Agricultural Development Officer

Job Title: Agricultural Development Officer (Backstop 10)
Agency: Agency For International Development
Sub Agency: USAID
Job Announcement Number: BS-10 Afghanistan R2

SALARY RANGE:
$65,413.00 - $118,552.00 /year
OPEN PERIOD:
Tuesday, July 06, 2010 to Friday, August 20, 2010
SERIES & GRADE:
FS-0301-02/03
POSITION INFORMATION:
Full Time Term, not to exceed 5 Years
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:
02
DUTY LOCATIONS:
15 vacancies - Worldwide
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
US Citizen


JOB SUMMARY:





Applications for this position are being processed through an on-line applicant assessment system that has been specifically configured for US Agency for International Development applicants. Even if you have already developed a resume in USAJOBS, you will need to access this on-line system to complete the application process. To obtain information about this position and TO APPLY, please click on http://www.avuecentral.com/vacancy.html?ref=QJARK.


KEY REQUIREMENTS:

* See Other Information.




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Duties
Additional Duty Location Info:

15 vacancies - Worldwide


DUTIES:(The duties described reflect the full performance level of this position)

The full performance level of this position is at the FS-02 level. Agricultural Development Officers (ADOs) will be based in Afghanistan and assigned to one of the Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs), District Support Teams (DSTs), Regional Command Centers, and in some cases Kabul itself (See General Background section). ADOs will live and work with other members of the PRT, often in rustic and challenging conditions (See physical requirements section in this announcement). ADOs will support agriculture and rural development assistance programs in various locations in Afghanistan by developing strategies, analytical models, and methodologies; analyzing data; and providing assistance and advice on agriculture and rural development issues. Strategic Planning: For country, regional, or provincial programming, performs strategic analysis of trends, and future areas of opportunity and problems, as input to Agency strategic planning. Develops or contributes to strategic planning documents, country assistance strategies, sector strategies, and similar planning exercises. Employs analytical tools and insight to provide guidance to managers for decisions about allocation of resources to agriculture and rural development programs, and as input to cross-cutting issues such as environment or gender. Program Analysis: Serves as a technical resource and advisor, providing analyses of agriculture and rural development sector trends in Afghanistan to inform management and program managers of relevant factors that may affect the U.S. assistance program. Participates on technical evaluation committees for agriculture and rural development project proposals, and oversees contracted technical assistance and commodity interventions to agricultural programs. Ensures statistical soundness of data used to track program performance, and proposes statistical indicators of program success. Communicates results of analysis both verbally and in writing to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Develops criteria for project and program evaluation statements of work and briefs evaluation teams regarding agricultural background and conditions within which USAID programs operate. Agriculture Policy Guidance: Analyzes agriculture policies currently in effect in Afghanistan and briefs and advises senior USAID, military, and other USG management regarding agriculture policy issues relevant to successful achievement of USG assistance objectives. Develops professional contacts with agriculture and other officials in the Afghan government, resident missions of the international financial institutions, bilateral donors, embassies, as well as within the local academic and business communities. Ensures coordination with all USG activities in the agriculture sector. Program Management: Participates in setting the vision and designing agriculture and rural development programs and projects. Develops project solicitations, and prepares technical project specifications and analyses as necessary for project approval and for initiating related procurement actions. Sets project performance benchmarks and monitors and evaluates project implementation progress. Programs typically include technical assistance and institutional development support to government agencies as well as private Non Government Organizations, business associations, think tanks and academic institutions. Helps to lead agriculture and rural development initiatives and task force groups to accomplish programmatic goals. Plans and/or accomplishes special projects pertaining to agriculture and rural development programs. For further information on the duties please see the position description in the AVUE system.



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Qualifications and Evaluations
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:(The KSAs below may not apply at all grades)

Knowledge of agriculture development theories, principles, methods and techniques and experience in applying them.

Knowledge of program/project management (design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation) principles, theories, concepts, methods and techniques.

Ability to manage international development projects in a multi-cultural team environment.

Ability to work in a developing country with limited modern conveniences.

Superior writing and verbal communication skills.

Ability to manage projects in a multi-cultural team environment.

MINIMUM FEDERAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Grade 02: MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS



- A relevant Bachelor's degree plus eight (8) years of relevant experience of which six (6) years are relevant overseas experience; or

- A Master's degree in a relevant major plus six (6) years of relevant experience of which four (4) years are relevant overseas experience; or

- A Ph.D. in a relevant major plus five (5) years of relevant experience of which three (3) years is relevant overseas experience.

Grade 03: MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS



- A relevant Bachelor's degree plus six (6) years of relevant experience of which four (4) years are relevant overseas experience; or

- A Master's degree in a relevant major plus four (4) years of relevant experience of which three (3) years are relevant overseas experience; or

- A Ph.D. in a relevant major plus three (3) years of relevant experience of which three (3) years is relevant overseas experience.



Relevant degrees are in the agricultural sciences such as, but not limited to: agribusiness, agronomy, animal science, aquaculture, crop/plant science, entomology, food science and technology, forestry, horticulture, human nutrition, plant pathology, rural sociology, soil science, or agricultural economics, education or engineering. Academic degrees must be received at the time of application to be considered.



Relevant experience in international development, in areas such as economic growth, economic policy and institutions; agriculture and agribusiness; and natural resources management and environment. Related experience in legal and institutional reform; trade and investment; micro-enterprise development may also be related.



Applicants will be appointed to the grade for which they are best qualified.



COMPENSATION



Pay grade is dependent on education and experience. Benefits may include:



- Moving expenses,

- Three to six weeks training prior to deployment,

- One week training in Afghanistan.

- Paid annual leave,

- Home leave (after 12 months, if sign for second year),

- Contributions to government life, group health and retirement plans,

- Medical care and hospitalization overseas,

- Foreign Service Transfer Allowance,

- 35% danger pay,

- 35% post differential,

- Sunday differential,

- Two Rest and Recuperation trips (R&R),

- Two Regional Rest Breaks,



FICA and federal income tax will be withheld by USAID.



PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:



Working and living conditions in the field impact field personnel in their ability to perform their duties effectively and safely. They must ensure against becoming a direct threat to their own or others' health or safety by being physically able to work under the following conditions:



Civilians working in communities are required to wear 30-40 pounds of body armor/helmet on a daily basis, as well as carry their daypack and water, usually in a backpack weighing an additional 8-10 pounds.



All personnel working in the field are required to walk over uneven and rocky terrain over long distances. This includes field patrols of 5 miles or more to meet with local government and community members; these field patrols typically occur 2-3 times per week. Generally, personnel will be on their feet 5-6 hours per day.

Transportation by armored vehicles will be used. Personnel working in the field are required to embark and disembark from such vehicles, which have high clearances and limited individual space to sit and maneuver. Clearances may be up to four (4) feet off the ground, there will be high step rails and/or ladder-type steps, and doorways may be smaller than those of commercial vehicles. Some transportation will take place at night, requiring the ability to perform these embarking and disembarking activities under limited visibility conditions.



Living conditions are austere. At many field posts, bedding consists of canvas cots with mosquito netting. Bathing facilities are not always readily available.

The field environment is challenging. Desert temperatures often reach 100-105 degrees Fahrenheit in the summers. Personnel will be exposed to intense sunlight for several hours at a time. Also, temperatures at night and can become very cold; field personnel must take precautions against frostbite. Generally, the field environment is high altitude, dry, and dusty. Further, living and working conditions include loud noises (e.g., loud motor vehicles and airplanes landing and taking off nearby).



Only basic medical care is available at outlying posts. Transport for emergencies is by helicopter to regional military hospitals. Any cardiology interventions will have to be done outside of Afghanistan.



At times, field personnel may be required to evacuate quickly from an area under their own power due to security concerns.



In summary, an individual in this position must be able to stand for long periods, walk over rough terrain for long distances, run short distances, jump, and perform other physical activities while carrying at least 30-40 pounds.



GENERAL BACKGROUND

USAID. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has a long history of extending a helping hand to those people overseas struggling to make a better life, recover from a disaster or striving to live in a free and democratic country. It is this caring that stands as a hallmark of the United States around the world - and shows the world our true character as a nation. USAID is an independent federal government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. With headquarters in Washington, DC, USAID fosters development around the world. Our work supports economic growth and trade; agriculture and the environment; education and training; democracy and governance; global health; global partnerships and humanitarian assistance. We operate in five regions of the world: Sub-Saharan Africa; Asia, the Middle East; Latin America and the Caribbean; and Europe and Eurasia. USAID employs individuals in the Civil Service and Foreign Service, as well as through Personal Service Contracts for service in Washington, DC and overseas.



Afghanistan. The USAID mission is part of a larger US Government and International Community intervention to assist the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. In recent years, Afghanistan, with the help of the international community, has made remarkable progress on many fronts. However, many of the root causes of conflict, insecurity and political instability in Afghanistan remain unaddressed: widespread poverty, ethnic mistrust and imbalance of power; slow progress on demobilization, and extremist influences.

Beyond the capital city of Kabul, four Regional Command Centers have been established to oversee and support military and development activities in the field. USAID's mission is to support the rapid transition of Afghanistan to a more stable and productive state through the promotion of democracy, rule of law and sustainable economic and social development that is responsive to citizens' needs. In order to help expand the assistance of the US Government and the International Community beyond large cities, Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) have been established throughout Afghanistan. At the local level, some District Support Teams (DSTs) have also been established. PRTs and DSTs are coordinated units of civilian and military resources deployed to forward positions that aim to improve security and facilitate Afghanistan's response to citizen priorities in targeted districts where instability hampers governance and development. The core objective of each team is to implement projects and support activities that will improve stability so that more traditional forms of development assistance can resume.



The military units at the 26 PRTs in Afghanistan are coordinated under the International Security Assistance Force regional and national command structures. USAID is a key member of these PRTs, with USAID staff at each PRT to represent USAID's interests in the province. USAID staff serve as development advisors to the inter-agency team and to advise and guide the implementation of USAID's investments. The Teams are housed in Forward Operating Bases which are fortified military emplacements under the control of one of the participating nations contributing to the Coalition Forces. Conditions and operating environments vary from place to place.



The military, diplomatic, and development personnel stationed at PRTs are part of an interagency (and often multinational) team whose purpose is to extend the reach and enhance the legitimacy of the central government in outlying and often less secure regions of the country through security sector reform, the promotion of good governance, and the facilitation of reconstruction and development.

USAID participates in PRTs by locating USAID officers (both managerial and technical), and Foreign Service Nationals (Afghan nationals) at each PRT. This staff is collectively the USAID field office to the province(s) in which they are located. The USAID field office at the PRT is responsible through the Regional Command Centers and field office management in Kabul to the USAID Deputy Directors and Mission Director. The field office program currently consists of multiple field officers stationed throughout the country at PRTs, DSTs, Regional Command Centers, and Kabul. The Mission of the field office program is to ensure USAID Mission successfully achieves its strategic objectives in the field by assisting USAID programming and achieving unity of effort with other USG agencies, international actors, local government, and local communities.



See Other Information for further requirements.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

You will be rated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education, experience and training you report relative to this position which shows that you possess the knowledges, skills and abilities required. Paid or unpaid experience will be considered.


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Benefits and Other Info

BENEFITS:
See Other Information.

OTHER INFORMATION:
USAID is listed as one of the top ten best places to work in the federal Government by the Office of Personnel Management's survey.


WHERE ARE WE?
USAID's headquarters is centrally located in downtown Washington, DC, at the prestigious Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. We are located right on the Federal Triangle Metro (Blue and Orange Lines). The office is within walking distance of restaurants, shops, Smithsonian Institution museums and Washington Monument.

USAID is seeking experienced professionals in the agriculture sciences to work with us to support the people of Afghanistan.

This announcement is being used to consider internal Merit Promotion and external candidates. You will be considered under all categories for which you are eligible.

Applicants must submit a complete application by the closing date of this announcement. If you need technical assistance in submitting your application, or are unable to apply on-line and desire to obtain an Applicant Questionnaire package, please contact AVUE Direct Services at 1-800-407-0147, or email at JoeAvue@avuetech.com.

Applicants submitting proof documents can electronically attach them, or scan and attach them, to the employment application. If this is not possible, copies of documents can be faxed to (253) 573-9869, or mailed to the following address: USAID, c/o Avue Technologies Corporation, ATTN: Direct Services, 1145 Broadway Plaza, Suite 800, Tacoma, WA 98402. All faxed or mailed proof documents must be submitted prior to the closing date of the announcement and must be identified with applicant's name and vacancy announcement number.

All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, age, sex, sexual orientation, physical disabilities, membership in an employee organization, or any other non-merit factors.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Veteran's preference applies. Qualified veterans will be considered consistent with the requirements of the Foreign Service Act.

IMPORTANT: If you are found to have rated your self assessment higher than the information in your on-line application, supporting documentation narratives, and/or any other relevant part of your application package; including attachments, a score will manually be determined that reflects your documented experience. This may result in a lowered score and may also eliminate you from the best qualified list.



For more information about USAID and its role in Afghanistan, please see the Background Summary in this announcement or visit www.usaid.gov. If you have any questions about this position please address them to AFPAKjobs@usaid.gov.


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How To Apply

HOW TO APPLY:
Applications for this position are being processed through an on-line applicant assessment system that has been specifically configured for US Agency for International Development applicants. Even if you have already developed a resume in USAJOBS, you will need to access this on-line system to complete the application process. To obtain information about this position and TO APPLY, please click on http://www.avuecentral.com/vacancy.html?ref=QJARK.

If you are unable to apply online, you may contact the employing office for alternate application procedures. Please call Joe Avue at 1-800-407-0147 or email at fsncr@usaid.gov.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Documents That May Be Required for Verification Of Eligibility:
* Proof of United States Citizenship (birth certificate or other acceptable documentation).
* Proof of military service (DD214s or other equivalent documents).
* Proof of government service providing reinstatement eligibility – Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50 or other equivalent document
* SF15, Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference and appropriate documentation (for 10-point compensable or non-compensable disability preference, Purple Heart, disability pension, or preference based on service of spouse or child).
* Proof of eligibility for priority placement consideration under Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP); i.e., copy of appropriate documentation such as RIF separation notice, or other notice of eligibility.
* Proof of eligibility for special appointment authorities for people with disabilities. Proof of disability from military service (i.e., letter from
Veterans Administration or a branch of the armed forces indicating disability and the amount [%] of the disability, or certification from a State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency or Veterans Administration).
* Proof of government service meeting time-in-grade requirements.
* Copy of college transcript if education was used to qualify you for the position.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

USAID
Phone: 202 712-1030
Email: afpakjobs@usaid.gov Agency Information:
USAID
M/HR/Personnel Operations Div
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.
Washington, Dist of Columbia 20523
US

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