Development Program Specialist

Job Description

BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION:

The Development Program Specialist serves as the Water/Agriculture Development technical advisor for the Social Environmental and Economic Development (SEED) Office in USAID/Nepal. This position is located in the Feed the Future Team and will provide knowledge on technologies to increase water availability for agricultural development and other key development challenges affecting the agriculture sector, including low agricultural productivity, soil and water management, impact of watershed health on water availability, food safety, enabling policy environment, market linkages, and private sector engagement. This position will complement other staff on the team by focusing on water resources, soil and water management, and irrigation for improved agricultural productivity, while protecting the natural resource base and biodiversity. This position will assist USAID/Nepal with the successful implementation of USAID’s Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS)Within the GFSS Country plan, agriculture plays a key role to reduce poverty and decrease undernutrition while improving household resilience. The incumbent serves as USAID’s representative to our contractors and recipients, Government of Nepal and other donors. He/she also provides advice and support to the rural development activities undertaken by other USAID teams.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Education: A minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Sciences, Agri-Business or other related discipline is required with a focus on water, integrated watershed management, or irrigation.     
2. Prior Work Experience:  The Water / Agriculture Specialist must have a minimum of five years of relevant experience in food security programs, agricultural policy reform, economic growth program design, management, and monitoring and evaluation, at the senior professional or management level in government, NGOs, donor organizations or the private sector.     
3. Post-Entry Training:  USAID required trainings on project design and activity management and Agreement/Contracting Officer’s Representative (AOR/COR) Training will be prioritized. The incumbent may be encouraged to participate in trainings related to leadership, monitoring, evaluation, and learning, and GIS as well as technical trainings, conferences or learning experiences related to economic growth, agriculture, watershed management, trade, and enterprise development.
4. Language Proficiency: Level IV English writing and speaking ability is required. Fluent written and spoken Nepali (Level IV) is required. Must be able to speak in a concise and thoughtful manner on development programs and issues.        
5. Job Knowledge:  Recognized expertise in water and agriculture related to both increased productivity and proper watershed management.  Additional experience in other related development sectors is an asset. In-depth knowledge of a broad range of relevant issues particularly in areas such as food security, resilience, environmental protection, and basin-level planning. In-depth knowledge of strategies, programs, and working methodologies in the agriculture sector, and specific to irrigated agriculture, in Nepal is required. He/she must have knowledge of other donor programs in Nepal’s agriculture and economic growth sectors and familiarity with Government of Nepal (GON) programs. Broad contacts within the GON, private sector, donors, and civil society are required.
6. Skills and Abilities: Expert interpersonal communication and negotiation skills are required. Ability to effectively manage a complex contract to ensure compliance with USAID regulations and the achievement of program objectives. Highly developed program design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills. The capacity to communicate complicated policy, strategy and program issues orally and in writing is required. Good coordination skills and the ability to effectively coordinate with the GON at the central and local levels, with relevant Contractors/Recipients, with other parts of the USAID Mission, and with the interagency to advance program interests. Must be proficient in word processing software, especially in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Must be able to handle sensitive issues diplomatically and use good judgement when speaking on behalf of USAID. Good organization and management skills are required. Knowledge of gender and social inclusion principles and experience in their application are required.

Apply Instructions

A detailed job description for the position can be obtained by visiting USAID/Nepal’s website at http://www.usaid.gov/nepal/careers  or by requesting USAID/Nepal’s Human Resources Office (USAIDNepalHR@usaid.gov).

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and a resume - not to exceed 3 pages - and any other documentation that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed in the detailed job description.  Please provide names of three references and their contact numbers and email addresses as well.  Please send your application to the attention of USAID/Nepal Human Resources Office, U.S Embassy Maharajgunj, G.P.O. Box. 295, Kathmandu, Nepal.  Applications may also be sent electronically to: USAIDNepalHR@usaid.gov.

Only short listed applicants will be contacted to participate in the hiring process.

USAID/Nepal is an equal opportunity employer committed to a staff composition that reflects the social and ethnic diversity of Nepali society.  We believe that social inclusion and diversity contribute to excellence.  Applicants from disadvantaged caste, under-represented ethnic groups, and women are especially encouraged to apply.

This Job is expired. The Company is no longer accepting applications for this position.