Background information about the job or company

The U.S. Embassy to Kenya opened in 1964. Through sixteen Ambassadors since then, the Embassy has enriched the ties between the American and Kenyan people and served the needs of Americans in and around this East African hub. Chief among the U.S. Mission’s goals are fostering the development of a sound Kenyan economy, strengthening the institutions of Keny...

Responsibilities or duties

The U.S. Embassy Nairobi Foreign Service National Investigator (FSNI) is responsible for conducting complex and sensitive investigations including personal suitability, fraud, and malfeasance for US Government (USG) agencies operating under the Chief of Mission (COM).

The FSNI maintains liaison with high level host government police, law enforcement and security organizations, customs and immigration officials, and judicial and legislative officials. The FSNI serves as the Regional Security Officer’s advisor on threats to the official U.S. Embassy community and facilities.

The FSNI requests and coordinates support from host nation government (HNG) agencies by leveraging relationships with senior national police and security contacts. The position ensures a variety of safety and security support functions to an Embassy community of over 2000 COM personnel to include background investigations of LE staff to determine their suitability for a security certification required for continued employment with the U.S. government. The FSNI also coordinates with the HNG to provide regular deployment of General Services Unit (GSU), Administration Police Service (APS) and Diplomatic Police Unit (DPU) officers to USG facilities and interests.

The FSNI routinely conducts hotel surveys in various towns for use by Chief of Mission employees on travel. The FSNI also supports the Residential Security team to conduct residential surveys, monthly radio checks, and responding to residential alarms (e.g., in Kisumu). FSNI is responsible for the investigation of malfeasance, fraud, and other misconduct by LE staff as assigned by the RSO. The FSNI is responsible for compiling statistical data on crime, political violence, and terrorism throughout the country. The FSNI can operate as a Deputy to the Senior FSNI, and when directed, as the Acting Senior FSNI.

Major duties and responsibilities

Background and Special Investigations 40%

The FSNI processes background investigations using the Regional Security Office Local Vetting system (RESOLVE) while ensuring each case is submitted in a timely manner according to the Overseas Vetting Guidelines and RSO Nairobi Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). FSNIs must conduct a thorough subject interview and multiple reference interviews to include employment and neighborhood checks.

Liaison for Security Support, Investigations, OSAC, and Training 25%

The FSNI is RSO’s liaison with the Government of Kenya (GoK) law enforcement and security community, and with GoK judicial and legislative officials. The FSNI takes the initiative to arrange meetings with senior level contacts both in Nairobi, and in remote regions of Kenya, to develop information on the security and crime environment that may impact both the public and private American citizen community to include U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) implementing partners and Peace Corps volunteers.

Coordination with Ambassador’s Bodyguard Detail and security for U.S. Government Dignitaries 20%

The FSNI coordinates closely with the Kenyan National Police Service through its various units for provision of armed GSU officers to provide a Personal Security Detail (PSD) to the U.S. Ambassador. The FSNI, working with the Bodyguard Coordinator, coordinates scheduling, attends travel planning meetings, and facilitates U.S. government-provided stipends to the bodyguards.

Threat Analysis for Official Travel and Embassy Operations and Events 15%

In this high threat/high risk environment, COM personnel are restricted from traveling to some regions within Kenya due to ethnic violence and terrorism concerns. Due to constantly evolving security environment, the FSNI provides ongoing analysis to the RSO, which in turn informs the Front Office and Mission agencies planning to conduct diplomacy and development engagement in these areas. The FSNI must review all official trip requests within Kenya, liaise with local police in the destination area, determine if there are any security issues that will impact travel, and provide their analysis to the RSO.

Qualifications or requirements

All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a:

Security clearance.

Education Requirements:

Two years of university studies in international studies, security, law enforcement, legal affairs, or related field is required.

Experience needed

Minimum of five years of experience in law enforcement, military, private security, or investigations is required.

Any other provided details

Evaluations:

You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement.

You may be asked to complete a pre-employment language or skills test.

You must complete the application form and provide the required documents.

Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge/skills/abilities listed. If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.

• Conducting complex and sensitive investigations including personal suitability, fraud, and malfeasance for US Government (USG) agencies operating under the Chief of Mission (COM).
• Maintaining liaison with high level host government police, law enforcement and security organizations, customs and immigration officials, and judicial and legislative officials.
• Serving as the Regional Security Officer’s advisor on threats to the official U.S. Embassy community and facilities.
• Requesting and coordinating support from host nation government (HNG) agencies by leveraging relationships with senior national police and security contacts.
• Ensuring a variety of safety and security support functions to an Embassy community of over 2000 COM personnel to include background investigations of LE staff to determine their suitability for a security certification required for continued employment with the U.S. government.
• Coordinating with the HNG to provide regular deployment of General Services Unit (GSU), Administration Police Service (APS) and Diplomatic Police Unit (DPU) officers to USG facilities and interests.
• Routinely conducting hotel surveys in various towns for use by Chief of Mission employees on travel.
• Supporting the Residential Security team to conduct residential surveys, monthly radio checks, and responding to residential alarms (e.g., in Kisumu).
• Investigating malfeasance, fraud, and other misconduct by LE staff as assigned by the RSO.
• Compiling statistical data on crime, political violence, and terrorism throughout the country.
• Operating as a Deputy to the Senior FSNI, and when directed, as the Acting Senior FSNI.
• Processing background investigations using the Regional Security Office Local Vetting system (RESOLVE) while ensuring each case is submitted in a timely manner according to the Overseas Vetting Guidelines and RSO Nairobi Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Conducting a thorough subject interview and multiple reference interviews to include employment and neighborhood checks.
• Serving as RSO’s liaison with the Government of Kenya (GoK) law enforcement and security community, and with GoK judicial and legislative officials.
• Arranging meetings with senior level contacts both in Nairobi, and in remote regions of Kenya, to develop information on the security and crime environment that may impact both the public and private American citizen community to include U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) implementing partners and Peace Corps volunteers.
• Coordinating closely with the Kenyan National Police Service through its various units for provision of armed GSU officers to provide a Personal Security Detail (PSD) to the U.S. Ambassador.
• Working with the Bodyguard Coordinator, coordinating scheduling, attending travel planning meetings, and facilitating U.S. government-provided stipends to the bodyguards.
• Providing ongoing analysis to the RSO regarding evolving security environment, which informs the Front Office and Mission agencies planning to conduct diplomacy and development engagement in high threat/high risk areas.
• Reviewing all official trip requests within Kenya, liaising with local police in the destination area, determining if there are any security issues that will impact travel, and providing analysis to the RSO.

• Investigative skills
• Liaison and networking with law enforcement and security organizations
• Threat analysis
• Report writing
• Data compilation and analysis
• Interviewing techniques
• Coordination and logistics

• Two years of university studies in international studies, security, law enforcement, legal affairs, or related field is required.
• Minimum of five years of experience in law enforcement, military, private security, or investigations is required.
• Ability to obtain and hold a security clearance.