The incumbent provides U.S. citizen services for Kenya and Somalia in accordance with U.S. Department of State and Post policies and procedures
The incumbent is responsible for the full range of emergency and non-emergency services, including welfare and whereabouts services, repatriations, citizenship renunciations, births, deaths, arrests, processing passports and citizenship services, federal benefit payments and translation.
The incumbent regularly develops contacts and communicates with both Kenyan and Somali host government officials, immigration officials, police, prison and mortuary associates, as needed, to be able to extend aid and support to U.S. citizens in crisis or times of emergency.
The incumbent is rated by the ACS LE Supervisor and reviewed by the ACS Chief.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Special Consular Services (40%)
With limited direction, the incumbent must handle a variety of ACS cases including deaths, arrests, destitution and repatriation cases, psychiatric and medical emergencies, child custody, abduction and welfare and whereabouts checks. With experience, the employee develops expertise in recognizing U.S. citizens in need of assistance and uses good judgment and tact to provide services. The incumbent must have good knowledge of both Kenyan and Somali law and society, knowledge of Department guidelines, and a good understanding of the workings of the State Department, other agencies at post, and other government bodies. The employee frequently accompanies an American officer on jail or hospital visits, welfare and whereabouts visits involving child custody and International Parental Child Abduction (IPCA) cases, or to meeting with government and other officials. The employee may accompany an American officer to cities throughout Kenya and Somali to assist with consular outreach and emergency and routine services. The employee maintains contacts with deputy-level officials from government bodies to assist U.S. citizens in times of crisis and with relevant offices in the Bureau of Consular Affairs and other agencies at post including FBI, DHS and ICE. The incumbent advises the ACS LES Team Lead and 03 ACS Unit Chief on cases of suspected fraud or criminal activity.
Routine Consular Services (40%)
Handles passport and citizenship cases, accepting passport applications (both first-time and renewals, both regular and diplomatic) and consular report of birth (CRBA) applications and delivering newly issued documents to applicants or a contracted courier service. The incumbent is knowledgeable about Department regulations that apply to these services and Kenyan and Somali law, respective to related citizenship and immigration matters, and exercises discretion in bringing cases involving suspected fraud of child custody disputes to the attention of supervisors as appropriate. Ensures disposal and storage of records, applications and other information in accordance with FAM guidelines and other regulations.
Responsible for dispersing Federal Benefits (FB) checks to recipients in the consular district, accepting certain (FB) applications and conducting verifications. Monitors and enrolls registration requests of U.S. citizens for STEP overseas traveler program.
Contact and Resource Development, Correspondence and translation (20%)
Research, identify, and develop relationships with contacts including, but not limited to, government officials, airline representatives, funeral homes, police, and others who can provide assistance to U.S. citizens during personal or large scale emergencies. Conduct outreach to U.S. citizens on the importance of documenting new children, how to vote overseas and facilitating delivering ballots to the United Sates. Respond to telephone, email and written correspondence to U.S. citizen questions congressional inquiries and triage emergency cases. Recruit and develop relationships with U.S. Citizen Liaison Volunteers (CLV) for Kenya and Somalia and coordinate Post’s American Liaison Network (ALN) to disseminate information and assist U.S. citizens. Provide translation from Somali or Kiswahili to officers providing services and in meetings or during phone conversations. Must also read review, and translate documents in Kiswahili or Somali for officers.
