Sr. Technical Specialist, Agriculture and Livelihoods

Counterpart International is a global development organization that empowers people and communities to implement innovative and enduring solutions to social, economic, and environmental challenges. For nearly 50 years, Counterpart has been forging partnerships with communities in need to address complex problems related to economic development, food security and nutrition, and building effective governance and institutions.

For more information visit www.Counterpart.org

Summary:

Counterpart International’s work in agriculture, rural development and livelihoods is growing at a rapid place. We are recruiting a Senior Technical Specialist, Agriculture and Livelihoods as a key focal point of our quality program management and growth. The position will provide exciting opportunities to provide technical assistance and support to our growing array of programs, develop and author new proposals, develop tools / methodologies, and represent Counterpart in relevant agriculture and livelihoods related forums such as TOPS, Agrilinks, Interaction, Feed the Future, etc. The candidate should have strong technical depth and expertise agriculture, livelihoods and other related fields. Experience with USAID-funded programming and proposal development is essential. Strong writing and representational skills, combined with ability to lead innovation and drive opportunities, are a must for this position. Highly competitive applicants will have understanding and experience in agriculture in Latin America and West Africa. Language skills in Spanish and/or French are highly desirable.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide direct technical assistance, training and other analytical services to ongoing programs, including start-up of new multi-year agriculture projects.
• Proactively identify and position for new funding opportunities.
• Conduct field assessments in both presence and non-presence countries.
• Represent and present Counterpart’s fast-growing agriculture and livelihoods programs in key Washington-based and global forums, including TOPS, Agrilinks, Interaction and Feed the Future.
• Author winning agriculture and livelihoods proposals.
• Lead in building capacity and awareness of livelihoods and agricultural programming for all staff organization wide.
• Work with staff and external partners to generate research, case studies and lessons learned documentation.
• Lead and support the implementation of positioning strategies, including the cultivation of partners, events, publications / materials, etc.
• Identify and elaborate of strategic themes for leadership in the livelihoods and agriculture community
• Identify and follow-up on strategic partnerships with businesses, consulting firms, government, and other NGOs, both in Washington and at the country level
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in agriculture, agribusiness, business or other related field
• Minimum of ten years previous work experience in international economic development programs, including 3+ years of experience in an overseas location
• Technical background and experience in livelihoods, agriculture, agribusiness, and rural economic development.
• Familiarity and experience with USAID, USDA, and other public and private donors
• Excellent presentation and proposal writing skills
• Team-oriented, innovative self-starter able to take initiatives from start to finish with an emphasis on quality
• 25% travel to developing country locations.
• Fluent in English. Proficiency in Spanish and/or French highly desirable.

Counterpart is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, veterans and the physically challenged are encouraged to apply.