Employment Opportunity

Development Project Specialist (Economic Growth)

OPEN TO: All interested candidates
POSITION: Development Project Specialist (Economic Growth), FSN-11
OPENING DATE: October 1, 2009
CLOSING DATE: October 14, 2009
WORK HOURS: Full time (40 hrs/ per week)
SALARY: Ordinarily Resident FSN-11

NOTE: ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking an individual for the position of Development Project Specialist (Economic Growth) for the Economic Growth Office (EG).

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION
The Development Project Specialist (Economic Growth) is a key member of the Economic Growth team, which focuses on agriculture, environment and trade capacity building.  As a team member, the incumbent will be called on to manage activities in any of these sectors, contributing technical and financial oversight to these activities as activity manager or C/AOTR.  Further, the specialist will contribute technical advice to support the development of new activities, or revision of ongoing activities within the Economic Growth portfolio.  The specialist will support the Mission Environmental Officer to assure environmental compliance of assigned activities, other activities in the EG portfolio, and activities in other Mission offices.

A copy of the complete position description, listing all duties and responsibilities, is available in the Human Resources Office.  Contact Human Resources at extension 7328 or 7326.

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

1. Education: a Bachelors degree in Biology, Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Ecology, Environmental Science, Forestry, or other related field in the areas of either trade, agriculture or natural resources management; five years of progressively responsible experience; or a Masters degree in these same fields of study and three years of progressively responsible experience; or a Ph.D. and one year of progressively responsible experience is required.  
2. From one to five years of progressively responsible experience in ecology/natural resource management, agriculture or agriculture management, trade capacity building or other related field depending on the highest academic degree received (see Education box). 
3. Level IV: in both English and Spanish, written and spoken is required.  This will be tested.
4. Knowledge of Nicaraguan environment, agriculture and trade sectors including laws and regulations which affect the sectors.  Should have a thorough knowledge of Nicaraguan public and private sector. 
5. Skills: adaptability and ability to work in teams are keys to success in this position, which relies on a team approach to managing a variety of projects in different economic growth sectors; must be able to develop and maintain an extensive range of senior-level contacts in public sector circles; must obtain, analyze, and evaluate relatively complex data and to prepare precise accurate reports, work plans and other documents. Proficiency in use of Excel, Word, and other computer programs.

SELECTION PROCESS
It is essential that the candidate 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.
2. Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply.

TO APPLY
Interested candidates for this position should submit the following or the application will not be considered:

1. Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF-612) or
2. A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information as an OF-612; plus
3. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards, and copies of degrees earned) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.
4. Brief introductory letter, in English.

You can download form OF-612: Application for Federal Employment here - in pdf format

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO:
USAID
Human Resources Office
Managua.

POINT OF CONTACT
USAID/Human Resources Office
Attention: Alexander Olivares
HR Specialist Ext. 7328 or 7326.

DEFINITIONS

1. Ordinarily Resident (OR): A citizen of the host country or a citizen of another country who has shifted the main residency focus to the host country and has the required work and/or residency permits for employment in country.

CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION: October 14, 2009

The US Mission in Nicaragua provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status or sexual orientation.  The Department also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.

The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation.  Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.