Position Summary
The Grain Research and Innovation (GRAIN) project is a five-year, $19.5 million USAID-funded project implemented through Michigan State University's (MSU) Global Center for Food Systems Innovation (GCFSI). This project is a human and institutional capacity building project that will serve as an integral component of the Wheat Sector Development Program (WSDP) being implemented by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) through the Ministry and Directorates of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL/DAILs). The primary goals of the project are to elevate research capacity to support increased production of quality wheat, to institute effective methods of post-harvest storage as well as to develop improved capacity to test, certify, and produce new and better varieties of wheat seed for Afghanistan's agricultural sector.

The Chief of Party assumes the overall responsibility for the management of a multi-million dollar, five-year USAID HICD research program with a large diverse staff and a team comprised of expatriates as well as a large national staff. The incumbent will manage multiple activities and liaise with USAID, Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) stakeholders and other relevant projects and donors working in Afghanistan. Provide financial management and accountability for all program activities, supervise completion of timely and high-quality deliverables, and manage close communications with USAID, GIRoA, and Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), in a challenging environment.

Required Degree
Masters -Agricultural Science

Desired Degree
Doctorate -Agricultural Science

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum of a MS or MSc in Agricultural Science
• Demonstrated administrative experience on international development projects
• Demonstrated work experience in post-conflict nations
• Native or near Native English language skills
• Excellent communication skills at every level (verbal, written and interpersonal), from donors, to government representatives to local expatriates and national staff
• Demonstrated experience in developing and producing high-quality reports that include both narrative and statistical data
• Experience in USAID monitoring and evaluation procedures, development of work plans, reporting, project design, and needs assessment. The COP must oversee reporting on multiple deliverables
• Experience in recruiting and mentoring a team of local country staff; procuring items needed for efficient operations; and developing budgets
• Experience in developing plans to ensure a secure operating environment for project employees
• Ability and willingness to assume project leadership responsibilities and to live, travel and work in Afghanistan

Desired Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Agricultural Science, with research in wheat
• Demonstrated administrative experience on USAID-funded international development projects
• Knowledge of wheat improvement in Afghanistan or similar area would be an asset
• Demonstrated work experience in Afghanistan

Required Application Materials

• A 1-page letter of intent
• A detailed curriculum vita including a summary of relevant experiences and accomplishments
• The names and full contact information for three or more references

Special Instructions
Please submit the following: 1) a 1-page letter of intent; 2) a detailed curriculum vita including a summary of relevant experiences and accomplishments; and 3) the names and full contact information for three or more references. Submit application materials to: MSU Applicant Page

For questions, please contact:

Fred Derksen

Anne Schneller

GRAIN Co-PIs

Michigan State University

408 Justin Morrill Hall of Agriculture, Michigan State University

446 West Circle Drive, East Lansing, MI 48824

517-355-3449

E-mail: derksen@msu.edu; annes@anr.msu.edu

Salary is competitive and commensurate with education and experience. Michigan State University provides its faculty and academic staff with a variety of benefits. Among the most important are a retirement program, and health, prescription drug, dental, and life insurance coverages ( http://www.hr.msu.edu/benefits/ ).

Michigan State University is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Institution.

Advertised: Dec 21, 2017 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close:


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