Agency: U.S. Agency for International Development
Organization: Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security, Center for Agriculture-Led Growth, Division for Markets Systems and Finance (REFS/CA/MSF)
Location of Position: Washington, DC
Open Period: Jun 25, 2024 to July 19, 2024
Appointment Type: This is an excepted service, a time-limited appointment that is not to exceed five (5) years and may be considered for 2 two-year extensions depending on the needs of the service
Telework/Remote Eligibility: Telework eligible for up to four days per pay period (two days per week).
Remote Eligibility: The position is NOT remote eligible.
Salary: $163,964 – $191,900/ per year (including Washington, DC locality pay)
Number of Vacancies: 1

Description of Organization: The Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security (REFS) is responsible for worldwide leadership and integrated technical expertise of the programming of USAID in agricultural-led growth and environmental sustainability. REFS’s expertise encompasses climate; energy; environment; infrastructure; food security; nutrition; resilience; and water security, sanitation, and hygiene, with the goals of increasing resilience, sustainability, self-reliance, and enhancing U.S. National Security and economic prosperity. With an annual Feed the Future initiative budget of roughly $1 billion, REFS has the overall responsibility for strategic planning, funding, design, implementation, oversight, and evaluation of all programs and projects that contribute to Feed the Future’s Global Food Security Strategy. This position is located in the Center for Agriculture-Led Growth in the Market Systems and Finance Division (REF/CA/MSF).

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as an expert advisor in shaping and improving the Bureau’s approach to the private sector to maximize the impact of these lines of effort in achieving resilience and food security goals and objectives.
• Provides technical expertise and private sector background to develop policies, strategies, and programs related to agricultural market solutions for international development, including: improved access to inputs, and the promotion of markets and marketing with attention to agri-business and agri-trade supporting public policies and private practices.
• Provide senior-level technical leadership across a diverse agricultural finance portfolio in support of Global Food Security Strategy implementation through increasing financial inclusion for smallholder farmers, agri-SMEs and other stakeholders within agricultural market systems.
• Build relationships with commercial partners, understand their business model, the market needs they have identified and constraints to expansion they experience, and relatedly assist in the scaling of scientific research to counterparts in the development community.
• The Deputy Division Chief will actively function in one of several administrative capacities: supervision and approval of leave and time and attendance; assisting in the development and approval of travel; supporting quarterly and annual evaluations of MSF staff; as well as supporting staff recruitment, professional development, and retention.
• Provide support to Missions through, for example, REFS’ Office of Country Implementation, or by providing technical direction to Team Leaders and/or Operating Units on specific technical issues.
• Administratively support the Division Chief in areas of budget management, staff support, and other areas of responsibility.
• Develop concise, informative reports, briefing materials, and talking points on complex subjects, with short lead times. Review draft reports to ensure accuracy, precision, and clarity of presentation of economic issues and data.

Specialized Experience: For the FL-01 (GS-15 equivalent) grade level, you must have one year of specialized experience at the FL-02 grade (GS-14 equivalent) level or equivalent. To qualify for the position of Supervisory Private Sector Specialist FSL-01, the knowledge, skills and abilities possessed by the preferred candidate include:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work collaboratively and engage effectively in a team environment.
• Candidates with demonstrated ability to provide technical assistance in agricultural finance, scaling of technology , private sector engagement and market system interventions are preferred.
• Experience working with international development organizations, such as USAID, international donors, NGOs, or development finance institutions is preferred, as well as overseas experience working with USAID Missions or country offices is highly desirable. The candidate must have proven skills in leadership, coordination, and program management and implementation.
• In addition, the following skills and abilities are highly desirable: Of particular interest is skills in written communication, especially with technical knowledge written for a general audience. This will include, contributing to, and editing speeches, briefers, short project descriptions and longer technical pieces. Skills in oral communication, sufficient to prepare clear direction and guidelines; to articulate positions for acceptance by upper management and a general audience. Skills in coordination are necessary to work with colleagues in Washington and Mission. Ability to effectively analyze and solve problems and to evaluate and resolve situations that represent obstacles to goals and objectives. Expertise in agricultural development broadly articulated including finance, market systems, scaling, and private sector engagement is a plus.
• Supervisory experience, particularly in managing senior technical experts. It may also include experience in the mentoring and development of junior staff or staff that are new to the Market System and Finance Division or the Center for Agriculture-led Growth.
• Organizing and executing learning events around monitoring and evaluation such as brown bags, presentations, and conferences.

Education Requirement:

• You must possess the required basic Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be a U.S. citizen. Candidates must indicate whether or not they are a US Citizen. If citizenship is not stated, application will not be considered.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret-level security clearance.

Required Documents:

• Cover letter: Candidates are required to submit a cover letter expressing interest and clearly addressing the stated requirements for the position
• Resume/CV: Candidates must include month, year and the number of hours worked per week for each position listed; and
• Transcripts: Official or unofficial transcripts, if applicable.

Other applicable documents:

• Veteran’s Preference: Applicants claiming Veterans Preference must submit all appropriate documentation (DD-214, Service Disability Letter, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, etc.).
• 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_391 FSL APPLICATION PACKAGE: Supervisory Private Sector Officer, FL-01, REFS/CA/MSF, PD#43842.” Application submissions are required by 11:59 pm (EST), July 19, 2024. Packages not submitted by the deadline with the specified subject line—or incomplete packages—will not receive consideration.

This notice may be used to fill additional vacancies, as the workforce needs of the Bureau may change.

USAID DEI 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 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 Stephen Morin at [email protected].