Horticulture Specialist at Embassy of the United States Dar Es Salaam

CLOSING DATE OF THE POSITION: December 18, 2013

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

The US Embassy is inviting applications from qualified Tanzanians for the position of Horticulture Specialist at United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Tanzania. This is a full-time Personal Services Contract position. 

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION 

The incumbent is the Mission’s in-house horticulture expert who serves as Horticulture Specialist within USAID/Tanzania Economic Growth (EG) Office on the Feed the Future (FTF) Team. In this capacity, the incumbent manages projects in support of FTF in Tanzania and is responsible for overseeing the implementation of USAID’s Tanzania Agriculture Productivity Project and other related activities aimed at improving production, competitiveness, and accessibility of horticulture crops. The incumbent provides a full range of expert horticulture advice and analytical and technical support to the EG Office, and manages programs that strengthen the horticultural value chain and other value chains, as needed. S/he develops internal Mission documentation supporting project planning and implementation, such as Action Memoranda, Operational Plan, Performance Reports, and others. The Specialist reports to the Agriculture Value Chains Advisor.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

% of Time

60%

Provides technical advisory services on horticulture value chains and markets

1. Provide technical assistance and guidance in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of horticulture-focused programs.
2. With the overall goal of increasing incomes and reducing poverty, support the horticulture value chain development by 1) strengthening programs that promote best farm production, business and conservation practices especially among smallholders, 2) supporting activities that improve access to horticultural markets, market opportunities, and promoting policies that strengthen and grow the industry.
3. Identify opportunities to strengthen producer associations, and/or improve post-harvest processes among handlers.
4. Support the development and adoption of practical and innovative technologies for on-farm and post-harvest areas in the horticulture sector.
5. Ensure USAID maintains effective relationships with other development partners working in food security, and particularly in the horticulture value chain.
6. Conduct assessment of existing USAID investments in horticulture. Provide strategic recommendations for future directions within the FTF portfolio. Participate in various activities related to future project/program design, including: drafting of memorandum; assessing ongoing monitoring of projects; preparing, managing, and reviewing evaluations; and drafting project design documents.
7. Liaise closely with other FTF value chain programs and nutrition programs to ensure alignment of approaches.
8. Communicate project successes and challenges with USAID and other development partners.
9. Serve as point person for the Horticulture Collaborative Research Support Project.

 40%

Serves as Agreements/Contracting Officer Representative (A/COR) for assigned contracts, cooperative agreements, and/or grants

1. As A/COR, the incumbent fulfills a full range of project management responsibilities related to procurement, supervision, performance monitoring, and reporting and provides technical guidance to the implementing partners in accordance with the terms of the contract/agreement. Specifically s/he:

• Provides expert technical advice and direction to contractors’ staff; keep the EG office, Mission management, and the Agreements/Contracting Officer informed on progress of work;
• Ensures that activities achieve their intended results. Monitors technical and financial adequacy and acceptability of delivered goods and services under approved activities through field inspections, reviewing contractor reports, and meetings with project personnel and contractor representatives. Particularly important areas under horticulture activities to monitor are proper usage of pesticides/farm inputs, environmental impacts, nutrition and gender sensitivity, the successfulness of contractors working with Tanzanian local government authorities and other horticulture stakeholders;
• Provides technical assistance to the Agreements/Contracting Officer in responding to the proposed changes in the Scope/s of Work for assigned horticulture activities, the validity of claims and the reasonableness of contract/agreement time extensions: provides appropriate technical assistance to the Acquisition & Assistance staff in issuance and negotiations of change orders in accordance with the USG regulations and procedures;
• Receives and inspects completed services upon delivery, verifies that they meet the acceptance standards and delivery schedules, as specified in the contract;
• Reviews implementing partners’ work plans and financial and technical reports, evaluates the implementing partners’ performance, and prepares written and oral reports for Mission management, USAID/Washington, and the U.S. Congress;
• Submits status, analytical, and other reports, concept papers, and memoranda to the Mission management regarding progress and performance, problems and corrective actions, and general oversight. Reports shall be of sufficient scope so as to be useful to USAID/Tanzania in fully monitoring the progress of contract/grant administration and reviewing contractor performance. Where deficiencies are noted, recommends corrective action.
• Performs other responsibilities including but not limited to: drafting project implementation letters, preparing action memoranda and reports, estimating expenditures, reviewing payment vouchers, responding to audits, assessing claims, and performing other related activities.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

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

1. Education: Possession of a University undergraduate degree in horticulture, agriculture, or another appropriate field is required.


2. Prior Work Experience: At least five (5) years of experience relevant to agriculture value chain activities is required, three (3) of which was spent in a developing country context. Also, must have at least two years of project management experience.


3. Language proficiency: Level IV (fluent) English and Swahili proficiency is required.


4. Knowledge: Must have a thorough professional knowledge of the field of horticulture and a general knowledge of allied fields. Must have a thorough knowledge of sound local and international best practices in horticulture value chain development. Knowledge of project development, design, management, performance monitoring, and reporting is required. Must have a good knowledge of host-country contacts (official and non-governmental) in the areas of agriculture and food security.


5. Skills and Abilities:
   • Must have proven ability to identify appropriate, low-cost, easy-to-use technologies and incorporate these innovations into existing programs.
   • Proven, demonstrated problem solving skills and ability to work calmly, tactfully and effectively under tight deadlines and heavy workload within agreed upon parameters with minimal supervision or guidance and while exercising sound judgment is required.
   • Strong analytical skills are required. Ability to conceptualize and present information in the most effective, easy-to-understand manner.
   • Must have proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly and concisely – both orally and in writing - in English. Strong written and verbal communication skills are required to resolve budget, activity implementation, and administrative issues with implementing partners and team members.
   • Ability to work both independently and in a team environment is required.
   • Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and other relevant software) are required to analyze, monitor, and present information, including constructing comprehensive and easy-to-follow budget tables.
   SELECTION PROCESS
   
   When fully qualified, US Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) and US Veterans are given preference. Therefore, it is essential that the candidate specifically 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. 
   
   TO APPLY
   
   Interested candidates for this position must submit the following for consideration of the application:
   1. Universal Application for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174). A hard copy of the application form (DS-174) is also available at the American Embassy, gate 3; or
   
   
   2. A combination of both; i.e. Sections 1 -24 of the UAE along with a listing of the applicant’s work experience attached as a separate sheet; or
   
   
   3. A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information found on the UAE (see section 3A below for more information); plus
   4. Candidates who claim US Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application. Candidates who claim conditional US Veterans preference must submit documentation confirming eligibility for a conditional preference in hiring with their application
   5. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.
   3A. If an applicant is submitting a resume or curriculum vitae, s/he must provide the following information equal to what is found on the UAE. 
   
   Failure to do so will result in an incomplete application.
   A. Position Title
   B. Position Grade
   C. Vacancy Announcement Number (if known) 
   D. Dates Available for Work
   E. First, Middle, & Last Names as well as any other names used
   F. Date and Place of Birth
   G. Current Address, Day, Evening, and Cell phone numbers
   H. U.S. Citizenship Status (Yes or No) & status of permanent U.S. Resident (Yes or No; if yes, provide number) 
   I. U.S. Social Security Number and/or Identification Number
   J. Eligibility to work in the country (Yes or No) 
   K. Special Accommodations the Mission needs to provide 
   L. If applying for position that includes driving a U.S. Government vehicle, Driver’s License Class / Type 
   M. Days available to work
   N. List any relatives or members of your household that work for the U.S. Government (include their Name, Relationship, & Agency, Position, Location) 
   O. U.S. Eligible Family Member and Veterans Hiring Preference 
   P. Education 
   Q. License, Skills, Training, Membership, & Recognition
   R. Language Skills 
   S. Work Experience
   T. References
   SUBMIT APPLICATION TO
   
   American Embassy
   Human Resources Office
   P.O. Box 9123
   Dar es Salaam
   
   POINT OF CONTACT
   
   Telephone: 229 4000, Ext: 4137/4148/4233/4024
   Fax: 2294726
   CLOSING DATE OF THE POSITION: December 18, 2013