Agricultural Specialist

Closing Date of The Position: February 2, 2015

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 Agricultural Specialist in Political/ Economic Section.


BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

Serves as the expert advisor and assists the Agricultural Counselor in developing and implementing Post plans and programming. The specialist is also the principal locally engaged staff for analytical issue to the Nairobi – based Agricultural Officer (AO) and expert advisor on agriculture to U.S Mission Tanzania.

“Selected candidate will be hired at the grade lower (developmental level) for one year to develop knowledge of internal operating procedures of Foreign Agriculture Service, US Department of Agriculture (FAS-USDA)”. 


MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Advising and Planning. As principal analytical advisor and assistant to the AO and other Embassy Officers, reports through Economic Officer in Collaboration with the AO in Nairobi on Tanzania and EAC: (25 %)

• Participates in the development of the country program plan. Provides advice and recommendations designed to support and enhance USG agricultural objectives in Tanzania.
• Evaluates regional countries practices, laws and policies and foreign competitors’ practices affecting the sales position of U.S. agricultural products in the local markets.
• Develops a wide and reliable network of contacts for reporting on host country agricultural trade relations.
• Consults with the Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock, Trade and Industry and other senior officials to obtain marketing, trade and other agriculture data of interest to USDA and convey information as approved/requested by the AO and the Economic Officer.
• Develops plans for short and long-term projects aimed towards achieving program objectives.
• Monitors the annual plan and recommends changes and additions to accommodate new developments, changing conditions and unseen circumstances, which influence or affect the plan’s specific objectives.

B. Technology Exchange and Bilateral Agreements: (25 %)

• Monitors and participates in agriculture-related elated East African Community (EAC) negotiations and programs to represent USDA and US agricultural interests in agreements.
• Participated in EAC programs to provide technical assistance by matching expertise available in USDA to complement the whole USG development program with EAC.
• Collaborates with host government and private sector leaders in effecting agricultural technology exchanges.
• Advises the AO and other Embassy Officers on possibilities and alternatives and participates in senior level negotiations, and development of U.S./host country bilateral agricultural agreements.
• Serves as a liaison and in country oversight and handles issues for USDA’s programs in Tanzania, including McGovern-Dole, and Food for Progress—working to keep Mission Tanzania (USAID and U.S. State Department), and FAS Nairobi informed and up to date on programs.

C. Business Assistance: (20 %)

• Develops plans and procedures for providing U.S. officials, U.S. exporters and local importers with prompt service for obtaining the latest and most complete information on agricultural developments in the host country.
• Based on in depth knowledge of these developments, and marketing practices and potential advises visiting U.S. officials on marketing situation, import opportunities and problems, host government tariffs and other trade constraints.
• Assists local government importers in locating potential U.S. suppliers.
• Advise importers of credit available under USDA export credit programs.
• Reviews communications regarding USDA, other official visitors and private sector representatives, and based on the purpose of the visit, recommend the appropriate travel itineraries, meeting schedules and coordinate visits.

D. Analyzing, Forecasting and Reporting (15 %)

• Continuously plans, directs and participates in producing comprehensive drafts of required and voluntary reports, on agricultural developments in host countries.
• Assures the validity and completeness of the reports by gathering extensive information and statistical data from a wide network of contacts, conducting professional research, analysis and evaluation, and preparing detailed reports.
• Travels throughout country individually with the AO or other Mission personnel to gather data and interview agricultural leaders for reports on host country economic plans, policies and programs. (Can include travel for data and/or information collection).

These reports include:

1. Agricultural Production Reports on the host country plans to increase or control domestic agricultural production. Topics include price support schemes, production goals and quotas, export taxes or subsidies, scientific and technical improvements in farming techniques, pest and disease control, host government participation in U.S. and other economic aid and technical assistance programs, with their particular importance to U.S. agricultural producers. Forecasts economic impact of crop changes, adverse weather conditions and technological developments on the host country agricultural output.
2. Foreign Competitor Reports on activities of foreign competitors, which could affect production and importation of agricultural commodities, and directly or indirectly affect the status of U.S. agricultural products moving in world trade. Reports the impact of third country or regional agricultural trade with host country from the U.S. and foreign competitors.
3. Trade Development Reports providing information useful in judging potential for U.S. trade development with host country, estimates of current and long range agricultural import requirement; processor and consumer preferences in food; and the grades and quality of farm products imported by host country from the U.S. and foreign competitors.

E. Contacts: (10 %)

• Maintains contacts with very broad spectrum of government officials, importers, exporters, distributors, farm leaders, officials of agricultural and food research institutions, members of the academic community and the general public, to collect information and conduct negotiations.
• Uses information from contacts to forecast trends and situations affecting U.S. agricultural interests.
• Develops contacts with key officials who are instrumental in resolving policy problems or assist in arranging a hearing of U.S. demarches on policy problems.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

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

1. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Policy, or agricultural related technical field is required.
2. Prior Work Experience: Three years of working experience in agricultural policy, agricultural business, or agricultural technical field is required.
3. Language proficiency: Level IV (fluent) in English and Kiswahili (speaking, reading and writing) is required.
4. Knowledge: Knowledge of economic reporting in a computer-based environment. thorough understanding of Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) goals, programs, reporting requirements, and procedures and U.S trading practices.
5. Skills and Abilities: Ability/experience operating PC LAN- based word processing packages is required; ability/experience with spread sheet packages required; basic understanding of computer operations, to include back-up routines; ability to use internet-based systems is required. Ability to interact with wide range of government and private sector officials is required. Able to plan, organise and monitor a comprehensive reporting program, able to maintain objectively when providing professional advice and recommendations is required. Ability to work in a computer based office environment and drafting of complex reports independently is required.

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: (255-22)229 4000, Ext: 4137/4148/4233/4024
Fax: (255-22)229 4726

CLOSING DATE OF THE POSITION: February 2, 2015