New Junior/Mid-Level General Development Officer Openings, Afghanistan

Company Profile: Management Systems International (MSI) is a global international development firm based in Washington, D.C. providing specialized short- and long-term technical assistance. MSI is part of Coffey International Development, a global international development consulting firm. Together with Coffey ID, MSI now has more than 1,500 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.

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 FS-04/05 General Development Officer (GDO) will be based on a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), District Support Team (DST), Regional Command Center or other field unit. The GDO will support a range of development programs throughout Afghanistan by assisting with development of strategies and analytical models, the design of methodologies and the analysis of data; and will provide assistance on these development programs. Contracts are one year to start, renewable up to five years. Salary: $42, - $77, USD/year.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a field officer responsible for assisting with the implementation of the USAID strategy and operations with the PRT’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).
• Support the PRT itself by helping implement the strategy and guide the activities of the PRT.
• Work together with the Department of Defense, Agriculture, and State personnel on issues such as security, reconstruction and development.
• Help ensure each Coalition Force and Afghan stakeholder has the appropriate level of understanding, appreciation, ownership, and participation in USAID programs.
• Assist in assuring all administrative and accountability requirements related to USAID office operations are met and ensure these are handled in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Handle logistics, prepare materials, and deliver briefings for visitors as needed.
• Expected to develop a productive relationship with and lend support to one or more USAID programs (i.e. health, education, infrastructure, governance, economic growth, etc.) and may be asked to perform specific duties including monitoring and evaluation.

Qualifications:

• U.S. citizenship required. Candidates with dual citizenship would need to renounce secondary citizenship

due to security clearance requirements.

• Knowledge of program/project management (design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation) principles, theories, concepts, methods and techniques.
• Ability to manage international development projects in a multicultural and interagency team environment.

• FS-04:
  • Bachelor’s degree plus 5 years relevant experience of which 3 are overseas; or
  • Master’s plus 4 years relevant experience of which 2 are overseas or 1 is in Afghanistan or Iraq; or
  • Doctorate (PhD, MD, JD) plus 3 years experience of which 2 are overseas or 1 is in Afghanistan or Iraq.

• FS-05:
  • Bachelor’s plus 4 years relevant experience of which 2 are overseas or 1 is in Afghanistan or Iraq; or
  • Master’s plus 3 years relevant experience of which 2 are overseas or 1 is in Afghanistan or Iraq; or
  • Doctorate degree plus 2 years relevant experience of which 2 are overseas or 1 is in Afghanistan or Iraq.

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.

For full position descriptions and to apply to these openings, please visit our website.

Only candidates who have been selected as finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.