About US Embassy:
Welcome to the United States Embassy in Kampala, Uganda. The United States has enjoyed diplomatic relations with Uganda for over 30 years. Ambassador Scott H. DeLisi currently heads the U.S Mission to Uganda. The Mission is composed of several offices and organizations all working under the auspices of the Embassy and at the direction of the Ambassador.
Among the offices operating under the U.S Mission to Uganda are:
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Centers for Disease Control
Peace Corps
Job Summary: The USAID Food Security Specialist will manage USAID activities and programs that combat the underlying causes of hunger and malnutrition, improve food security, and prevent or mitigate food security crises and complex emergencies. The incumbent is an essential member of the Economic Growth team and Vulnerable Populations Unit and responds to the Vulnerable Populations Unit Leader. The incumbent is serve as the Mission’s recognized expert on FFP/PL480 programs, management of food aid commodities, and the design, implementation and management of emergency, humanitarian assistance and development programs. Working within the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Uganda Mission and other relevant Offices, the Food Security Specialist is expected to fulfill the following roles:
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
NOTE: All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.
The ideal candidate for the USAID US Embassy Food Security Specialist should possess a good university degree at the Master’s level in public health, agriculture, nutrition, food and agricultural economics, international development, humanitarian assistance or other related field.
At least ten years of progressively responsible management-level experience in development programming, six years of which must be in the food security sector.
The incumbent must have demonstrated expertise specific to food aid management that includes the following: design, management or evaluation of international food assistance activities (to include in-kind food, cash transfers or cash voucher programs); managing food aid commodity procurement and/or transport; providing rapid responses to quick onset emergencies. This should include experience working either for the Agency, other donor, multinational or non-governmental organizations, Government of Uganda organizations or private sector institutions involving project management, monitoring and budgeting.
The incumbent must have transition environment experience relevant to northern Uganda and Karamoja, and knowledge of Ugandan stakeholders in the agriculture, food aid and emergency sectors.
Working knowledge of Ugandan stakeholders in the agriculture, food aid and emergency sectors.
Personal Competencies:
Program Management:
The incumbent is expected to possess the necessary technical training, administrative skills/abilities required to carry out/perform the duties and responsibilities required of the position. Post entry training will, therefore, be focused primarily on the Agency-specific policies, procedures and regulations that govern programming of Food for Peace and OFDA assistance; program design and management; and USAID management systems.
The incumbent must have sound knowledge of the way USAID offices of Food for Peace and Foreign Disaster Assistance conduct business, including budgeting and programming and procurement procedures. S/he must understand and appropriately apply Agency policy, regulations, procedures and documentation
Communication, Interpersonal and Analytical Skills:
Possess the ability to able to communicate effectively and accurately is critical to perform successfully in this position. The incumbent must read, write and speak English at FSI level-4 proficiency; be able to prepare and produce professional level English-language correspondence and reports, and maintain documents and files.
Advanced computer skills, to include knowledge of Microsoft word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation programs;
The incumbent must be able to work calmly, tactfully, and effectively under the pressure and to demonstrate extreme flexibility to manage more than one activity at a time in the performance of daily duties and responsibilities. In this key position, the ability to adapt to the existing management team by being a good listener and a team builder is required.
Possess the ability to work effectively in a team environment is required. The incumbent must be able to provide training, advice and support to U.S. Direct-Hire, U.S. Personal Services Contractor(s) and FSN Colleagues on existing and changing Agency policies and procedures related to foreign assistance programming, budgeting, monitoring and reporting.
The incumbent is required to have the ability to follow oral instructions and to organize, prioritize and follow through on all assignments with little or no oversight, and the ability to remain calm in a fast moving work environment. Ability to be flexible, respond professionally, and establish priorities in often fluid, changing, and challenging situations with little clear guidance is necessary.
The incumbent is required to understand and appreciate the Mission’s strategic direction, its chief accomplishments and its challenges in order to articulate the rationale, objectives and priorities for the provision of USG food aid, emergency aid and agricultural development assistance to Uganda. The incumbent is expected to have a broad understanding of all economic growth activities undertaken by USAID/Uganda and be familiar with central aspects of USG policy concerning development assistance and the Government of Uganda.
The incumbent must be able to transmit and interpret Ugandan attitudes and concerns to senior management and have a high level of interpersonal skills to work effectively with colleagues in technical offices, the Embassy and USAID/Washington.
Ability to formulate and present expert analyses on complex emergencies and situations, from personal observations, surveys, journal articles, and other documents, and demonstrated ability to express views clearly and logically before groups and individuals verbally or in writing.
The ability to maintain strict confidentiality on USAID/Uganda matters, as appropriate, is required
Language Proficiency: List both English and host country languages(s) proficiency requirements by level (II), III) and specialization (sp/read): Level IV English ability (fluent) is required.
How to Apply:
All those interested in working with the US mission in Kampala should send their applications and strictly adhere to the following:
Universal Application for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174) Download it Here.
A current resume or curriculum vitae.
Candidates who claim US Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application. Candidates who claim conditional US Veterans preference must submit documentation confirming eligibility for a conditional preference in hiring with their application.
Any other documentation (e.g. essays, transcripts/certificates, awards) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.
Submit Application To:
Human Resources Office
By email at KampalaHR@state.gov
NB: Only electronic submissions will be accepted and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Please clearly indicate the position applied for in the subject area of the email submission.
Please use standard file types such as Microsoft Word (.doc) and Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) and please send all documents in one file attachment.
Telephone: 0414-306001/259-791/5
Deadline: 9th March 2015
The US Mission in Kampala provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. The Department of State also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.