Agency: U.S. Agency for International Development
Organization: Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security, Center for Nutrition, Nutrition Technical Services Division (REFS/CN/NTS)
Location of Position: Washington, DC
Telework Eligibility: Telework eligible for up to two days per week (four days a pay period)
Remote Eligibility: The position is NOT remote eligible
Open Period: May 8, 2024 – May 29, 2024
Appointment Type: This is an excepted service, a time-limited appointment, not-to-exceed five years; may also be considered for two, two-year extensions depending on the needs of the service
Salary: (USD) $132,860 – $191,900 annually
Number of Vacancies: One

Description of Organization: REFS/Center for Nutrition (CN) provides technical and programmatic leadership in nutrition-sensitive agriculture, food systems, and food safety in support of the Feed the Future (FTF), the U.S. Government’s (USG’s) global hunger and food security initiative. CN also plays a broader, Agency-wide role as the Secretariat for the USAID Nutrition Leadership Council (NLC), and in partnership with the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) and the Bureau for Global Health (GH), provides cross-Bureau leadership for technical strategy development, external engagement, data analytics, and knowledge management in support of the Agency’s Multi-Sector Nutrition Strategy (MSNS), the USG Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS), the USG Global Nutrition Coordination Plan and the Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act. CN is responsible for strengthening links between USAID’s multi-sectoral nutrition programming by harmonizing strategies and resources while providing technical guidance, oversight, and programmatic coordination to USAID Missions. The position will be situated within CN’s Division for Nutrition Technical Services (REFS/CN/NTS), but will provide high-quality technical, analytic, and programmatic support to other Bureaus and Missions at all stages of the food system using a nutrition lens.

Duties and Responsibilities: The Agricultural Development Officer will serve as a Nutrition and Food Business Advisor who provides thought, leadership, and technical expertise on food policy, science, and technology to advise REFS, Missions, and the Agency on nutrition and food systems programming. The incumbent will manage USAID AFFORD (Advancing Food Fortification Opportunities to Reinforce Diets), an activity aimed at reducing micronutrient inadequacies and improving diets, particularly for women and children, through the large-scale food fortification (LSFF) of staple foods and condiments. Specifically, it is expected that the incumbent will be the Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) for USAID AFFORD, which provides high-quality technical, analytic, and programmatic support to all stages of LSFF program design and implementation. Food fortification is a critical component of responding to the triple crises of climate, COVID-19, and conflict impacts on increased wasting and malnutrition. In addition to managing centrally-funded programs, the advisor will support field activities that facilitate missions’ and partner countries’ efforts and abilities to achieve improved nutrition outcomes. The incumbent will serve on REFS Country Support Teams to provide technical support for the integration of nutrition within both health systems and food systems into relevant field programs by providing field support to missions undertaking multi-sectoral nutrition programming. This includes supporting the development of comprehensive approaches that address the intersection between food insecurity and malnutrition and the secondary impacts from the war in Ukraine.

Specialized Experience: For the FL-02 (GS-14 equivalent), you must have one year of specialized experience at the FL-03 (GS-13) grade level or equivalent. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Providing expert advice and guidance on nutrition, the role of the private sector in food systems transformation, and large-scale food fortification;
• Designing, assessing, analyzing, and managing the implementation of food systems programs;
• Establishing and maintaining a network of effective working relationships with the private sector, professional colleagues, and institutions on food technology; and large-scale food fortification to advance food systems programming for healthy diets.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Broad understanding and knowledge of food science and technology, encompassing production, preservation, processing, packaging, distribution, and use of safe food;
• Experience working with the private sector on food and nutrition topics;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; and
• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with industry, private sector, government, and consumer groups to support food systems transformation for healthy diets.

Qualifications:

• Must be a U.S. citizen (Candidates must indicate whether or not they are a U.S. citizen in their application. If citizenship is not stated, the application will not be considered).
• Must meet the Foreign Service Limited (FSL) years of experience requirements to qualify for the position and grade (or equivalent).
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret-level security clearance.

Interested candidates must submit the following:

• A cover letter expressing interest and clearly addressing the stated requirements for the position.
• A resume/CV that must include the month, year, and the number of hours worked per week for each position listed.
• At least three professional references.

Other Applicable Documents:

• An applicant claiming Veterans Preference must submit all appropriate documentation (DD-214, Service Disability Letter, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, etc.); and
• An applicant serving as a current/former political appointee must submit all appropriate documentation (SF-50s, appointment letter, etc.).

Please submit your application package to [email protected]. Please use the subject line: “REFS_390 FSL APPLICATION PACKAGE: Agricultural Development Officer, FL-0401-02, PD #43366.” Application submissions are required by 11:59 p.m. EST, May 29, 2024. Incomplete packages without all of the required documents, or packages not submitted by the deadline with the specified subject line, will not receive consideration. This notice may be used to fill additional vacancies, as the workforce needs of the Bureau may change.

USAID Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Commitment
USAID envisions a world where all individuals are valued, have equitable access to opportunities, and are included, respected, and safe in their societies. USAID embraces diversity as outlined in USAID’s equal employment opportunity (EEO) statement. We seek to elevate and include the voices of the USAID workforce, recognizing and valuing the unique contributions of all stakeholders. USAID also strives to improve equity for underrepresented communities that have historically been denied fair and just treatment, and improve accessibility in all facets at USAID.

EEO Policy Statement
Reasonable Accommodation Policy
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Any questions concerning this notice may be directed to the REFS Recruitment Center at [email protected].