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    What skills can help you land a job with USAID

    Some key skills the U.S. Agency for International Development looks for when hiring.

    By Emma Smith // 15 April 2021
    Whether you are interested in a career in the foreign service or civil service, here are some key skills the U.S. Agency for International Development looks for, according to Bob Leavitt, chief human capital officer at USAID’s Office of Human Capital and Talent Management. Leadership skills Regardless of the employment category or rank, the agency looks for people who can lead, manage, and collaborate. These skills are fundamental across the board and important for career growth, Leavitt said. “Employees throughout the agency have opportunities to lead,” he explained, “whether it's being a thought leader in a particular sector, a particular initiative or program, or a technical or management area.” Knowledge in new and emerging areas The agency is stretching in several new directions, such as the pandemic response, combating climate change, addressing root causes of irregular migration in Central America, and humanitarian assistance. “Our work is ever-changing in many ways, and we need the workforce and the talent in these new emerging areas to respond,” Leavitt said. Relevant experience — international or domestic International experience always comes in handy, Leavitt said, but the agency also values relevant domestic experience. For anyone in a more junior stage of their career, supporting development or humanitarian programs is great and “one way to demonstrate relevant experience, relevant language skills and country expertise,” he explained. “But [this type of experience is] not necessarily mandatory [and] we also are attentive to those with domestic experience.” Experience working in community development activities within the U.S. is also valued. This could involve areas of technical expertise, such as procurement, conflict resolution, or working as a health professional, Leavitt said. For professionals looking to switch jobs or technical areas, demonstrate “horizontal skills” and the foundational skills in management, collaboration and leadership, he advised. Interpersonal skills With the hiring process going virtual in the past year, the agency has set up activities to assess those all-important soft skills. This includes a group exercises where candidates come together to discuss a case study they have already written about as individuals. The exercise is observed by a panel who are not judging the candidates against each other but looking at their individual capacity to demonstrate the skills and abilities needed to work in the foreign service, Leavitt explained. “[Through these activities] we can see how well people are interacting with one another,” he said, “[and are] able to assess their interpersonal or their collaboration skills ... how people respect and communicate with one another — we're very interested in that.”

    Whether you are interested in a career in the foreign service or civil service, here are some key skills the U.S. Agency for International Development looks for, according to Bob Leavitt, chief human capital officer at USAID’s Office of Human Capital and Talent Management.

    Regardless of the employment category or rank, the agency looks for people who can lead, manage, and collaborate. These skills are fundamental across the board and important for career growth, Leavitt said.

    “Employees throughout the agency have opportunities to lead,” he explained, “whether it's being a thought leader in a particular sector, a particular initiative or program, or a technical or management area.”

    This article is exclusively for Career Account members.

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    More reading

    ► Careers with USAID

    ► Opinion: A multigenerational approach should be part of US rebuilding efforts

    • Careers & Education
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    About the author

    • Emma Smith

      Emma Smith@emmasmith_bcn

      For four years, Emma Smith covered careers and recruitment, among other topics, for Devex. She now freelances for Devex and has a special interest in mental health, immigration, and sexual and reproductive health. She holds a degree in journalism from Glasgow Caledonian University and a master’s in media and international conflict.

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