Energy Advisor USDA/FAS

Energy Advisor (includes infrastructure)

Grade: GS-0301-14 (Sch B)

Area of Consideration: All Sources

Type of Appointment: Excepted Service (Time Limit) Appointment

Length of Appointment: Up to 5 years

Opening Date of Announcement: 02/03/12

Closing Date of Announcement: 03/02/12

You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position and be able to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance for this assignment. This is an Excepted Service, Schedule B appointment not to exceed 5 years.

The position is administratively assigned to the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, Office of Capacity Building and Development, Development Resources and Disaster Assistance Division, Post Conflict and Disaster Assistance Branch (FAS/OCBD/DRDA/PCDA), but will be located at the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) Ronald Reagan Building, in Washington, DC, working in the Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs.

The Energy & Infrastructure Advisor will have two key responsibilities: 1) to serve as a virtual member of the respective offices of the Afghanistan and Pakistan Missions and provide expert advice on long-term planning and strategic design of energy and infrastructure programs in these countries, and 2) to be the liaison between Washington and the Missions as well as the Washington representative of the Missions, which includes participation in critical interagency policy meetings, briefings to Congress, and participation in other events as needed, including interaction with media. While principal emphasis subject-wise will be on the energy sector, the incumbent will also be involved with other infrastructure (e.g., water, roads,) programs in both USAID Missions. Areas of focus will include energy and infrastructure sector reform and capacity building through development of key institutions, policies, commercial practice, and legal/regulatory frameworks. The role will require strong analytical and writing skills and rapid reaction and decision-making in a fast-paced environment. Finally, the role requires two to three trips per year to the region.

Basic Qualification Requirements:

Must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal Service that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

To Apply: Send a cover letter, current resume, writing samples, and a supplemental statement that directly and separately describes your abilities in each of the below listed required skills to:

FAS-SCHB-APPLIC@wdc.usda.gov with the Subject: OCBD – 12-073A

Required Skills:

1. Advanced degree in international relations, energy policy, economics, business, or engineering;

significant experience in addressing problems associated with energy, electricity sector reform, electricity market development, alternative energy development, and related infrastructure;

2. Minimum of 10 years of international experience, preferably in the Asia, Eurasia, or Middle East region.

3. Strong cross-cultural experience and knowledge, especially in the areas of policy, best management practices, technology transfer, governance, and civil society aspects of development.

4. Excellent written and oral communication skills; be a good listener; know when to elevate issues; and be able to work proactively on his/her own, as well as on a team.

5. Ability to represent the USG at the senior level in international meetings on routine and sensitive issues. In addition, the Energy Advisor should have extensive working experience and knowledge of protocol procedures with working with U.S. government posts overseas.

6. Demonstrated experience implementing USAID policies and procedures for project design, implementation, management, and evaluation. Knowledge of USAID funding and assistance and acquisition procurement rules, authorities, and accepted practices.

7. Knowledge and experience working with other USG agencies such as State Department, the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency and other operating units within USAID.

NOTE: Attachments should be limited to a total of 5 MB or less, as e-mails with large attachments may be blocked by the USDA e-mail firewall.

NOTE: Applications that do not include a supplemental statement addressing individually each of the required skills may not be considered.

Direct all inquiries to: Junko Williams

Branch: USDA/FAS/OCBD/DRDA/PCDA

Email Address: Junko.Williams@fas.usda.gov

Telephone: (202) 690-1921

*NOTE* A career status employee that is outside of FAS that accepts this position will be appointed to a Schedule B, Excepted Service time limited appointment. This appointment does not offer re-employment rights back to career status within FAS, as described in CFR, Chapter 352. The employee may seek re-employment rights from their losing agency prior to accepting this Schedule B appointment. Please note that agencies are not required to grant re-employment rights.