An opportunity is available for a suitable qualified and experienced Consular Assistant for United States Embassy, Lilongwe in Malawi.
The successful candidate will serve as Consular Assistant under the direction of the Consular Section Chief, providing clerical support to the American Citizen Services (ACS), Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV), Fraud Prevention, and Correspondence Units of the Consular Section.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Performs a full range of clerical tasks as needed in ACS, IV, and NIV cases including but not limited to checking customer’s online application forms for completion and accuracy, manual entry of application data into automated consular systems, prescreening application forms/data noting discrepancies to be brought to interviewing officer’s attention, printing of visas, quality-assurance checks on printed documents, preparing completed travel documents for courier delivery, filing, shredding, passport passback, and other related tasks.
- Collects digital fingerprints in NIV and IVO with speed and accuracy.
- Answers routine inquiries from consular customers both over the phone and via email.
- Consular Cashier: The incumbent functions as the primary cashier for the Consular section, which entails collecting fees for Non-Immigrant Visas, Immigrant Visas, American Citizen Services and the Department of Homeland Security. Visa fees are specific to the applicants’ nationality and visa type and are in perpetual flux so the incumbent must constantly maintain his knowledge of Department’s policies in this area.
- He/She must also follow strict guidelines and be well-versed in Consular Controls.
- This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the incumbent.
POSITION ELEMENTS:
- Supervision Received:
- Under direct supervision of Consular Section Chief.
- Supervision Exercised:
- None
- Available Guidelines:
- Immigration and Naturalization Act, Foreign Affairs Manual 7 FAM, 9 FAM, FAH, Immigration and Nationality Act, FSI training materials, online CA materials/guidelines, correspondence handbook, E-Diplomacy communities SharePoint forums and regional consular officer guidance.
- Exercise of Judgment:
- Good judgement in referring matters to higher authority is required.
- A high degree of judgement is necessary in pre-screening applications for accurate and updated documentation.
- Tact when dealing with the public and host government officials is required.
- A demonstrated ability to make independent decisions with limited information and input from a supervisor is required.
- Authority to Make Commitments:
- None
- Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts:
- Interaction with the members of the Consular section, members of other sections in the Mission, working-level host government contacts, VIPs, diplomatic community, Congressional staffers, lawyers, NGOs and the public, for the purpose of providing information on U.S. visa and immigration law facilitating support for American citizens in need of consular services.
- Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level:
- One year.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Education:
- Successful completion of two years of college is required.
- Prior Work Experience:
- Two years’ experience in progressively responsible clerical work involving direct contact with the public and regular use of legal and regulatory materials is required.
- Post Entry Training:
- Consular PC-102NIV, PA-102 IV, PC-103, PC-104, PC-120, PC-401, PC-402, PA-459, PA-453, PS-800, EX-251, PC-419 and ACRS online cashier trainings is required.
- Language Proficiency:
- English level IV (fluent) reading/speaking is required.
- Chichewa level IV (fluent) speaking is required.
- Job Knowledge:
- Must be able to learn and apply substantive and procedural requirements for consular operations.
- A basic knowledge of applicable U.S. immigration laws, State Department regulations and the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) is required.
- On-the-job training will be provided to the successful applicant upon selection.
- Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to learn automated Consular-specific applications is required.
- Courtesy and tact when dealing with the public is required.
- Impeccable integrity, strong initiative, and good judgement are required.
- Ability to work collegially with co-workers under pressure is required.
- Strong computer, word processing and typing skills.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Problem solving ability.
- Must be detail oriented.
