Job Vacancy, Soil Conservation Specialist, Friday 18, November 2011

Tetra Tech ARD (http://www.ardinc.com), a leading international development consulting firm based in Burlington, Vermont and Washington, D.C., is currently accepting expressions of interest from qualified candidates for senior and mid-level staff positions on a multi-year year USAID-funded water management and agriculture project in Afghanistan. The project will focus on upper watershed rehabilitation and soil conservation, water resource development, irrigation and water storage, infrastructure rehabilitation and renovation, agriculture production and agribusiness development, and governance, capacity development, and responsibility transfer back to GIRoA. The Project will work through community based interventions, and generate short-term employment and income generation as part of the watershed and soil conservation approach. Ultimately the project will improve on-farm water management production practices for both major crops and livestock.

Responsibilities: Watershed Management and Soil Conservation Specialist will be responsible for leading the design and implementation of technical activities in managing upland productive systems on sloping terrain. The Specialist will provide direction and guidance to the project on strategies and approaches to improve upland soil conservation and water management with a focus on optimizing sustainable agricultural production in an environment of limited water availability. The Specialist will apply knowledge and experience in technical that can include agro-forestry, silva-pastoral systems, soil fertility, runoff capture, storage, and control, and aquifer recharge in the execution of their technical responsibilities.
The Specialist will work on an interdisciplinary team and collaborate closely with professionals from natural, technical and social sciences sectors. The Engineer will also have a role in coordinating project activities with local and national GIRoA representatives as well as community leaders.

The Specialist will engage in strategic planning, design of technical interventions, the design and execution of training programs, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting. The Specialist will supervise the field work of junior staff and will play a major role in designing and administering subcontracts and grants for local implementers and will oversee work in agricultural extension. The duty location is to be determined.

Qualifications: --Minimum Bachelor degree in a field directly related to watershed management and soil/ water conservation --Prior field experience in Afghanistan on projects addressing soil conservation, water management and agricultural production in agricultural systems on sloping terrain. -- Experience in and knowledge of USAID regulations, administration, management, reporting procedures and systems is helpful. --Demonstrated ability to work productively as a member of multi-disciplinary teams in a rural development context with a focus on modernization of water management and agricultural systems. --Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. --Strong interpersonal, analytical, writing and computer skills required.
--Fluent in Dari or Pashto and in English

How to apply: 

To Apply: Please email full, current CV in reverse chronological format to Cathy.Iraheta@tetratech.com, or fax to C. Iraheta at 802-658-4247. Please refer to job code “Soil Conservation Specialist” in the subject line. Only candidates meeting the qualifications detailed above will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

Tetra Tech ARD is committed to diversity and gender equality in all of its operations in the U.S and overseas. We strive to reflect these goals in our global mission and in our workplace. We encourage applications from women and underrepresented ethnic, racial and cultural groups. Tetra Tech ARD, is proud to be an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer.