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U.S. Working in Iraq—Agricultural Projects
Detail Opportunities in
Iraq and Afghanistan for
USDA Employees
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The Secretary of Agriculture is seeking
applications from qualified U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) employees for detail
assignments in Afghanistan and
Iraq as Agricultural Advisors on
Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs).
In Afghanistan
and Iraq the U.S.
Government (USG) is working to foster security,
stability and development under situations of
post-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 Advisors 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% 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 Afghanistan and
Iraq. Furthermore, 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: Please send the following:
(1) cover letter with complete descriptions
of qualifications that directly address each
of the required skills (KSAs) listed below;
and (2) current resume of experience and
qualifications to
prt@fas.usda.gov. Email
applications are strongly preferred. Please
state clearly in the email the position for
which you are applying and country
preference if any. Interested applicants,
GS 11 or above, are encouraged to apply
immediately. Application Deadline: 1st
and 15th of every month.
Applications will be reviewed after set
closing dates and only qualified applicants
will be contacted for interviews. Selections
are made on a rolling basis.
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 or Afghan
Government, and representatives of
humanitarian aid organizations and UN
agencies;
- Build capacity of Iraqi and 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 (i.e. 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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Knowledge, Skills,
and Abilities (KSAs)
- 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, i.e., living
and working under difficult
conditions in a developing country
- Ability
to work on a team and train others
(build their technical capacity).
- Ability
to develop projects with a basic
understanding of military planning
and operational processes and
structures.
- 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.
- Familiarity with MS Office (Word,
Excel, Access, PowerPoint) programs
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For more information please
check:
http://www.fas.usda.gov/icd/iraq/detailops_04-07.asp
Contact USDA About Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs)
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