Agricultural Specialist at US Embassy

Announcement Number: Lagos-2019-040
Location: Lagos
Series/Grade: LE - 1515 10
Work Schedule: Full-time - 40 hours per week
Promotion Potential: LE-10
Security Clearance Required: Public Trust - Background Investigation
Appointment Type: Permanent

Summary

• The work schedule for this position is: Full Time (40 hours per week)
• Start Date: Candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time (6 weeks) of receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.
• Supervisory Position: No
• Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No
• Travel Required: 25% or less
• The Incumbent travels within Nigeria and surrounding countries, and the United States for training and trade mission support.

Basic Function of the Position

• The incumbent is the lead advisor to the Foreign Agricultural Service, Office of Agricultural Affairs (FAS OAA) Lagos Agricultural Counselor and the Foreign Agricultural Service's Washington-based analysts on highly complex trade policy, marketing, and reporting issues affecting exports of U.S. agricultural products into Nigeria and the surrounding countries (the Republic of Benin and Cameroon).
• S/he represents the diverse interests of U.S Department of Agriculture, U.S. farmers, and agribusiness in the countries covered by Foreign Agricultural Service-Lagos
• The incumbent is also responsible for providing guidance to the office staff on recruitment of candidates to participate in capacity building training such as the Cochran Fellowship Programs in the United States
• Additionally, s/he manages U.S. exported agricultural products to Nigeria, is responsible for required and voluntary reporting on domestic commodities in Nigeria and the surrounding countries, and recruits agribusiness representatives to attend trade shows in the United States to meet U.S. producers and distributors of agricultural products
• The position is supervised by the FAS Agricultural Counselor.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Experience:

• Five years of progressive experience in business, management, economic-policy analyses, particularly in agricultural related field is required.

Job Knowledge:

• Thorough understanding of Nigeria agricultural policies, trade policies and practices: as well as excellent knowledge of agribusiness in the U.S. and in Nigeria is required
• Knowledge of Foreign Agricultural Service programs, reporting requirements and procedures, goals and objectives is required.

Education Requirements:

• Master's Degree in Agricultural Science, Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Economics or Business Administration is required.

Evaluations:

• Language: Level IV (Fluent) Speaking/Writing/ Reading in English Language is required.

Skills and Abilities: 

• Ability to prepare well-crafted factual based analytical reports that includes forecasts of future trends or expected changes in agriculture products production and utilization is required
• Ability to maintain objectivity when providing professional advice and recommendation; as well as ability to work in a team setting, and act as a leader in guiding the development of strategies to achieve the office goal are required
• Proficiency in Microsoft office software programs for running statistical analysis, and developing power point presentation slides for office reports and for briefing office stakeholders.
• Post may choose to add the phrase “This may be tested” after a language, skill, and/or ability.  Review the VA template for specific information.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO):

• The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Qualifications:

• All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.

Benefits and Other Information
Agency Benefits:

• Locally Employed Staff, including Members of Household (MOHs), and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), working at the U.S. Mission in Lagos, Nigeria may receive a compensation package that may include health, separation, and other benefits.
• For EFMs, benefits should be discussed with the Human Resources Office.
• The pay plan is assigned at the time of the conditional offer letter by the HR Office.

Other Information:
Hiring Preference Selection Process:

• Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below
• Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application
• Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.

Hiring Preference Order:

• AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
• AEFM / USEFM
• FS on LWOP and CS with reemployment rights **

Important

• Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”), equivalent documentation, or certification
• A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant
• The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given.
• This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.
• For more information (i.e., what is an EFM, USEFM, AEFM, MOH, etc.?) and for additional employment considerations, please visit the following link.

Marketing Statement:

• We encourage you to read and understand the Eight (8) Qualities of Overseas Employees (pdf) before you apply.

Salary

• N11,335,349; (USD $51,721) per annum.