Jobs Opportunities

Consular Fraud Prevention Assistant

VACANCY No:             04-09

OPEN TO:                  All Interested Candidates within and outside the Mission

POSITION:                 Consular Fraud Prevention Assistant

OPENING DATE:          July 24, 2009

CLOSING DATE:          August 7, 2009

WORK HOURS:            Full-time; 40 hours/week

GRADE:                     *Not-Ordinarily Resident:  FP-6 (To be confirmed by 
                                Washington)
                               *Ordinarily Resident: FSN-8

ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.
SEE DEFINITION FOR “NOT-ORDINARILY RESIDENT” BELOW.

The United States Embassy in Freetown is seeking individual for the position of Consular Fraud Prevention Assistant.  The position is located in the Consular Section and reports to the Consular Fraud Prevention Manager.

MAJOR FUNCTION OF THE POSITION:

Conducts a variety of investigations into various types of visa fraud, marriage fraud, and other consular matters, including requests initiated by the neighboring posts, the Department, congress, or the Department of Homeland Security.  Conducts interviews and examines a variety of official documentary records to obtain requisite information, such as establishing the identity of a visa applicant or an applicant whose naturalization is pending, or establishing whether an applicant meets stated eligibility requirements.  May be required to ascertain whether the person under investigation is indeed related to a U.S. citizen, whether such a person is the minor, unmarried son or daughter of a principal applicant for an immigrant visa.  Evaluates evidence obtained and submits a written report containing pertinent facts and conclusions reached for review by the Consular Officer.  Uses the fraud computer database to track and record work performed.

Develops and maintains extensive contacts with local officials 268179including the police, Registrars of law courts, police, immigration, churches, and mosques to verify court orders, claims of education, marriage or other status.  Develops and maintains contacts with members of local committees to various suburbs across Sierra Leone and the Peninsula.  Frequently visits various locations in and out of Freetown to obtain information.  Maintains a library of specimen documents, signatures, and other information useful in verifying applicant's claims.

As assigned, supports the other Consular Assistants in the provision of all consular services including emergency and non-emergency U.S. Citizen Services and processing of visas. Will be crossed trained in other consular work.
                          
A copy of the complete position description listing all duties and responsibilities is available at http://freetown.usembassy.gov/job_opportunities.html 
                                                      
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

NOTE:  All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.

1.    Education:  Completion of secondary school and two years of college or university study.

2.  Experience:   Two to four years progressively responsible experience in investigative  work such as that requiring extensive work in document verification.

3.    English Ability:  Level 3 English Language ability (good working knowledge) in reading and spoken English.  Level 4 Krio language (fluent) speaking required.  Level 3 Temne or Mende (working knowledge) recommended.

4.    Other Criteria:  At full performance level, the incumbent must demonstrate thorough knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, procedures, and familiarity with patterns of fraud in Sierra Leone.  Knowledge of documentary sources of information.  Familiarity with local laws relating to such aspects as marriage, divorce, adoption, and legitimations.  Good understanding of applicable visa requirements.  Knowledge of American citizen rights, benefits and processing procedures.  Must understand the terrain, locations, and communities within the peninsular and up country.

5.    Other Skills:  Thorough knowledge on the use of computer programs. Ability to apply good judgment in evaluating evidence and to apply relatively complex regulations correctly.  Ability to draft well-written reports.  Ability to work in a stressful and high productivity environment. 

6.     Interpersonal skills:  Ability to deal with the public in a courteous manner.  Ability to develop and maintain an extensive range of contacts in the locality. Ability to communicate well with supervisors.  Ability to work with all levels of individuals both from within the Mission and the public.
 
SELECTION PROCESS:

When equally qualified, US Citizen Eligible Family Members (AEFMs) and U.S. Veterans will be given preference.  Therefore, it is essential that the candidate address the required qualifications above in the application.

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA:

1.   Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency 
status in determining successful candidacy.
 
2.  Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply.

3.  Current Ordinarily Resident employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs 
Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Performance Report are not eligible to apply.

4.  Currently employed US Citizen EFMs who hold Family Member Appointment (FMA) are ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their employment.

5.   Currently employed NORs hired under a Personal Services Agreement (PSA) are  ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their employment, unless currently hired into a position with a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.

TO APPLY

Interested applicants for this position must submit the following or the application will not be considered:

1.    Application for U.S. Federal Employment (SF-171 or OF-612); available on the internet at http://freetown.usembassy.gov/job_opportunities.html or

2.    A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information as an OF-612; plus

3.    Candidates who claim U.S. Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application.

4.    Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO

The Human Resources Section
(Application for Consular Fraud Investigator)
Embassy of the United States of America
Southridge, Hill Station
Freetown
FAX:  515-075

NOTE: Only short listed applicants will be contacted. 
DEFINITIONS

1.    AEFM:  A type of EFM that is eligible for direct hire employment on either a Family Member Appointment (FMA) or Temporary Appointment (TEMP) provided s/he meets all of the following criteria:

      --US citizen;

      --Spouse or child who is at least age 18;

      --Listed on the travel orders of a Foreign or Civil Service or uniformed service
      member permanently assigned to or stationed at a US Foreign Service post or
      establishment abroad with a USG agency that is under COM authority;

      --Is resident at the sponsoring employee’s or uniform service member’s post of
      assignment abroad, or at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan and

      ---Does not receive a U.S. Government retirement annuity or pension from a career in the U.S. Foreign or Civil Service. Other family members or dependents on direct-hire Foreign, Civil, or uniformed service member’s travel orders are not AEFMs or US Citizen EFMs for purpose of 3 FAM 8200.

2.    EFM: Family Members at least age 18 listed on the travel orders of a Foreign of Civil Service or uniformed service member permanently assigned to or stationed to a US Foreign Service post or establishment abroad with a USG agency that is under COM authority who do not meet the definition of AEFM above.

3.    Member of Household:  A MOH is a person who: 1) Has accompanied, but is not/not on the travel orders of a U.S. citizen Foreign or Civil Service employee or uniform service member permanently assigned to or stationed at a U.S. Foreign service post or establishment abroad; 2) Has been declared by the sponsoring employee to the Chief of Mission as part of his/her household; and 3) Resides at post with the sponsoring employee.

4.    Ordinarily Resident (OR):  A citizen of the host country or a citizen of another country who has shifted the main residency focus to the host country and has the required work and/or residency permits for employment in country.

5.    Not-Ordinarily Resident (NOR):  Typically NORs are US Citizen EFMs and EFMs of FS, GS, and uniformed service members who are eligible for employment under an American USG pay plan, on the travel orders and under Chief of Mission authority, or other personnel having diplomatic privileges and immunities.

CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION: 

August 7, 2009 The US Mission in Freetown 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. The Department of State also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.

The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation.  Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.