Agricultural Specialist (open to all)

EXPERIENCE: Minimum five years of work experience In one or more fields of agricultural economics, agricultural policy, commodity trade, and marketing analysis/research that includes extensive analysis and report writing on complex subjects.

JOB KNOWLEDGE: Detailed knowledge of FAS goals, programs, reporting requirements and procedures, and of U.S. agricultural policies and trading practices followed by American exporters. Thorough knowledge of agricultural practices, market conditions, and government policies in the host country. Knowledge of host government structure and responsibilities of various Ministries and offices, congressional and legislative processes as It relates to economic, trade, and agricultural policy matters is required. Significant knowledge of International agreements relating to agricultural policy, and a strong understanding of agricultural economic supply/demand theories and concepts.

Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Food and Agricultural Marketing, Agriculture, Agribusiness, lnternational Trade or related.

LANGUAGE: Fluency in English. This may be tested.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) to create documents and spreadsheets, maintain and update databases, and develop presentations. Use of FAS specialized software and data analysis programs. Must have advanced proficiency in analyzing agricultural production, global agricultural trade and economic supply/demand concepts. Required to analyze and apply complex statistical data and maintain data sets for accurate commodity and trade reporting. Drafts highly specialized reports on markets and trade policy. Must have excellent time management skills to cope with the diversity of work and deadlines. Ability to work effectively with government, public, and private individuals to obtain information and resolve trade issues.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO): The U.S. Mission 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.

All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications. All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) certification.

Locally Employed Staff, including Members of Household (MOHs), and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), working at the U.S. Mission in Brussels may receive a compensation package that may include extra-legal benefits: life insurance, hospitalization insurance (family included), meal tickets, transportation reimbursements, seniority leave, special holidays, training, Employee Assistance Program, etc.

For EFMs, benefits should be discussed with the Human Resources Office.

The pay plan is assigned at the time of the conditional offer letter by the HR Office.

HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS: Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below. Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.

HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:

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  IMPORTANT: Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”), equivalent documentation, or certification. A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given.

** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.

For more information (i.e., what is an EFM, USEFM, AEFM, MOH, etc.?) and for additional employment considerations, please visit the following link.

All applicants must create an ERA profile and submit their complete application through ERA for each vacancy of their interest.

A complete application means that your ERA profile outlines how you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the vacancy announcement (education, experience and language proficiency), and contains the required attachments.

For more information on how to apply visit the Mission internet site.

NOTE:Resume and cover letter are not required documents and will not be considered in the recruitment process. Instead, please complete your Electronic Recruitment Application profile thoroughly to capture all information you would like for the recruiters to consider.

To qualify based on education, you MUST submit the requested degree and / or transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide requested information, or the information is insufficient to verify eligibility, may result in disqualification for this position.

All Applicants:

• 
  Residency and/or Work Permit

• 
  Copy of Bachelor’s diploma (preferably a copy recognized by Belgian/U.S. authorities*)

• 
  Language Scores (if available)

• 
  Clarification:

If you have a diploma of one of the following countries, your diploma is automatically recognized:

• USA
• Belgium
• Netherlands
• Luxembourg
• International diplomas awarded by the European University Institute Firenze

In case you have a foreign diploma from a country not listed above, preferably submit the professionally recognized version by cfwb/naric as outlined on our website. The recognition type that applies for this vacancy is: specific recognition. The process may take about 120 days.

Applicants who are invited to take a language or skills test, or who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email.

Applicants, who may need reasonable accommodation during the interview process may contact the Human Resources Office to coordinate the reasonable accommodation at the moment when they receive the invitation to a test/interview.

For further information - the complete position description listing all of the duties, responsibilities, required qualifications, etc. may be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Office.

Thank you for your application and your interest in working at the U.S. Mission in Brussels.