Special Announcements
Job Postings: 1, 2
Posting 1:
Postdoctoral Research Fellow-Agricultural Development and Environment Tropical Agriculture and Environment Program
The Tropical Agriculture Program, Earth Institute, Columbia University , is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow for a two-year appointment based in New York . Ph.D. in agriculture, environmental sciences or related biophysical sciences is required. The Fellow will support the Earth Institute’s efforts in the African Green Revolution and the Agriculture and Environment sectors for the Millennium Villages Project (MVP). He/she will assist MV teams in Africa with data analyses, preparation of reports and papers, and monitoring of Agriculture and Environment activities. He/she will contribute with research papers, data analysis, technical briefings, program evaluations, and other reports, identify good practices, and pinpoint the gaps in knowledge in the implementation of project activities. Proof of successful completion of a Ph.D. program by May 2007 required. Successful professional experience in Africa , and excellent oral and written communication skills in English needed. Fluency in French or Kiswahili highly desirable. Position requires frequent travel to Africa and ability to interact successfully with peoples of different cultures. Ability to generate grant income is a must. Screening of applicants will begin on November 30, 2007.
Email application and references to Dr. Carlos A. Perez, Tropical Agriculture, cperez@ei.columbia.edu
Posting 2:
DIRECTOR OF THE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Michael Yost, Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service, requests your help in identifying qualified candidates for the position of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture's (IICA's) Director of Strategic Partnerships (DSP), who also serves as the Director of the IICA Washington office. IICA is a regional technical assistance agency that provides agricultural and rural development policy and program advice to its 34 member countries. The United States is the largest contributor to the organization and works with the institution to further our agricultural interests in the Western Hemisphere.
The position is important to the U.S. government and an American has traditionally occupied the position. The DSP is an employee of IICA and the position is located in Washington. However, the position often requires frequent travel to IICA headquarters in San Jose, Costa Rica.
A copy of the position description is pasted in below. We are seeking to provide IICA's Director General with a list of best qualified candidates for his consideration. We look forward to recommendations from academia and the private sector.
Please pass this opportunity on to others that may know of a well qualified candidate. We request that resumes be received by Monday, December 10. Please submit copies of resumes to Wendell Dennis at Wendell.Dennis@usda.gov or fax
them to his attention at 202-720-1139.
Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (The Specialized Institute for Agriculture and Rural Well-Being of the Inter-American System)
THE INSTITUTE IICA is the specialized institute for
agriculture of the Organization of American States system. The institute was founded in 1942 and is headquartered in San Jose, Costa Rica, with offices in all 34 countries of the Western Hemisphere (excepting Cuba) and a Permanent Office for Europe in Spain, and total staff of 850 people. Additionally, the Institute manages approximately 4,000 people hired under contract for projects that are externally funded, typically by the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, etc. The U.S. was one of the key founders of the Institute and is the most important financial contributor to the Institute.
INSTITUTE'S ROLE IN THE UNITED STATES IICA's mission in the
United States is two fold: first to strengthen and facilitate the dialogue between IICA and U.S. government agencies, agribusiness sectors and academia, as well as with counterparts in other countries of the Americas; and second to foster and advance partnership arrangements among the many international organizations which also promote rural prosperity, food security and sustainable development in the Americas.
The new vision for the Institute in the U.S. is that it must be innovative, articulate, strategic and an active facilitator.
THE POSITION The primary responsibility is to lead and motivate the
small staff of the Directorate of Strategic Partnerships team in its offices in Washington, D.C. and IICA's Permanent Office for Europe in Madrid, Spain. The Director of Strategic Partnerships is the point person for all relationships with International Organizations. These include IICA's relations with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, U.S. Agency for International Development, the Organization of American States, the Pan American Health Organization, etc. The Director will articulate the vision and the mission and develop concrete methods of working together with these strategic partners.
In carrying out these functions, the Director must interact at senior levels with all strategic partners as well as be a positive catalyst for senior IICA personnel from our country offices and headquarters, ensuring that our country offices and their activities receive the required funding and recognition from IICA's partner organizations.
In addition, the Director will function as IICA's Representative in the United States, representing the Institute and the Institute's Director General in the U.S., and participating, on the institute's behalf, in activities with national, state, and municipal authorities, the diplomatic corps, representatives of agribusiness sectors as well as academic, educational and non-governmental organizations.
The principal duty of the Institute's Representative in United States is to maintain close and productive relationships with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of State's Mission to the OAS.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE The ideal candidate for the Institute's Director of Strategic Partnerships/ Representative in United States will have demonstrated experience and skills in certain core management fields,
including:
* Proven leadership abilities and skills in the areas of
management, diplomacy, fund raising;
* Proven ability and experience in managing human, physical and
financial resources;
*Experience in formulating policies and implementing them
effectively;
* Experience in working with national government officials and
international organizations to develop integrated approaches in dealing with agricultural issues. Experience in trade capacity building, biotechnology, food safety, or rural development would be a plus;
* Ability to negotiate at the highest level with the Member States
and international, regional and national organizations
*Proven ability to master complex technical, managerial,
financial, diplomatic and political issues.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Additionally, the ideal candidate must
meet certain particular requirements, specifically:
* Must be a citizen of one of the Institute's Member States (All
of the countries of the Americas with the exception of Cuba);
* Graduate degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Agricultural Sciences,
Natural Resources, Economics, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, or Public Administration;
* Minimum of 7 years' professional experience in activities
related to international development and/or relevant agricultural fields;
* Must have fund-raising experience which will allow the
successful candidate to identify opportunities for linking IICA's actions in our Member States with potential donors in the U.S. other OECD countries.
* Be in full command of English and Spanish. A basic knowledge of
French or Portuguese would be a plus as well.
CORE SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES The ideal candidate also will
possess certain core skills, experience and personal qualities
including:
* Exceptional planning and implementation skills - A proven
strategic thinker, analytical and intellectually aggressive. Skilled at raising, allocating and fully leveraging resources. Able to grasp and analyze complex situations, and to quickly create well-reasoned solutions to get the job done. He/she moves others to action and successfully achieves goals and objectives by planning, motivating, organizing, and controlling the work being done.
*Leadership Qualities - Collegial and highly collaborative
approach to work, emphasizing integration across functions. Able to lead change and influence direction. Focused on establishing priorities and achieving results. Possesses winning attitude, able to inspire and earn respect through personal example and work ethic. He or she will demonstrate a high level of personal accountability for the achievement of demanding objectives. This individual inspires and motivates by being a catalyst for solving problems and generating solutions.
* Interpersonal Skills - The candidate must have a broad team
orientation, with the ability to influence and work effectively with various Institute units and within a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment. The candidate must enjoy "networking" and demonstrate strong effectiveness establishing alliances with different groups. The ideal candidate will be a self-motivated, enthusiastic individual who demonstrates a high degree of personal integrity, honesty and respect for others. This person must be highly credible, and able to inspire confidence.
* Communication Skills - Demonstrated effective and persuasive
oral and written communication skills in both English and Spanish.
* Ethical Standards - Highest ethical standards, with impeccable
business and personal integrity. The achievement of goals will never be at the expense of the Institute's core values, purpose or mission.
LOCATION: Washington, D. C., USA
COMPENSATION: An attractive compensation package
commensurate with the significant responsibility and importance of this position will be fashioned for the successful candidate.
The Institute considers all qualified candidates and discrimination of any kind, on the grounds of gender, religion or ethnic origin, is strictly prohibited in the recruitment process. The Institute also actively encourages the participation of women.