Afghanistan Education Officer, USAID

Management Systems International (MSI) is a global international development firm based in Washington, D.C. providing specialized short- and long-term technical assistance. In 2008, MSI joined Coffey International, Ltd., becoming part of Coffey International Development, a global international development consulting firm. Together with Coffey ID, MSI now has more than 1,400 development professionals worldwide, a corporate presence in 11 countries and manages more than 200 projects worldwide. It currently manages more than 20 long-term projects in countries including Iraq, Sudan, Colombia and Russia. Broadly, MSI implements a range of analytical and field projects in its core technical areas, including democracy and governance, strategic management and performance improvement, organizational capacity building, human development and natural resource management. For more information on MSI, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.

Project/Proposal Summary: During the last year, USAID has undertaken a nearly unprecedented staffing increase as they added hundreds of new positions to the mission in Afghanistan and around the world. MSI is proud to partner with USAID on this effort, and has been working closely with AID since 2009 to support this massive recruiting effort.

USAID and MSI are looking for strong development and technical professionals for positions based in Kabul as well as throughout the regions of Afghanistan.

This exciting staffing increase will directly support USAID’s mission to promote the rapid transition of Afghanistan to a more stable and productive state, and to promote democracy, rule of law, and sustainable economic and social development that is responsive to the Afghan citizens’ needs.

These Foreign Service Limited positions offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including substantial uplifts for post differential and danger pay. All positions are unaccompanied and require US Citizenship.

Position Summary: The Education Officer will perform strategic planning, program analysis, program management and integration of the education sector with the other USAID programs in the area. Contracts are one year to start, renewable up to five years. Salary: $65,413.00-118,552.00 USD/year. Grade and Series: FS-0301-02/03.

Responsibilities: • Develop and perform strategic analysis of education system trends, and considers future areas of opportunity and problems, as input to Mission strategic planning. • Perform analyses of education sector trends relating to Afghanistan to inform senior management and program managers of relevant factors that may affect the U.S. assistance program. • Master a comprehensive understanding of Mission’s foreign policy objectives and recognizes how education activities fit within those goals. • Analyze education policies present in Afghanistan in order to brief and advise senior USAID and Embassy officials regarding policy issues. • Set the vision and leads the design of education programs and projects. • Serve as supervisor or mentor to junior education staff members and culturally diverse teams.

Qualifications: • U.S. citizenship required. • FS-02: Master’s degree plus 6 years of experience, including 4 years relevant experience in developing countries; OR a Doctorate plus 5 years of experience, including 3 years relevant experience in developing countries. • FS-03: Master’s degree plus 5 years of experience, including 3 years relevant experience in developing countries; OR a Doctorate plus 4 years of relevant work experience, including 3 years relevant experience in developing countries. • Experience leading teams and projects in a multicultural environment. • Solid understanding of unique educational challenges in a complex emergency situation and in conflict and post-conflict contexts.

Physical Qualifications: Due to the rugged nature of these positions, all candidates will need to meet minimal physical requirements in order to perform daily responsibilities in Kabul, and most especially in the field.

• Civilians working in communities are required to wear 30-40 pounds of body armor/helmet on a daily basis, as well as carry their daypack and water, usually in a backpack weighing an additional 8-10pounds. • All personnel working in the field are required to walk over uneven and rocky terrain over long distances. This includes field patrols of 5 miles or more to meet with local community members; these field patrols typically occur 2-3 times per week. Generally, personnel will be on their feet 5-6 hours per day. • Transportation by armored vehicles will be used. Personnel working in the field are required to embark and disembark from such vehicles, which have high clearances and limited individual space to sit and maneuver. Clearances may be up to four feet off the ground, there will be high step rails and/or ladder-type steps, and doorways may be smaller than those of commercial vehicles • Living conditions are austere. At many field posts, bedding consists of canvas cots with mosquito netting. • Field environment is challenging. Desert temperatures often reach 100-105 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. Personnel will be exposed to intense sunlight for several hours at a time. Also, temperatures at night and can become very cold; field personnel must take precautions against frostbite.
• At times, field personnel may be required to evacuate quickly from an area under their own power due to security concerns.

*Additional Afghanistan and Pakistan openings are expected soon. If you would like to be automatically notified of these openings, please sign up for our weekly jobs listserv here

For full position descriptions and to apply to these openings, please visit our website: www.msiworldwide.com.

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.