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All Interested Applicants / All Sources
!!! Post policy update: Inbound USEFM applicants DO NOT have to wait until they are within 90 days of arriving at post to apply. !!!
If the candidate meets all of the onboarding criteria they could start working as of immediately.
We encourage you to read and understand the Eight (8) Qualities of Overseas Employees before you apply.
The work schedule for this position is Full Time (38 hours per week)
Start date: Candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time (15 weeks) of receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.
If the candidate meets all of the onboarding criteria they could start working as of immediately.
Duties
The Agricultural Specialist (senior-level specialist) is responsible for representing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in Brussels, Belgium at the U.S. Mission to the EU (USEU) and the U.S. Embassy to the Kingdom of Belgium. The incumbent serves as an expert advisor and U.S. government (USG) representative on market access issues, closely monitoring host government and regional trade policy developments and initiatives, assisting in high-level policy discussions, negotiating with the host government, and recommending strategies and solutions that reflect U.S. trade interests. Responsibilities also include monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on assigned agricultural commodities and trade policy, cultivating a wide range of very high level host government and private sector contacts to advance U.S. agricultural trade, and providing advice on agricultural conditions and U.S. trade opportunities, all with minimal supervision.
Reporting/Analysis/Forecasting
The provision of accurate, timely and reliable commodity intelligence is a critical element to the overall FAS mission and can directly impact global prices for many commodities. With minimal supervision, the incumbent exercises high level of judgment and discretion to research and prepare specialized, highly complex published reports for assigned commodities and sectors in the host country and region, in accordance with requirements set in the USDA/FAS reporting schedule. Independently researches, collects, tabulates and analyzes multifaceted, high-level market information, trade statistics, and production, supply and demand data in support of industry counseling and special requests, market development, capacity building, program planning, or other issues impacting agricultural trade. Uses and verifies the validity of published and unpublished data from working level to senior level host country officials, industry sources, and local and regional agricultural news media.
Initiates and prepares voluntary reports on a regular basis on subjects of importance to U.S. stakeholders including, but not limited to, agricultural production, competitor activities, potential U.S. trade growth opportunities, host government trade regulations, and other special current interest developments in the host country and region. Researches and prepares special studies, as assigned, focusing on the domestic and regional agriculture and food sectors. The incumbent also analyzes items of interest, and reviews important agricultural news media, agricultural science journals, government announcements and publications pertaining to agriculture to maintain expertise of current developments and long-term trends in the host country and region, including economic and market situations. Drafts input material and collects data for use in speeches or presentations by USG leadership involving complex agricultural policies or other economic subjects. Identifies and translates relevant news items and regulatory documents for USDA, as necessary.
In addition, the incumbent independently determines reporting objectives and organizes, analyzes, and synthesizes complex information related to domestic production and consumption, supply and distribution, foreign trade and competition, price trends, long-range trade prospects, and government policies and regulations covering a broad range of agricultural issues. Closely monitors and analyzes changes in agricultural policies in the host country and region and determines impact on U.S. agricultural interests, including detailed supply and demand analysis, accurately forecasts production, consumption and trade trends. Overall responsible for the accuracy and completeness of office records and data containing government regulations, commodity trade data and analysis, website content, and operating FAS databases.
Independently presents, explains data, and analysis to other FAS Agricultural Specialists from other countries/regions as part of the consolidated reporting process for obtaining EU-27 production, supply and demand estimates and forecasts. Coordinates the consolidation of assigned EU-27 commodity reports and interprets findings in relation to other EU Member States and non-EU countries for assigned commodities and sectors. Evaluates and comments on host country reports regarding the domestic agricultural situation prepared by professional organizations or host country government agencies.
Qualifications and Evaluations
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 significant analysis and report writing proficiency on highly 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 and region. Significant knowledge of international agreements relating to agricultural policy, and a strong understanding of agricultural economic supply/demand theories and concepts.
Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Food and Agricultural Marketing, Agriculture, Agribusiness, International Trade, Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering, Bioengineering, Statistics, Genetics, or relevant agricultural fields is required.
LANGUAGE: Fluency in English. Fluency in French or Dutch. 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.
Benefits and Other Info
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 health, separation, and other benefits.
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:
AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
AEFM / USEFM
FS on LWOP and CS with reemployment rights **
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.
How to Apply
All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) certification.
To apply for this position click the “Submit Application” button. For more information on how to apply visit the Mission internet site.
Required Documents:
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
University diploma (a copy recognized by Belgian/U.S. authorities*)
Language Scores (if available)
Eligible Family Member Applicants:
- Copy of Sponsor's Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent)
- Passport copy
- DD-214 - Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
- SF-50 (if applicable)
Clarification:
If you have a diploma of one of the following countries, your diploma is automatically recognized:
Belgium
Netherlands
Luxembourg
International diplomas awarded by the European University Institute Firenze
USA
In case you have a foreign diploma of a country not on the list above, you need a professional recognition (type: specific). For the procedure see Diploma Recognition - Mon Diplome Mydiploma. You can opt for the French procedure (via cfwb) or the Dutch procedure (via naric). Should you have questions regarding the recognition procedure, please contact cfwb or Naric directly (www.equivalences.cfwb.be or www.naricvlaanderen.be).
Applicants who are invited to take a language or skills test, or who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email.
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.
