Visa Assistant

October 18th, 2021 at 09:43 am

Job Summary

The U.S. Mission in Accra, Ghana is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Visa Assistant.  The schedule for this position is Full time 40 hours per week.

Duties

• Basic Function of the Position – Perform clerical work pertaining to visa processing and perform other consular duties, such as crisis response, as required.
• Be equally operationally effective with nonimmigrant, immigrant, and diversity visa and other travel document processing.
• Properly handle personal identifiable information (PII) and other sensitive information.
• With regards to consular services: properly accept applications and documents; input and verify data; prepare electronic and paper case files; draft internal and external communication; manage applicants and other consular clients; handle, transmit, archive, retrieve, and dispose of consular files.  

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements:

EXPERIENCE: 

• Three years of progressively responsible experience in a position of trust (i.e., handling money or sensitive materials) involving application of regulations to individual cases.
• Prior work experience must involve direct contact with customers.

JOB KNOWLEDGE: 

• Understanding of the Consular Leadership Tenets. Progressively greater knowledge of the primary regulatory authority for visa processing, the 9 FAM.
• Knowledge of customer service precepts. Knowledge of specific protocols for protecting PII and other sensitive information.

Education Requirements:

At least two years of post-secondary study is required.

Evaluations:

LANGUAGE: 

Level IV English required in speaking, reading and writing (fluent). Must be a native speaker of a Ghanaian language and a competent speaker of a least two Ghanaian languages (Language proficiency will be tested.)

SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Must be absolutely trustworthy as this is a position of trust, involving the handling and safe-keeping of highly sensitive items such as U.S. visa foils. Able to type 25 wpm.
• After training, ability to use both the NIV and the IVO Consular automated systems. Ability to provide excellent customer service at all times.

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

Benefits:

Agency Benefits:

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