Apply by April 16th to be an International Affairs Specialist
The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) works to improve foreign market access for U.S. products, build new markets, improve the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace, and provide food aid and technical assistance to foreign countries.
The individuals will be assigned to the Scientific Exchanges Branch and will be responsible for developing and managing training programs in the U.S. for international public and private sector agriculturalists in areas related to agricultural research, agricultural trade, marketing, policy and technology transfer among others. Primary responsibilities include planning, developing, arranging, coordinating and evaluating training programs in agricultural disciplines for international participants. Other tasks may be assigned as appropriate by the Branch Chief.
The volume of work limits the ability of the incumbent to delegate administrative duties to lower-graded positions. Thus, there is a significant administrative workload integral to the position, including but not limited to the following activities: reviewing applications and preparing biographies of candidates, writing scopes of work for training providers, providing participant orientations, ensuring that expenditures are properly obligated and that budgets are reconciled in a timely manner, managing a variety of obligating documents (procurement requests, cooperative agreements, fund cite cables, maintenance checks, etc.), preparing weekly program highlights, contributing to briefing papers and maintaining regular contact with training providers.
A College Degree is required for this position.
Required Skills:
- Candidates should have at least a Bachelor’s degree with relevant training and/or experience in agriculture, economics, natural resources, international trade and/or international development/relations sufficient to apply that knowledge in the development and implementation of appropriate international training programs.
- Proficiency in a major foreign language and overseas experience is preferable but not required. Equivalent experience can be substituted for academic qualifications.
- Knowledge of U.S. educational institutions and/or agricultural businesses that have strong agricultural education, research, and training programs.
- Experience in planning and carrying out management, administrative and fiscal tasks (including budget monitoring) surrounding the planning and development of agricultural training programs for international participants. Ability to handle multiple tasks with close attention to detail.
- Knowledge of the developmental and educational needs of middle-income countries or emerging democracies as well as the role of training as a tool to help meet those needs.
- Skills in interpersonal relationships to effectively maintain working relations with individuals from universities, other USDA agencies, trade associations, international organizations, the U.S. private sector, and foreign governments and participants.
- A solid working knowledge of micro-computer uses and skill in using word processing software, databases and telecommunications systems. Ability to generate high quality reports and memos from database programs in a timely manner.
For more information and to apply, see the original posting at http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/373516-133/c