Visa Processing Officers Needed At Australian High Commission, Kenya

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Roles available: Visa Processing Officers – LE 3; Senior Visa Processing Officers – LE 4

Expected vacancies: Multiple

Vacancy type: Ongoing (permanent) and non-ongoing roles

 

The roles

Applications are invited for visa processing officer positions, level 3 (LE3) and level 4 (LE4), at the Department of Home Affairs (Immigration and Border Protection section) at the Australian High Commission, Nairobi.

Both the LE3 Visa Processing Officers (VPO) and LE4 Senior Visa Processing Officers (SVPOs) work under the general direction of a manager to review, progress, assess, and finalise varying aspects of visa applications. LE4 Senior Visa Processing Officers (SVPOs) provide more specialised and skilled visa support to their Team Leader. They work more independently on special projects and can assist with more complex case management.

The key responsibilities of these positions include, but are not limited to:

• Undertaking visa related casework. Applying the relevant legislation and policy to support lawful and fair decisions in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations
• Working within stated service standards in a pressured environment, escalating sensitive and complex cases to senior staff in accordance with office protocols
• Preparing moderately complex written documentation for visa applicants and client correspondence
• Liaising with internal and external stakeholders on moderately complex operational and administrative matters
• Preparing recommendations for senior staff based on research and well-established policy and practices
• Maintaining records, including, but not limited to, client files and financial management
• Organising and taking responsibility for own workload, working cooperatively and harmoniously to deliver services in accordance with the client service charter standards and program outcomes
• Supporting risk management strategies and integrity standards in visa processing, including by maintaining knowledge of risk profiles and indicators in caseloads and reporting integrity concerns and trends
• Investigating the integrity of documents and other information in connection with visa applications
• Requesting and reviewing additional information to support visa applications
• Working in a team environment, assist with team tasks and assist with training of new staff

Required qualifications/experience:

• Strong written and oral English communication skills
• Demonstrated sensitivity to the needs of clients from a variety of backgrounds and with varying demands. Such situations may include telephone interaction, interviews, liaison, and representation, preparing reports and correspondence
• Demonstrated ability to respond and adapt to change. apply initiative, flexibility, and willingness to pursue continued improvement in the context of change within the organisation
• Highly developed time management skills, both individually and as part of a team, and the ability to work effectively, cooperatively, and flexibly in a team environment to respond to priorities and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated analytical skills with an ability to use multiple datasets and/or interpret and apply complex legislation and apply sound judgement in all cases
• Proficiency in computer software applications including Microsoft Word and Excel, and the capacity to learn new systems

Desirable qualifications/experience:

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field
• Experience in an application processing environment

How to apply

For any application to be ELIGIBLE, and therefore considered, it must:

• Be written in English.
• Include a Resume (CV) and Statement of Claims. These must be combined into a single (1) .pdf format document (i.e., do not submit as two separate attachments). Links to/or files shared by OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, or any other external repository location will not be considered.

1. Resume (CV) (maximum of two A4 pages) outlining previous relevant work experience and achievements. Please include the names and contact details (phone number and email addresses) of two referees that we have your consent to contact.
2. Statement of Claims (maximum of one A4 page) addressing each selection criterion below in. In addressing each criterion, please ensure that you provide example(s) based on previous experience to demonstrate your capability.
   1. Understands – Provide an example when you have interpreted and applied legislation, policies, and procedures to make a decision;
   2. Connects – Provide an example when you have demonstrated a high level of written and oral communication skills (using English) to effectively communicate with clients from diverse backgrounds;
   3. Innovates – Describe a situation where you have shown initiative to improve workplace practices or processes.

• Be submitted in one email to  [email protected] with email subject name, ‘Application for LE3 and LE4 – [insert first name and last name]’. For example, Application for LE3 and LE4 – James Hannington. Note that there is no need to specify the position level in your application as successful applicants will be offered the position at the level that best match their qualifications and experiences.

Please also indicate in your application how you have heard about the vacancy, i.e., the High Commission website, Facebook, etc.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 22^nd April  2025, 4.30pm (Nairobi Time).

Applicants shortlisted for interview will be required to demonstrate language skills and may also be asked to undertake a Work Sample Test.

Contract Conditions

Position:	Visa Processing Officer (VPO) – LE3	Senior Visa Processing Officer (SVPO) – LE4
Commencement salary:	Kes. 161,213.00 per month	Kes. 215,354.00 per month
Vacancy type:	Ongoing (permanent) and non-ongoing	Ongoing (permanent) and non-ongoing
Date of commencement:	To be confirmed	To be confirmed
Working hours:	Full time (37.5 hours per week)	Full time (37.5 hours per week)
Probationary Period:	Three months	Three months
Place of Work:	Australian High Commission, Nairobi, Kenya	Australian High Commission, Nairobi, Kenya

Employment will be subject to satisfactory medical and police/security checks. The actual start date will be confirmed following the outcome of the police/security checks, which will be carried out in Kenya.

It is the employees’ responsibility to obtain the relevant documents and ensure that they comply with immigration regulations that relate to their employment with the Australian High Commission in Kenya. Prospective applicants are advised to check to ensure they are authorised to work in Kenya.

Please note that only ELIGIBLE applications will be considered, and only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview and provided with feedback on the selection process, on request.

Application Tips for Visa Processing Officer Roles

Before you submit your application for the Visa Processing Officer (LE3) or Senior Visa Processing Officer (LE4) positions at the Australian High Commission in Nairobi, these essential tips will help you distinguish yourself from other candidates. By following this advice, you can ensure your application catches the attention of HR managers and positions you as a strong contender for these rewarding roles.

For more details, click the link below

Application tips

Senior Public Diplomacy Officer, LE5

 The role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is to advance the interests of Australia and Australians internationally. This involves strengthening Australia’s security, enhancing Australia’s prosperity, delivering an effective and high-quality overseas aid program and helping Australian travellers and Australians overseas.

The department provides foreign, trade and development policy advice to the Australian Government. DFAT also works with other Australian Government agencies to drive coordination of Australia’s pursuit of global, regional and bilateral interests.

About the Position

The Australian High Commission (AHC) in Nairobi is recruiting new members to join our Political and Economic Section. We are looking for people who can help us to strengthen Australia’s engagement across East Africa (Kenya, Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Tanzania). Our ideal candidate is someone who is upbeat, proactive and enjoys collaboration.

Under limited direction, the Senior Public Diplomacy Officer will take forward Australia’s public diplomacy portfolio, building upon and promoting the broad range of Australian engagement in East Africa.  Reporting to Second Secretary (Political), the role will manage and oversee the planning and delivery of AHC events and functions and develop and manage related social media campaigns.

The position is at the LE5 level with a commencing consolidated monthly base salary of KES 262,372.00. The successful candidate will be expected to provide evidence of entitlement to work in Kenya by virtue of citizenship or relevant work permit.

The key responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Manage, plan and coordinate a range of events and initiatives in East Africa that have a public diplomacy objective, including managing the delivery of multiple concurrent events, coordinating stakeholders, speakers and other logistical arrangements such as guest lists, catering, entertainment and technical support.
• Plan, develop and implement a coordinated public diplomacy strategy to promote a positive image of Australia in East Africa and contribute innovative ideas to Public Diplomacy meetings, including the development of social media content and campaigns.
• Manage and coordinate contract management including developing scope, managing tendering processes and monitoring contract performance in accordance with departmental guidelines.
• Manage the AHC’s social media accounts.
• Manage and provide guidance to a social media contractor.
• Manage and report on the public diplomacy budget and resources. Analyse financial information and update management on expenditure and risk in accordance with departmental guidelines.
• Represent and promote Australia’s interests at a range of forums, events and meetings and provide advice on operational and policy issues.
• Establish, develop and maintain strong working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders including contacts in other diplomatic missions, function centres, event contractors and catering suppliers, as well as DFAT’s security and property teams.
• Contribute to the planning of high-level visits and events/meetings, oversee logistical arrangements and contribute to briefings.
• Perform other duties and backup as required.

Qualifications/Experience/Behaviours

• Relevant qualifications and/or a strong track record of experience in one or more of the following fields: event management, public or cultural affairs.
• Experience in planning large social or formal functions, including guest list management and contracting. 
• Digital media literacy, familiarity with popular platforms, ability to develop and run social media campaigns and strategies.
• Strong communication skills for stakeholder engagement and providing advice.
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills. 
• Strong adherence to ethical behaviour and ability to work flexibly in a diverse work setting.
• Sound judgement and decision-making when prioritising multiple deadlines to deliver work in a timely manner.

• Highly motivated and able to work mostly independently or under limited guidance.
• Strong organisation and time management skills, attention to detail and ability to multi-task and reprioritise in response to changing requirements.
• Capacity to plan and set priorities, and work with limited supervision as a productive member of a small team.
• Demonstrated ability to be creative, take initiative, recognise opportunities for improvement, and implement change.

 

How to apply

Your application, consisting of a CV and a cover letter detailing your suitability for, and interest in, the position should be sent to [email protected] no later than 22 April 2025. Late submissions will not be considered. Please carefully consider the full job description before applying. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. If you progress through the selection process, the Australian High Commission in Kenya will invite you to an interview, written test and probity checks.