Consular Officer at Embassy of Ireland, Kenya -DFA

Roles and Responsibilities:

The precise range of duties will vary over time according to the needs of the Embassy, but will include the following:

Consular Services Delivery and Monitoring

• Taking receipt of and processing visa applications for travel to Ireland, and liaising with Headquarters in Ireland, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice on any issues;
• Taking receipt of and processing applications for passports, Foreign Birth Registrations, emergency travel documents, and other consular services as required;
• Assisting the diplomatic staff at the Embassy in providing consular assistance to Irish citizens and their families;

Records and Database Management

• Maintaining quality consular records in accordance with organisational policies;
• Compiling, editing and submitting reports on consular activities as required by the Embassy and/or Department of Foreign Affairs;
• Maintaining a sufficient stock of visa stickers, passport forms and other necessary documentation, at all times;

Travel advice and security developments

• Remaining abreast of security developments and other issues of relevance to the Embassy’s consular and travel advice in relation to our countries of accreditation, and ensuring that the
• Embassy’s website and travel advice remains up to date.

Support functions

• Other duties as required from time to time and directed by the Ambassador and other diplomatic staff at the Embassy.
• There will be a requirement for some “on-call” work outside of regular office hours.

Essential Requirements candidates must be able to demonstrate:

• Candidates must have a degree, preferably in disciplines such as:
  • Business or Public Administration
  • Office Management
  • Social Sciences
• Candidates must have a minimum of 5 (five) years’ professional experience in a customer facing role;
• Candidates must have previous experience in consular services provision and/or general office administration;
• The candidate must demonstrate using work-based examples of excellent interpersonal skills, being persuasive, working in a team but also dealing effectively with people in external organisations;
• The candidate must provide evidence of flexibility, efficiency and effectiveness showing
• strong organizational skills and excellent attention to detail;
• The candidate must be able to work under pressure and to manage multiple tasks, prioritising based on importance and urgency;
• The candidate must have strong analysis and judgement, and be able to present clear conclusions or recommendations from analysis of different sources and types of information;
• The candidate should provide examples of being solutions-oriented, and committed to delivering results, including by adapting approach if necessary;
• The candidate must be fully bilingual in English and Kiswahili (language test may be included as part of the shortlisting process);
• The candidate must demonstrate using examples, their working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel);
• The candidate must demonstrate integrity and honesty, including through provision of relevant references from current or recent line managers.
• A current police clearance certificate must be provided.
• All applicants must have a permanent legal right to reside and work in Kenya.

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• A good understanding of the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Kenya;
• The successful applicant will work alongside other employees of the Embassy, and will report directly to the Second Secretary at the Mission. Previous experience in a diplomatic mission is desirable;
• Further third level qualifications are an advantage, particularly in the areas of Business Administration of a field relevant to the work of the Embassy.