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Opportunities in
Iraq
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Printable version
The Secretary of
Agriculture is seeking applications
from qualified U.S. citizens for detail
assignments in Iraq as Agricultural
Experts on
Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs).
In Iraq the U.S.
Government (USG) works to foster security,
stability and development under situations of
conflict or post-conflict, through the use of
PRTs. PRTs are military/civilian-led units
typically composed of about 50 or more military
and civilian personnel. PRTs establish security
and support reconstruction projects and programs
in a province to enable the national government
to accomplish their reconstruction goals. The
USDA Experts on PRTs work with other USG
partners and the host government to undertake
meaningful reconstruction projects. Work will
be conducted in hazardous environments and under
difficult living conditions.
Deployments begin in
summer 2009 and 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 the
Department’s efforts in Iraq. 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:
- Assess agricultural needs and advise the
PRT leadership on projects to support
agricultural reconstruction;
- Provide agricultural project development
and technical expertise to the PRT Leader,
USAID field project officer, and the U.S.
State Department representative as well as
provincial officials of the Iraqi
Government, and representatives of
humanitarian aid organizations and UN
agencies;
- Build capacity of Iraqi 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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For Iraq:
http://www.fas.usda.gov/country/iraq/development/iraq.asp
Contact USDA About Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs)
See
Agriculture in Afghanistan: Rebuilding for a Stable, Secure Country |
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