IV FSN WORKSHOP (PC-123),SEPT 11-15, 2006

UNCLAS NAIROBI 003145 SIPDIS SIPDIS M/FSI/SPAS/CONS: PASS TO K. SCOTT CECIL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CMGT AFSI AMGT AFIN CVIS SUBJECT: IV FSN WORKSHOP (PC-123),SEPT 11-15, 2006 REF: A) STATE 111143, B) FSINFATC 238, C) FSINFATC 702 ¶1. (U) Post proudly nominates Honey A. Mohamud for the IV FSN WORKSHOP (PC-123),September 11-15, 2006. ¶2. NOMINATION INFORMATION: ¶A. Name: MOHAMUD, Honey A. (female). ¶B. Grade 6/2 ¶C. Consular Section Chief is Consul Scott Riedmann, Consul General is David Stone. ¶D. Date of Birth: 26-OCT-1977, Place of Birth: Isiolo, KENYA, Passport number: A518780. ¶E. RAMC number: 006088907 ¶F. Ms. Mohamud is fully fluent in written and spoken English. ¶G. Present Duties: Ms. Mohamud serves as one of the four immigrant and diversity visa staff members. Her duties include scheduling, receiving, screening, data entering, preparing of IV/DV applications for interview by the consular officer, and visa preparation. As a screener she explains immigrant visa policies and immigration law to visa applicants as well as detects potential fraud. She is responsible for telephone and written correspondence and drafting cables on immigrant visa matters. She serves as the section's Somali translator for IV/DV, NIV, and ACS. She also translates for applicants of Ethiopian heritage and provides Kiswahili translations as needed. She partners with the fraud prevention manager and assists with fraud prevention strategies. ¶H. Length of service with USG: 4 years, 10 months. ¶I. Ms. Mohamud has not previously participated in FSI workshops or seminars in D.C; however, she has completed online course PC-102. ¶J. Ms. Mohamud has not previously traveled to the U.S. ¶K. Rationale for Nomination: Post nominates Ms. Mohamud because she would benefit most from this training given that she has established a good skill-set in her nearly 5 years of service in the Consular Section. Honey has proven to be a capable and detail-oriented employee who is motivated to continue expanding her knowledge base. While additional training and interface with other Consular FSNs would be useful for her, she could also contribute greatly to class discussion, as she is knowledgeable regarding Nairobi's immigrant visa issues - a Post that handles applicants from various surrounding third countries, some with particularly high incidents of immigration fraud. Honey plays a key role in our immigrant visa processing, and acts as our translator for particularly challenging cases involving Somali nationals. Ms. Mohamud has a keen eye for fraud and has contributed greatly to Post's strategy in fraud prevention, particularly how Post addresses Somali applicants and more generally with Diversity Visa applicants committing marriage fraud. In short, Nairobi believes that PC-123 would greatly enhance Honey's already impressive skill-set and directly benefit the consular section, particularly the immigrant visa and fraud prevention section. ¶L. Cost of transportation - round trip airfare business class is approximately $5,591.00 for business class travel which is authorized as post is more than 14 flying hours from Washington D.C. For reference, economy airfare is $2,585.00. A sample itinerary is as follows: 08-SEP-2006: KLM 8566 Nairobi - Amsterdam, duration 8hrs 30min; 09-SEP- 2006: NW 8651 Amsterdam - Dulles, duration 8hrs 30min. 16- SEP-2006: NW 38 Boston - Amersterdam, duration 6hrs, 55min; NW8565 Amsterdam - Nairobi, duration 8hrs, 30min. Additional transportation costs not covered in per diem for airport transfers and associated costs should not exceed $100. ¶3. Post notes that Saturday arrival is required, as the workshop begins on Sunday with a field trip in and around Washington. Post further notes that FSI will make arrangements for, and cover the costs of lodging for the duration of the course. ROWE