Agricultural Development Officer (Agrifood Systems and Policy Advisor), FL-0401-02

USAID's Center for Nutrition provides technical and programmatic leadership in nutrition-sensitive agriculture, food systems, and food safety in support of the Feed the Future, the United States Government's (USG) global hunger and food security initiative. CN also plays a broader, Agency-wide role as the Secretariat for the USAID Nutrition Leadership Council (NLC), and in collaboration and partnership with the Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) and Bureau for Global Health (GH), provides cross-Bureau leadership for technical strategy development, external engagement, data analytics, and knowledge management in support of the Agency's Multi-Sector Nutrition Strategy, the USG Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS), the USG Global Nutrition Coordination Plan, and the Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act. CN provides technical and programmatic leadership in sustainable food systems for healthy diets, food safety, and regional food trade. The position will be situated within FS and will provide high-quality technical, analytic, and programmatic support to REFS, other Bureaus, and USAID Missions on agrifood systems and policy topics related to sustainable food systems for safe, healthy diets.

Duties and Responsibilities: The Agricultural Development Officer will serve as an Agrifood Systems and Policy Advisor, providing thought leadership and technical expertise on trade of safe and nutritious food, support to local small and medium agrifood businesses for increased affordability and safety of nutritious food, and policy and analytical support for sustainable food systems for healthy diets to REFS, Missions, and the Agency.

As the Agrifood Systems and Policy Advisor, you will: 

• Manage and develop programs, partnerships and multi-donor activities that address strengthening agrifood systems, expanding food markets and trade, addressing food safety risks, and reducing food loss and waste;
• Formulate programming guidance and assist with strategic nutrition-sensitive agriculture programming related to local agrifood systems development and policy prioritization and implementation;
• Promote agrifood systems strengthening that increases access and affordability of safe, nutritious food and collaborate with host country industries and governments to help them set and meet nutrition and food systems goals; and
• Serve as a critical point of contact with persons and groups inside and outside of USAID to promote the overarching GFSS goals of reducing hunger, poverty, and malnutrition through expanding access to safe, affordable, and healthy diets.

Specialized Experience: For the FL-02 (GS-14 equivalent) grade level, you must have one year of specialized experience at the FL-03 (GS-13) grade level or equivalent. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Providing expert advice and guidance on agrifood systems, the role of policy in food systems transformation, and the enabling environment for regional food trade and local agrifood systems;
• Designing, assessing, analyzing, and managing the implementation of market-oriented food systems programs; and
• Establishing and maintaining a network of effective working relationships with the private sector, professional colleagues, and institutions in support of strengthening agrifood systems and policy.

Conditions of Employment: 

• Must be a U.S. citizen. Candidates must indicate citizenship on their application. If citizenship is not stated, the application will not be considered; and
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret-level security clearance.

Interested candidates must submit the following:

• A cover letter expressing interest and clearly addressing the stated requirements for the position;
• A resume/CV that must include the month, year, and the number of hours worked per week for each position listed; and
• At least three professional references.

Other Applicable Documents:

• An applicant claiming Veterans' Preference must submit all appropriate documentation (DD-214, Service Disability Letter, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, etc.); and
• 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 REFSJobs@usaid.gov with the subject line: “REFS_394 FSL APPLICATION PACKAGE: Agricultural Development Officer, FL-0401-02, REFS/CN/FS PD #31665.” Application submissions are required by 11:59 p.m. EDT, September 4, 2024. Packages not submitted to REFSJobs@usaid.gov 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.