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U.S. Working in Iraq—Agricultural Projects
Detail Opportunities in
Iraq and Afghanistan for
USDA Employees
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The Secretary of Agriculture is seeking
applications from qualified U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) employees for detail
assignments in Iraq and Afghanistan as
Agricultural Advisors on Provincial
Reconstruction Teams (PRTs).
In Iraq and
Afghanistan
the U.S. Government is working to foster
security, stability and development under
situations of post-conflict or unfinished
conflict, through the use of PRTs. PRTs are
military/civilian-led units typically composed
of about 50 or more military and civilian
personnel. PRTs help establish security and
support reconstruction projects and programs in
a province, enabling the national government to
accomplish their reconstruction goals. The USDA
personnel on PRTs work actively with other USG
partners and the host government to undertake
meaningful reconstruction projects.
Assignments will be for
12-month deployments on a rolling basis
beginning July 2008 and on into 2009. Interested
applicants, GS 11 or above, are encouraged to
apply immediately as applications will be
reviewed as received and qualified applicants
will be contacted for interviews. Assignment
contingent upon obtaining medical and security
clearances.
Application Deadline:
1st and 15th of every month until all positions
are filled.
Employee Benefits: Selected applicants
will receive a package of allowances and
differentials on top of base salary that
currently equal 75% of base salary plus
applicable premium pay.
Duties:
- Assess agricultural needs and advise on
projects the PRT could develop or fund to
support agricultural reconstruction in its
province;
- Help develop, monitor, and ensure
success of agricultural reconstruction
activities of the PRT;
- Provide agricultural project development
and technical expertise to the PRT director,
USAID field project officer, and the U.S.
State Department representative, as well as
provincial officials of the Iraqi or Afghan
Government, and representatives of
humanitarian aid organizations and UN
agencies;
- Build capacity of Iraqi and Afghan
agricultural officials through training and
mentoring to develop and implement
agricultural extension and development
activities;
- Work as a key team member of the PRT,
working closely with the PRT director, and
the civilian representatives from USAID and
the U.S. State Department; and
- Willing to live and work in remote
locations in a volatile and unpredictable
security environment.
Skill Areas
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Agricultural extension
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Improving livestock health and
animal production (sheep, goats,
cattle, or poultry)
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Dryland agriculture, especially
improvement of wheat yields and crop
diversification
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Production and processing of
horticultural crops, especially
dried fruit and nuts, fresh melons,
pomegranates, and grapes
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Improving irrigation and farm water
use efficiency and storage
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Tree production, reforestation,
re-vegetation
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Agribusiness
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Engineering for a variety of
agricultural needs
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Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
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Ability in one or more of the skill
areas listed (see left)
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Experience or ability in identifying
needs and fashioning
technical and programmatic
recommendations
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Ability to work with others on a
team
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Experience in or interest in working
with people from other countries or
cultures
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Ability to develop projects
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Ability to train others and build
their technical capacity
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Other skills or abilities you wish
to mention
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Familiarity with MS Office programs
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TO APPLY: Send a resume and a statement
addressing how you meet each one of the
knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) noted
above to
prt@fas.usda.gov. For more information
please call Matt Murphy at (202) 690-1924.
USDA’s Foreign Agricultural
Service is providing overall coordination for
the Department’s efforts in
Iraq and
Afghanistan. FAS is reimbursing all agency
costs associated with these assignments.
Contact USDA About Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs)
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