Correspondence Unit Visa Assistant at US Embassy

Announcement Number: Lagos-2019-034
Location: Lagos
Series/Grade: LE - 1405 7
Appointment Type: Permanent
Promotion Potential: LE-7
Hiring Agency: Consulate General Lagos
Work Schedule: Full-time - 40 hours per week
Security Clearance Required: Public Trust - Background Investigation
Appointment Type Details: Indefinite subject to successful completion of probationary period

Basic Function of the Position

• The incumbent responds accurately and efficiently to incoming email, phone and postal mail correspondence regarding American Citizens Services (ACS), Immigrant Visas (IV), and Non-immigrant Visa (NIV) from both the public and Congressional offices.
• S/he reports directly tot he Correspondence Team Leader and works closely with Locally Employed Staff (LE Staff) team leaders, Unit chief, and with the entry-level officer assisting the Correspondence Team Lead.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Administration, Psychology, Law/Criminal Justice or Behavioral Studies is required.

Requirements:

• Experience: Two years of experience in Consular or other work related to customer service, correspondence, and/or application of regulatory material is required.
• Job Knowledge:  Thorough knowledge of immigration laws, regulations and procedures is required. Must have a general cultural knowledge of Nigerian naming conventions and family structures.

Evaluations:

• This may be tested.

Language:

• Level IV (Fluent) Speaking/Reading/Writing in English is required. Level IV (Fluent) Speaking/Reading/Writing in one local Language (Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa) is required. 

Skills and Abilities: 

• Ability to draft correspondence and respond independently to inquires is required. Proficiency in consular computer programs and MS software packages (Word, Excel Outlook).

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
Agency Benefits:

• Locally Employed Staff, including Members of Household (MOHs), and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), working at the U.S. Mission in Lagos, Nigeria 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.

Marketing Statement:

• We encourage you to read and understand the Eight (8) Qualities of Overseas Employees (pdf) before you apply.

Salary

• NGN6,239,644 (USD $36,725)