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Opportunities in
Afghanistan
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Printable versionThe Secretary of Agriculture is seeking
applications from qualified U.S. citizens
for detail assignments in Afghanistan as
Agricultural Experts on civilian and/or
military units.
In Afghanistan the U.S.
Government (USG) works to foster security,
stability and development under situations of
conflict or post-conflict through the use of
military/civilian-led units composed
of military personnel and civilian
experts. USDA Agricultural Experts
support reconstruction projects and programs in
a province or region, depending on assignment,
to enable the local and national governments to
accomplish their reconstruction goals.
Agricultural Experts work
with partners from the Government of Afghanistan
and the USG to undertake meaningful reconstruction projects.
Work is conducted in hazardous
environments and under difficult living
conditions.
Deployments are 12 months in duration.
Assignments are contingent upon obtaining and
maintaining medical (Class 1 worldwide,
unrestricted) and security (Secret) clearances.
These positions are subject to special pay
allowances and differentials which are equal to
75 percent on top of base salary and locality
pay plus applicable premium (overtime) pay.
USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)
provides overall coordination for USDA's efforts in Afghanistan. For current
USDA employees, FAS covers the actual costs
associated with the 12-month detail once the
employee has obtained the necessary clearances
and has completed all mandatory trainings.
TO APPLY:
Applications must be
submitted to
USAJOBS the official job site of the federal
government. Please go to
http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/agency.aspx,
select Foreign Agricultural Service.
Duties
- Coordinate and
implement projects and programs linked to
the U. S. Agricultural Assistance Strategy.
Assess agricultural
needs and advise the PRT, ADT, Regional
Command, Task Force and Ministry leadership
on projects to support agricultural
reconstruction;
Provide
agricultural project development and
technical expertise and serve as the key
agricultural team leader to the ADT Leader,
PRT Leader, Regional Commands, Task Forces,
USAID field project officer, and the U.S.
State Department representative as well
as officials of the Afghan Government, and
representatives of humanitarian aid
organizations and UN agencies;
Build capacity
of Afghan agricultural officials to develop
and implement agricultural extension and
development activities; and
Work as a key team
member of the PRT, working closely with the
PRT Leader, civilian representatives from
USAID and the U.S. State Department; and
other aid organizations and agencies.
Skill Areas
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Agricultural extension
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Livestock health and animal
production (e.g. sheep, goats,
cattle, or poultry)
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Dry land agriculture, especially
improvement of wheat yields and crop
diversification
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Production and processing of
horticultural crops, especially
dried fruit and nuts, fresh melons,
pomegranates, and grapes
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Irrigation and farm water use
efficiency and storage
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Tree production, reforestation,
re-vegetation
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Agribusiness and marketing
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Engineering for a variety of
agricultural needs
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Strategic planning for the
agricultural sector
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Knowledge, Skills,
and Abilities (KSAs)
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Expertise in one or more of the
skill areas listed
(see
left)
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Experience
working in developing countries and
in multicultural settings, e.g.,
living and working under difficult
conditions in a developing country
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Ability to work on a team and train
others (build their technical
capacity)
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Ability to develop projects with a
basic understanding of military
planning and operational processes
and structures
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Ability to prioritize and define
agricultural priorities, weigh
various approaches to achieve
objectives, and motivate changes in
approach or funding as warranted
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Good
research, analytical, writing, and
oral communication skills, and a
high degree of personal initiative
to enable the incumbent to
effectively seek, advocate and gain
acceptance of agricultural technical
ideas
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Familiarity with MS Office (Word,
Excel, Access, PowerPoint) programs
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Contact USDA About Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs)
Learn more about USDA activities in
Afghanistan |
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