JONES EZECHI OPARAH
Festac Town
Summary
Well-rounded specialist in Advisory, Negotiation, Auditing, Logistics, Consular, Travels, Protocol, Expatriate Management and Immigration Services. Excellent leadership and relationship building skills. Has proven track record in building and leading teams to success. A Resourceful Protocol Officer adept at fostering a productive relationship between individuals and organizations through meticulous planning and specialize in tactfully maintaining effective business relationships.
Results-driven individual with a solid track record in delivering quality work. Known for excellent communication and teamwork abilities, with a commitment to achieving company goals and delivering exceptional service. Passionate about continuous learning and professional development.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Advisor, Immigration & Protocol
MTN Nigeria Communications PLC
Ikoyi
05.2021 - 08.2024
- Develop and maintain standard immigration policies, process and procedures for MTNN
- Manage and Process Expatriate Quota
- Periodic reconciliation of expatriate quota with immigration authorities
- Supervises all the activities of the Protocol Unit
- Facilitates Meet & Greet for the Company High Profile Guests at the Airport
- Facilitates Airports Stakeholders Management sessions
- Monitoring and tracking of expatriate visas, their use and expiring dates
- Preparing monthly returns to Nigerian Immigration authorities
- Interpret Immigration Acts/Laws and Manuals
- Prepare expatriate files for processing and approval
- Receive and update travel information on the expatriate database for effective logistics and protocol services
- Prepare, dispatch and follow up on visa and consular related documents
- Regularization of stay for Subject To Regularization (STR) visa holders
- Process extension of Temporary Work Permits (TWP), Business and visitors' pass
- Procure, dispatch, Issues Introductory and invitation letters based on request
- Document all immigration and protocol records
- Maintain records of accounts related to petty cash transaction for visas on enterprise resources planning system
- Liaise with Airlines for the release of Confirmation of Departure
- Process E-Pass and ECOWAS Travel Certificate for Nationals and Expatriates' from the Immigration authorities
- Prepare invitation letters for expatriates on Look-See -visit to MTN Nigeria
- Coordinating Look-See decide visit and engaging the airport authorities for a seamless visit
- Ensure cordial relationship with the zonal offices of the Nigeria Immigration Services within the Federation and relevant embassies/high commissions
- Liaise with relevant embassies where applicable to obtain visas for Expatriate/Indigenous staff of MTNN
HR Advisor, Immigration
MTN Nigeria Communications PLC
Lagos
02.2015 - 04.2021
- Develop and maintain standard immigration policies, process and procedures for MTNN
- Manage and Process Expatriate Quota
- Periodic reconciliation of expatriate quota with immigration authorities
- Supervises all the activities of the Protocol Unit
- Facilitates Meet & Greet for the Company High Profile Guests at the Airport
- Facilitates Airports Stakeholders Management sessions
- Monitoring and tracking of expatriate visas, their use and expiring dates
- Preparing monthly returns to Nigerian Immigration authorities
- Interpret Immigration Acts/Laws and Manuals
- Prepare expatriate files for processing and approval
- Receive and update travel information on the expatriate database for effective logistics and protocol services
- Prepare, dispatch and follow up on visa and consular related documents
- Regularization of stay for Subject To Regularization (STR) visa holders
- Process extension of Temporary Work Permits (TWP), Business and visitors' pass
- Procure, dispatch, Issues Introductory and invitation letters based on request
- Document all immigration and protocol records
- Maintain records of accounts related to petty cash transaction for visas on enterprise resources planning system
- Liaise with Airlines for the release of Confirmation of Departure
- Process E-Pass and ECOWAS Travel Certificate for Nationals and Expatriates' from the Immigration authorities
- Prepare invitation letters for expatriates on Look-See -visit to MTN Nigeria
- Coordinating Look-See decide visit and engaging the airport authorities for a seamless visit
- Ensure cordial relationship with the zonal offices of the Nigeria Immigration Services within the Federation and relevant embassies/high commissions
- Liaise with relevant embassies where applicable to obtain visas for Expatriate/Indigenous staff of MTNN
Acting HR Advisor, Immigration
MTN Nigeria Communications PLC
Lagos
05.2013 - 01.2015
- Develop and maintain standard immigration policies, process and procedures for MTNN
- Manage and Process Expatriate Quota
- Periodic reconciliation of expatriate quota with immigration authorities
- Supervises all the activities of the Protocol Unit
- Facilitates Meet & Greet for the Company High Profile Guests at the Airport
- Facilitates Airports Stakeholders Management sessions
- Monitoring and tracking of expatriate visas, their use and expiring dates
- Preparing monthly returns to Nigerian Immigration authorities
- Interpret Immigration Acts/Laws and Manuals
- Prepare expatriate files for processing and approval
- Receive and update travel information on the expatriate database for effective logistics and protocol services
- Prepare, dispatch and follow up on visa and consular related documents
- Regularization of stay for Subject To Regularization (STR) visa holders
- Process extension of Temporary Work Permits (TWP), Business and visitors' pass
- Procure, dispatch, Issues Introductory and invitation letters based on request
- Document all immigration and protocol records
- Maintain records of accounts related to petty cash transaction for visas on enterprise resources planning system
- Liaise with Airlines for the release of Confirmation of Departure
- Process E-Pass and ECOWAS Travel Certificate for Nationals and Expatriates' from the Immigration authorities
- Prepare invitation letters for expatriates on Look-See -visit to MTN Nigeria
- Coordinating Look-See decide visit and engaging the airport authorities for a seamless visit
- Ensure cordial relationship with the zonal offices of the Nigeria Immigration Services within the Federation and relevant embassies/high commissions
- Liaise with relevant embassies where applicable to obtain visas for Expatriate/Indigenous staff of MTNN
HR Administrator, Immigration
MTN Nigeria Communications PLC
Lagos
12.2009 - 04.2013
- Develop and maintain standard immigration policies, process and procedures for MTNN
- Manage and Process Expatriate Quota
- Periodic reconciliation of expatriate quota with immigration authorities
- Supervises all the activities of the Protocol Unit
- Facilitates Meet & Greet for the Company High Profile Guests at the Airport
- Facilitates Airports Stakeholders Management sessions
- Monitoring and tracking of expatriate visas, their use and expiring dates
- Preparing monthly returns to Nigerian Immigration authorities
- Interpret Immigration Acts/Laws and Manuals
- Prepare expatriate files for processing and approval
- Receive and update travel information on the expatriate database for effective logistics and protocol services
- Prepare, dispatch and follow up on visa and consular related documents
- Regularization of stay for Subject To Regularization (STR) visa holders
- Process extension of Temporary Work Permits (TWP), Business and visitors' pass
- Procure, dispatch, Issues Introductory and invitation letters based on request
- Document all immigration and protocol records
- Maintain records of accounts related to petty cash transaction for visas on enterprise resources planning system
- Liaise with Airlines for the release of Confirmation of Departure
- Process E-Pass and ECOWAS Travel Certificate for Nationals and Expatriates' from the Immigration authorities
- Prepare invitation letters for expatriates on Look-See -visit to MTN Nigeria
- Coordinating Look-See decide visit and engaging the airport authorities for a seamless visit
- Ensure cordial relationship with the zonal offices of the Nigeria Immigration Services within the Federation and relevant embassies/high commissions
- Liaise with relevant embassies where applicable to obtain visas for Expatriate/Indigenous staff of MTNN
Customer Care Representative
MTN Nigeria Communications Limited
Lagos
04.2007 - 03.2008
- Attend to customer calls
- Identify and resolve customer queries
- Escalate and route customer issues to the relevant process operators
- Follow through on customer queries ensuring prompt resolution and feedback
- Enlighten and educate customers on new products and initiatives within MTN
- Query resolution
- Participate in team initiatives and activities
- Attend team meetings and other call center specific initiatives
- Generate relevant reports
Protocol & Operations Officer
Dana Services Limited
Lagos
08.2006 - 03.2007
- Company Overview: (UK Visa Application Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos)
- Handled Retrievals from British High Commission on Daily basis and dockets to be sorted according to locations
- Handing over of International Passports to the Applicants
- Incharge of packing all processed dockets, sorted, packed and sent to the British High Commission
- Give report of the opening stock/closing stock on number of passports pending in the Centre
- Scanning of all received international passports from the British High Commission on daily basis
- (UK Visa Application Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos)
Admin. / Bridging Assistant (Operations)
Petroleum Equalisation Fund (Management) Board
09.2003 - 07.2006
- Preparation of Major Marketers Bridging Allowance Schedule on Submission of Liftings on quarterly basis
- Analysis of Local and Bridging returns on Microsoft packages-Excel and Word
- Posting of Depot liftings submission by Major Marketers on Quarterly basis
- Receiving of Major Marketers local liftings on Monthly basis
- Incharge/ Handling of Registry
- Carrying out Secretarial duties and any other function assigned by the Management
- Checking of Bridging files/ documents
- Receiving Mails
- Making Travelling arrangements for the General Manager (Lagos)
- Reconciliation with Major Marketers
Bridging/Admin Dept. (NYSC)
Petroleum Equalisation Fund (Management) Board
09.2002 - 08.2003
- Preparation of Major Marketers Bridging Allowance Schedule on Submission of Liftings on quarterly basis
- Analysis of Local and Bridging returns on Microsoft packages-Excel and Word
- Posting of Depot liftings submission by Major Marketers on Quarterly basis
- Receiving of Major Marketers local liftings on Monthly basis
- Incharge/ Handling of Registry
- Carrying out Secretarial duties and any other function assigned by the Management
- Checking of Bridging files/ documents
- Receiving Mails
- Making Travelling arrangements for the General Manager (Lagos)
- Reconciliation with Major Marketers
Education
Diploma in Desktop Publishing -
Ituah Computer Centre
Festac Town, Lagos01.2002
Bachelor in Arts & Education -
Imo State University
Owerri, Imo State01.2000
Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination -
St. Kizito's Secondary School
Umuchima01.1995
Skills
- High Profile guest management
- Confidentiality
- MS Office applications
- Quality control techniques
- Protocol Officers Association membership
- Organizational skills
- Time management skills
- Written communication
- Verbal communication
- Expatriate quota management
- Visa processing
- Stakeholder management
- Document management
- Data tracking
- Immigration law interpretation
- Customer service
- Relationship building
- Team leadership
- Problem solving
- Attention to detail
- Effective communication
- Logistics coordination
- Problem-solving
- Industry knowledge
- Project management
- Compliance requirements
- Strategic planning
- Analytical thinking
- Client engagement
- Client relationship management
- Negotiation
- Time management
- Empathy and understanding
- Decision-making
- Solution-oriented approach
- Risk assessment
- Conflict resolution
- Regulatory compliance
- Active listening
- Time management abilities
- Problem-solving aptitude
Trainings Attended
- International Diplomacy & Protocol Masterclass
- Fundamentals of Diplomatic Protocol Laws
- Expert Insights on Adapting to Change in the Diplomatic world
- Diplomacy & International Relations
- Basic Human Resources and Administration
- Foundation in Human Resources Practice
- Organizational Change - So Get Ready
- Redefining Yourself After Organizational Change
- Leading Your Team through Change
Hobbies and Interests
- Football
- Swimming
- Travelling
- Meeting people
References
Available on request
International Training
- Protocol Officers Association Forum, Denver, Colorado, 07/01/12
- Protocol Officers Association Forum, Salt Lake City, Utah, 07/01/15
Attributes
- Interpersonal relationship
- Initiative and drive
- God fearing
- Charismatic
- Intelligent
- Trustworthy
- Hardworking
- Humble
Timeline
Advisor, Immigration & Protocol
MTN Nigeria Communications PLC
05.2021 - 08.2024
HR Advisor, Immigration
MTN Nigeria Communications PLC
02.2015 - 04.2021
Acting HR Advisor, Immigration
MTN Nigeria Communications PLC
05.2013 - 01.2015
HR Administrator, Immigration
MTN Nigeria Communications PLC
12.2009 - 04.2013
Customer Care Representative
MTN Nigeria Communications Limited
04.2007 - 03.2008
Protocol & Operations Officer
Dana Services Limited
08.2006 - 03.2007
Admin. / Bridging Assistant (Operations)
Petroleum Equalisation Fund (Management) Board
09.2003 - 07.2006
Bridging/Admin Dept. (NYSC)
Petroleum Equalisation Fund (Management) Board
09.2002 - 08.2003
Diploma in Desktop Publishing -
Ituah Computer Centre
Bachelor in Arts & Education -
Imo State University
Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination -
St. Kizito's Secondary School