Apply: All Interested Applicants / All Sources (Actual FS salary determined by Washington D.C.)                                                  

Security Clearance Required: Local Security Certification

Duration Appointment: Indefinite subject to successful completion of probationary period 

Marketing Statement:  We encourage you to read and understand the Eight (8) Qualities of Overseas Employees before you apply.

https://careers.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Eight-Qualities-of-Overseas-Employees.pdf

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 Nairobi Field Office.  Facilitates the operations of USCIS Nairobi through reporting, identity verification, fraud detection, and other support activities.

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. 

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.

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.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

 

• Must be proficient in utilizing broad knowledge of computer applications and systems.
• Must be able to analyze the most complex and/or sensitive applications and petitions and to apply a complex body of law to make authoritative recommendations.
• Must be able to monitor and analyze projects in various stages of design and implementation, including developing spreadsheets and reports, to ensure timely achievement of deliverables.
• 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 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 use many and varied sources to research applications and petitions.
• 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.
• Must be extremely detail oriented and have an excellent ability to calculate, review, and assemble numerical data.

Qualifications: All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.  

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. 

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:

(1)        AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*

(2)        AEFM / USEFM

(3)        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:  https://careers.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/VA-Definitions-and-Additional-Employment-Considerations.pdf

THE FOLLOWING APPLY TO EFMs, USEFMs, and AEFMs ONLY:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. The following may also be considered when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, etc.

How to Apply:  All candidates must be able to obtain a Local Security Certification.

Interested candidates for this position must submit their application to the following for consideration: https://erajobs.state.gov/dos-era/ken/vacancysearch/searchVacancies.hms

 

Required Documents: Please provide the required documentation listed below with your application:

• Residency and/or Work Permit (If applicable)
• DD-214 - Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Bachelor’s degree in law, international relations, or political science or business relations.

 

What to Expect Next: 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 from the recruitment website.

https://erajobs.state.gov/dos-era/ken/vacancysearch/searchVacancies.hms

Thank you for your application and your interest in working at the U.S. Mission in Nairobi, Kenya