Project Management Specialist (Agriculture) - (Multiple Vacancies)

Job Summary:

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

I.           GENERAL INFORMATION

1.     SOLICITATION NO.: 72030620R10011

2.     ISSUANCE DATE:  October 27, 2019

3.     CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: November 11, 2019 no later than 4:30 pm Kabul time.

4.     POSITION TITLE: Project Management Specialist (Agriculture) - (Multiple Vacancies)  

5.     MARKET VALUE: Equivalent to FSN-11 (Step 1 – 13)

In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of U.S. Embassy Afghanistan. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

6.     PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Employment contract issued under this solicitation is of a continuing nature. Its duration is expected to be part of a series of sequential contracts; all contract clauses, provisions, and regulatory requirements concerning availability of funds and the specific duration of the contract shall apply. The initial Cooperating Country National Personal Service Contract (CCNPSC) contract will be for one year with a four years option pending continued need for the position, contractor performance, and funds availability.

7.     PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Kabul, Afghanistan.

8.     SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Foreign Service National (FSN) Security Certification.

9.     STATEMENT OF DUTIES

1.     General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The Office of Agriculture (OAG) promotes a vibrant and prosperous agriculture sector through management of a portfolio that consists of over $41.5 million in nearly two dozen active and planned projects. The incumbent is a core member of the Agriculture Team working on a portfolio of agriculture, agribusiness and agro-processing activities, with Agreement/Contract Officer's Representative (A/COR) responsibilities for several projects and activities to address food security issues in Afghanistan. The incumbent serves as a subject matter expert on technical area(s) that cut across value chains (i.e. veterinary sciences, marketing, soil conservation, business development, water resource use, plant protection, alternative development, vocational training, agriculture extension, food processing, etc.) The incumbent provides expert advice and technical assistance in his/her area of expertise to USAID staff, implementing partners (IPs), host government and private companies across value chains. The incumbent serves as the primary point-of-contact A/COR for all activities related to specific value chain(s). This includes working with partners s/he supervises to implement work plans, modifications, and the implementation of discrete training, invitational travel and other components. The incumbent works closely with the OAG Programs and Policies Team (PPT) to conceptualize, design, implement, monitor and evaluate, and manage gender mainstreaming matters. The incumbent prepares and approves activity designs, creates results monitoring plans, and drafts annual Performance Plan and Report (PPR) narratives and key issue reports. The incumbent likewise liaises with the relevant technical staff of the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) and the Office of Financial Management (OFM) on contracting and financial management issues concerning projects.

Skills Required:

Skills Description:

a.     Skills and Abilities: Strong analytical skills, including the ability to identify, locate, analyze, and evaluate relevant quantitative and qualitative data and to carry out technical analyses. The ability to organize and present project information in written and oral form is required. Under limited supervision, the incumbent must be able to plan, manage and evaluate the project(s) to which s/he is assigned, including analyzing and incorporating cross cutting outcomes such as gender and climate smart agriculture into project implementation. The incumbent must conduct site visits to support project monitoring. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and with cross-cultural sensitivity, tact and poise with a range of professional counterparts at all levels, including those from host country ministries, representatives of the USG, technical staff, other U.S. government agencies, implementing partners, international organizations and other donors. In addition to excellent MS Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), the incumbent must have the ability to use statistical software and/or information technology to improve data compilation, analysis and reporting. The incumbent must have the ability to learn USAID specific software such as Afghan Info, FTFMS, GLAAS, Phoenix and ASIST. The incumbent must be able to work in a team-oriented, gender-integrated environment and under pressure.

Duties & Responsibilities:

1.     Statement of Duties to be Performed

Manage designated projects as A/COR

Attention: For full details on Duties and Responsibilities please see the attached solicitation.

2.     Supervisory Relationship

The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the OAG Deputy Office Director and/or the relevant Team Leader.

3.     Supervisory Controls

The incumbent supervises one FSN-10 Project Management Specialist and provides guidance to one FSN-08 Project Management Assistant to perform at the expected performance level on a day to day basis.

1.     AREA OF CONSIDERATION:

Cooperating Country National (CCN), meaning an individual who is a cooperating country citizen, or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country.

2.     PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

3.     POINT OF CONTACT:

Any questions about this solicitation may be directed to: kblaidfsnjobs@usaid.gov. Applications submitted to this email address will not be considered.

Note: No in-person appointments or telephone calls will be entertained, unless you require more information about this solicitation.

Job Location:

Qualifications:

I.           MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

a.     Education: A Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, business administration, economics, management and/or international development field is required. or related development and social science fields is required. (Education requirement must be met at the time of application for the subject position).

b.     Work Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in project management, agriculture development, rural development, private sector development or social survey planning and administration is required. (Work experience requirement must be met at the time of application for the subject position).

c.      Language: Level IV (Fluent) speaking/reading English and Level IV (Fluent) speaking/reading Dari and/or Pashtu is required. (English language ability will be tested).

d.     Knowledge: Knowledge of quantitative research methodology and techniques. Knowledge and understanding of Afghan government agricultural institutions and practices. Knowledge of economic and cultural characteristics, and the problems, resources and development prospects/priorities in Afghan agriculture.

II.           EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

Below factors will be used for screening candidates to be considered for English Proficiency and written examination.

•          Work Experience                   50 points

•          Knowledge                             20 points

•          Skills and Abilities                30 points

           Maximum Points:                100 points

After an initial application screening, the best qualified applicants will be invited for a written examination, English Proficiency Test and to an oral interview.