Visa Compliance Officer  

Summary of Work Activities and Responsibilities:

The Visa Compliance Officer facilitates and ensures the University’s compliance with Philippine laws and policies relevant to inbound non-Filipino students / academics / other personnel, as well as outbound Ateneo students / academics / other personnel.

The Visa Compliance Officer reports directly to the Head of the International Mobility Section of the OAVP-UPI, and oversees the work of the Visa Processing Assistant and the Visa Liaison.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Compliance Management Support:

• Surveys and keeps abreast of all relevant information about laws, regulatory requirements, policies, protocols, and other such guidelines, that are pertinent to the mobility of students, academics, and other personnel.
• Surveys and keeps abreast of all relevant information on processes, requirements, and timelines of the application for relevant permits and visas that are necessary to enable the mobility of students, academics, and other personnel.
• Liaises with relevant government agencies to ensure that information related to mobility and necessary permits is up-to-date and accurate. These agencies include but are not limited to Department of Labor and Employment, Bureau of Immigration, Professional Regulatory Commission, and Commission on Higher Education.
• Assists the Head of the International Mobility Section in the conduct of reviews of University policies, standards, and guidelines to ensure compliance with government regulations related to international inbound and outbound mobility of students, academics, and other personnel.
• Provides effective guidance to concerned University units, especially academic departments, about application requirements, supporting documents, and processing timelines for appropriate visas and permits that are necessary for both inbound and outbound mobility of students, academics, and other personnel.
• Oversees the system designed to monitor the expiration dates of relevant permits and visas, and triggers the issuance of timely advisories in anticipation of such expiration dates.
• Submits and tracks requests for cash advances and liquidation of all visa-related procedure
• Provides guidance to University offices regarding regulation compliance reporting requirements, and reviews and facilitates the submission of such to government regulatory agencies.

2. Reports and Documentation Support

• Reviews and endorses reports related to mobility of students, academics, and personnel in compliance with government and regulatory agencies.
• Collates, analyzes, and presents data related to requested endorsement processing services and actual administration, and all pertinent data related to the applied endorsements

3. Section Management Support

• Assists the Head of the International Mobility Section in supervising and managing the combined work of the Visa Processing Assistant and the Visa Liaison.
• Assists in the efficient and effective usage of the Visa Revolving Fund, in accordance with University guidelines and protocols that govern such resources.
• Provides advice to the Section Head regarding complementary resource requirements of the Visa Team which may improve productivity and efficiency.

4. Performs other university-related duties as may be required by the immediate supervisor and any authorized representatives

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• At least 3-5 years of relevant work experience preferred; visa-related work an advantage

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge on Philippine Visa Processing: familiarity with the procedures applications and renewals of Philippine visas, study permits, employment permits, etc.
• Integrity: consistently demonstrates honesty, ethical behavior, and strong moral principles in all aspects of work. Maintains confidentiality, takes accountability for actions, and upholds organizational values even in challenging situations
• Attention to Detail: thorough when performing work and conscientious about details
• Planning and Evaluating: ability to organize work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- and/or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes
• Interpersonal Skills: ability to relate, collaborate, and negotiate with different job levels in different circumstances, taking into consideration their needs, feelings, and context. Equally comfortable dealing with employees, and administrators/management
• Writing: ability to communicate effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience
• Oral Communication: ability to convey information to individuals or groups effectively, considering the audience and nature of the information; makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately
• Technological Proficiency: ability to utilize information technology and computer and internet systems to accomplish tasks; proficient in MS Office Applications