Project Management Specialist (Agriculture), U.S. Agency for International Development – Thailand

Organization: U.S. Agency for International Development

Position Title: Project Management Specialist (Agriculture)

Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Application Deadline: July 9, 2015

Dates and Compensation: Full-time; 40 hours/week; 1 ฿1,179,069 per annum (Starting salary)

Description: The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok is seeking an individual for the position of Project Management Specialist in the U.S. Agency for International Development/ Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID/RDMA), located at Athenee Tower, Wireless Road, Bangkok.

The Agriculture Specialist is a lead technical advisor to the General Development Office (GDO) as well as to the USAID/RDMA. Working as part of the RDMA Agriculture team, s/he will provide timely and accurate input, advice and technical direction, both written and oral, on issues related to agriculture, food security, science and technology, technology dissemination, and trade in South and Southeast Asia. The Specialist will define constraints and identify and prioritize investment opportunities for RDMA related to Asia regional agriculture and food security. In collaboration with the Agriculture team and other relevant RDMA teams, the Specialist will develop and implement project strategies, and design, procure, and manage performance-based contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants.

Responsibilities: Design, procure, and manage activities in the Regional Agriculture portfolio in Asia. Provide technical expertise to RDMA, Washington, and bilateral missions in the region. The duties include the following:

• Identify and review background work, leading to the planning, design, and preparation of new partnerships and initiatives and other activities under the GDO’s strategic objective. Prepare project/activity design documents, drafts, performance-based statements of work for contracts with local and or expatriate firms or individuals for pre-design technical analysis and define and arrange for technical and/or financial assistance and logistical support from within RDMA, from other missions in the region and from USAID/Washington.
• Develop procurement plans covering goods and services, including a reasonable timetable to put into place the appropriate instrument, and coordinate the procurement process with the contracting office while maintaining ongoing and productive communication.
• Assist the office with organization of technical evaluation committees (TECs). Participate in TECs as requested to ensure that proper evaluation is done in accordance with established evaluation criteria to achieve best value for the U.S. Government. Document and provide the results of evaluations to the contracting and personnel officers.
• Function as the Agreement Officer’s Representatives (AORs)/ Contracting Officer’s Representatives (CORs), or Alternate AOR/COR, or activity manager for selected grants and contracts. Perform inspections/sight visits to gather information about implementation progress, data quality assessment, and provide recommendations to AOR/COR and activity managers on changes to improve performance; guide the implementing partner towards improved performance; review and sign vouchers or recommend approval of the same to GDO staff.
• Prepare the budget and narrative portions of the annual performance report, Operating plans and portfolio reviews, and coordinate with the Program Office and Financial Office to ensure that the budget is sent to USAID/Washington on a timely basis. Refine the budget request per guidelines and instructions from USAID/Washington and RDMA.
• Represent USAID at meetings, conferences, workshops, and other fora. Participate either individually or as a team in events related to the technical focus of the position or the broader development interests of the office.

Qualifications: All applications must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item in DS-174 block no. 19-22. If the application submitted fails to demonstrate eligibility, the application will be marked unqualified.  It is the responsibility of the applicant

to provide all pertinent information.

(1) Education: Completion of a Master degree, or equivalent, in Agriculture, Agricultural/Resources Economics, Soil/Plant Science, Aquaculture, Agro Forestry, Natural Resources Management, MBA, Development Studies, or other closely related field is required.

(2) Experience: Minimum of five years in project management and/or strategic planning positions in the fields of agriculture/food security, and ideally regional integration, with a U.S. Government Agency or other international/local organization or donor is required. (40 points)

(3) Language:  Level IV (Fluent), strong written and oral proficiency in English is required. Level II (Limited), in Thai is also required.

(4) Knowledge: (25 points)

– Knowledgeable in key issues, challenges and opportunities related to food security such as sustainable agricultural practices/productivity, markets, technology, regional commodity trade, Agricultural policy, nutrition-integrated agriculture, gender, and climate change, with a clear understanding of the particular complexities in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) regions is required.

– Understanding of how ASEAN and SAARC and other relevant organizations (e.g. ADB, World Bank, FAO, Universities, etc.) work and are engage in agriculture in the region is required.

– Familiarity with the agriculture science and technology present in the region, and the key stakeholders (groups and organizations) in this field is required.

(5) Skills and Abilities: (35 points)

– Able to communicate and collaborate effectively with multiple levels of stakeholders, from farmers to senior officials, both in writing and speaking is required.

– Able to work with flexibility, efficiency, and diplomacy both individually and as part of a team

– Able to meet deadlines, produce high quality deliverables, and meet higher goals is required.

– Able to inspire and support the development of colleagues and partners at all levels and from a diverse range of cultural and professional backgrounds is required.

– Proficient in the use of Windows OS, Microsoft office, Gmail, and able to learn other basic computer programs is required.

– Skilled at gathering and analyzing information from multiple sources and providing recommendations to leadership is required.

– Able to manage programs, activities, and partners for consistent performance and compliance with regulations is required.

How to Apply: Applications will be initially screened and scored for eligibility in accordance with the required qualifications and points mentioned above. To be considered for candidacy, applicants must address each criterion in their application as to how they meet the minimum qualifications for this position. Top-ranked candidates who meet the minimum qualification will be given a recruitment test.  The recruitment test and interview will be structured around the selection criteria above. Applicants with passing marks from recruitment test and with a valid TOEIC score of 855 or above will be invited for an interview. Recruitment test and interview will be conducted in USAID/RDMA Bangkok, Thailand. USAID/RDMA will screen for nepotism/conflict of interest in determining successful candidacy. Reference checks will be conducted once the applicant pool is narrowed down to the top candidate(s). Only shortlisted candidates for final interview will be notified of the selection result. Internal candidates must have successfully completed a one year probationary period of employment before being eligible to apply.

Please follow the check lists and submission guidelines, posted on the official website: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/job_opportunities.html carefully and submit complete application package thru [email protected] before the deadline.