Senior Agricultural/Trade Economist (Re-Advertised)

Closing Date of The Position: September 15, 2014

ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT (OR) APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

The US Embassy is seeking an individual for the position of Senior Agricultural/Trade Economist at the United States Agency for International Development. This is a full-time Personal Services Contract position. Applicants who meet minimum educational requirements for the position but have less years of experience in the required field, may be considered for hiring at a lower pay grade.

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

The primary purpose of the Senior Agricultural/Trade Economist (SATE) is to serve as the senior FSN economist within USAID/Tanzania’s Economic Growth (EG) team. The incumbent will serve as the principal FSN economic advisor to develop, implement and manage complex and highly diversified economic growth project activities in agriculture policy, nutrition, agricultural trade, human resource development in agriculture and nutrition, infrastructure development (roads and irrigation) and private sector investment, including investments in the energy sector.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

i) Strategic Planning and Program Development:

20%

Initiate and supervise analytical research in support of Economic Growth activities in agriculture policy, nutrition, agricultural trade, infrastructure development and private sector investment. Design innovative economic growth activities that articulate well the USG’s Operational Plan and Tanzania’s development strategy to spur economic growth, reduce poverty, expand domestic, regional and international trade for agriculture, and improve nutrition status. Monitor new developments and performance in the Tanzania economy and interact with high level GoT and USG officials in identifying priority USAID interventions in agricultural policy, agricultural production, trade, private sector development, and nutrition to spur economic growth. Liaise with the contracting office in solicitation and technical analyses of proposals supporting economic growth activities through a variety of procurement mechanisms.

ii) Project Management:

40%

Serve as Contracting Officers Representative/Agreement Officers Representative (COR/AOR) in managing economic growth projects by undertaking site visits to monitor project implementation, prepare progress reports and interact with implementing agencies to resolve outstanding issues. Maintain the Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) for each project managed and provide a continuous refinement of the results tracking system for OP and customized indicators. Provide innovative technical and administrative oversights of EG contracts and agreements. Participate in budgeting and facilitate obligation of EG funds in agriculture, nutrition, trade and private sector. Contribute to evaluation scopes of work for measuring achievement of results and assessing project impact.

iii) Macro-economic and policy analysis and coordination with the high level Government of Tanzania and Other Donors:

40%

Participate in existing and create new policy partnerships with the high level GOT officials, other donors, international organizations, local NGOs, business associations and private sector to identify and implement policy changes to stimulate private sector investment and performance in agriculture and nutrition. Serve as a principal liaison with GoT officials and the private sector on public financial management systems, trade, land tenure, taxation, agriculture and macro-economic policy and provide substantial leadership to develop host-country awards to support promising reforms and developments related to agriculture and nutrition. When required, serve as the official USG representative in high level meetings of the Development Partners for Agriculture, and Trade & Private Sector. Create linkages and collaborations with partners and interest group in support of the USAID agenda. Provide technical support to USAID strategic partnerships and cooperation with other donors and stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.

1. Education: An advanced university degree (Masters and above) with specialization in any of the following areas: Agricultural Economics, Economics, Business Management, Policy Analysis, Marketing, Financing and Environmental Economics. Must possess excellent analytical and technical writing skills.
2. Prior Work Experience: Ten (10) years of experience in economic development related work in government, academia, private sector, NGO sector, and/or international institutions including two years in development assistance. Expert in trade and private sector issues including trade facilitation, policy analysis competitiveness, trade integration, agricultural trade, value chain, market access agenda, financing, regional trading blocs and trade policies.
3. Language proficiency: Level IV (Fluent) in spoken and written English and Swahili is required.
4. Knowledge Skills and Abilities: In depth knowledge and experience in project management, policy analysis, monitoring and evaluation; and design and implementation of pro-poor development projects is required. Familiarity with USG procedures and regulations preferred. Familiarity with Tanzanian, regulations, policies and a detailed and broad knowledge of the Tanzanian economy, including the policy and legislative framework required. In depth knowledge on emerging policy issues in the country, region and international in the context of: agriculture and private sector competitiveness, trade policies, WTO and regional trading blocs is required, as is ability to work in a multicultural environment.

SELECTION PROCESS

When fully qualified, US Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) and US Veterans are given preference. Therefore, it is essential that the candidate specifically address the required qualifications above in the application. 

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates for this position must submit the following for consideration of the application:

1. Universal Application for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174). A hard copy of the application form (DS-174) is also available at the American Embassy, gate 3; or
2. A combination of both; i.e. Sections 1 -24 of the UAE along with a listing of the applicant’s work experience attached as a separate sheet; or
3. A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information found on the UAE (see section 3A below for more information); plus
4. Candidates who claim US Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application. Candidates who claim conditional US Veterans preference must submit documentation confirming eligibility for a conditional preference in hiring with their application.
5. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.

3A. If an applicant is submitting a resume or curriculum vitae, s/he must provide the following information equal to what is found on the UAE. 

Failure to do so will result in an incomplete application.

A. Position Title
B. Position Grade
C. Vacancy Announcement Number (if known) 
D. Dates Available for Work
E. First, Middle, & Last Names as well as any other names used
F. Date and Place of Birth
G. Current Address, Day, Evening, and Cell phone numbers
H. U.S. Citizenship Status (Yes or No) & status of permanent U.S. Resident (Yes or No; if yes, provide number) 
I. U.S. Social Security Number and/or Identification Number
J. Eligibility to work in the country (Yes or No) 
K. Special Accommodations the Mission needs to provide 
L. If applying for position that includes driving a U.S. Government vehicle, Driver’s License Class / Type 
M. Days available to work
N. List any relatives or members of your household that work for the U.S. Government (include their Name, Relationship, & Agency, Position, Location) 
O. U.S. Eligible Family Member and Veterans Hiring Preference 
P. Education 
Q. License, Skills, Training, Membership, & Recognition
R. Language Skills 
S. Work Experience
T. References

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO

American Embassy
Human Resources Office
P.O. Box 9123
Dar es Salaam

POINT OF CONTACT

Telephone: 229 4000, Ext: 4137/4148/4233/4024
Fax: 2294726 or 2294970

CLOSING DATE OF THE POSITION: September 15, 2014