Agricultural Development Afghanistan

USAID is seeking experienced professionals in the agriculture sciences to work with us to support the people of Afghanistan.
This announcement is being used to consider internal Merit Promotion and external candidates. You will be considered under all categories for which you are eligible.
DUTIES:(The duties described reflect the full performance level of this position)
The full performance level of this position is at the FS-02 level.
Agricultural Development Officers (ADOs) will be based in Afghanistan and assigned to one of the Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs), District Support Teams (DSTs), Regional Command Centers, and in some cases Kabul itself (See General Background section). ADOs will live and work with other members of the PRT, often in rustic and challenging conditions (See physical requirements section in this announcement). ADOs will support agriculture and rural development assistance programs in various locations in Afghanistan by developing strategies, analytical models, and methodologies; analyzing data; and providing assistance and advice on agriculture and rural development issues.
Strategic Planning: For country, regional, or provincial programming, performs strategic analysis of trends, and future areas of opportunity and problems, as input to Agency strategic planning. Develops or contributes to strategic planning documents, country assistance strategies, sector strategies, and similar planning exercises. Employs analytical tools and insight to provide guidance to managers for decisions about allocation of resources to agriculture and rural development programs, and as input to cross-cutting issues such as environment or gender.
Program Analysis: Serves as a technical resource and advisor, providing analyses of agriculture and rural development sector trends in Afghanistan to inform management and program managers of relevant factors that may affect the U.S. assistance program. Participates on technical evaluation committees for agriculture and rural development project proposals, and oversees contracted technical assistance and commodity interventions to agricultural programs. Ensures statistical soundness of data used to track program performance, and proposes statistical indicators of program success. Communicates results of analysis both verbally and in writing to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Develops criteria for project and program evaluation statements of work and briefs evaluation teams regarding agricultural background and conditions within which USAID programs operate.
Agriculture Policy Guidance: Analyzes agriculture policies currently in effect in Afghanistan and briefs and advises senior USAID, military, and other USG management regarding agriculture policy issues relevant to successful achievement of USG assistance objectives. Develops professional contacts with agriculture and other officials in the Afghan government, resident missions of the international financial institutions, bilateral donors, embassies, as well as within the local academic and business communities. Ensures coordination with all USG activities in the agriculture sector.