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Academic Coordinator I, CA&ES: International Programs/Visitors Office

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Position description

ACADEMIC COORDINATOR
(Short-term Training Programs, 50%)

NATURE AND PURPOSE
The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis is viewed as one of the world’s premier agricultural institutions. As such, foreign governments, USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS), USAID, international donors and others seek out CA&ES to develop and implement international training programs. The College’s International Visitors’ Programs unit of the International Programs Office (IPO) is responsible for developing and carrying out short-term international agriculture educational and training programs. Specifically, UC Davis has frequently organized and implemented USDA FAS-sponsored Cochran Fellowship Programs since the Cochran program was initiated in the 1980s. These programs provide U.S.-based agricultural training opportunities for senior and mid-level foreign national specialists and administrators from public and private sectors that are concerned with agricultural trade, agribusiness development, management, policy, and marketing. Typically, these short-term training opportunities range from two to four weeks.
The Academic Coordinator (AC) is responsible for short term international programs in agriculture providing principal leadership in all aspects of these educational programs. The AC develops and writes proposals, organizes, implements and participates in these programs conducting 1) classes and seminars, 2) Technical Field Programs (TFP) and 3) creating experiential learning for research and extension practitioners in both public and private enterprise. Additionally, the AC participates in the International Learning Center (ILC) of IPO in developing long-term international programs and is expected to assist with other capacity-building projects, if appropriate. Moreover, when available the AC may be involved in co-developing and co-writing other proposals with IPO staff and CA&ES faculty. The incumbent is also expected to participate in university and professional service, as appropriate and maybe required
The AC works closely with the Associate Dean of CA&ES for International Programs and as necessary, will work with IPO’s Director for the International Learning Center on resources that may already be available and appropriate for short-term training programs. If needed, the AC will work with, CA&ES Departments and faculty, School of Veterinary Medicine, the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) and regional professionals and leaders. The AC will also work closely with national program leaders and coordinators in Washington, D.C., particularly those in USDA-FAS.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
I. Development and Implementation of Short Term International Training Programs (80%):
This position provides leadership to IPO by directing and managing all aspects of short term international agriculture education/training programs. The AC must have a broad knowledge of agriculture in general and specifically for California. To have an understanding of different cultures in the work place, it is preferred that the incumbent has international experiences, including in developing countries. A minimum of a MS degree in agriculture or related sciences is required.
The AC is responsible for several short term agricultural training programs requested and developed in collaboration with US government agencies, especially the USDA-FAS, foreign governments, NGOs and international donors. The incumbent must have the ability to understand the needs of each request and draw upon the strengths of UC Davis faculty, staff and others. Programs are designed by the AC in accordance with the training objectives as determined by the donor agency and the candidate’s backgrounds. The AC is responsible for developing the programs so that participants meet with professionals in their fields, participate in field observations and industry visits, experience on-the-job training, and attend university courses and seminars. Source external funding opportunities and write training program proposals in response to advertised Request for Proposals (RFPs) for short-term training programs, including educational grants and other initiatives. Design, develop and deliver academic programs for the trainees, including courses, seminars, workshops, community and cultural exchanges, professional experiences and training materials both in the USA and abroad. Select mentors based on their academic expertise from the CA&ES, SVM, and others as appropriate. Oversee, instruct and manage the workshops/seminars, including the organization and delivering parts of the course contents. Evaluate programs and write reports as required. Report to the Associate Dean in scheduled meetings. Supervise post-graduate student researchers, students and staff to ensure that logistics such as accommodations, transportation, food, etc. are arranged appropriately with cultural sensitivity.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE (15%)
The AC is expected to participate in nationally and internationally recognized scholarly activities related to international agricultural development and training. As requested by the Associate Dean, the incumbent will participate in both nationally- and internationally- recognized workshops and meetings representing IPO. Must be able to assimilate scholarly information, write proposals, reports and present training results and impact assessments to donor organizations and stakeholders.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5%):
The AC provides leadership to university and external educational units/programs, state agencies, and the private sector. The AC serves on appropriate committees, advisory boards, and groups, and establishes and maintains working relationships with educators and researchers as appropriate. Establish and maintain working relationships with external agencies with international programs: state and federal government agencies; local governments and associations, regional agencies, non-profit and private voluntary organizations. Establish and maintain working relationships with educators and researchers throughout the UC system. Disseminate the products/information of the program through workshops, seminars and materials.

QUALIFICATIONS
• MS degree in agriculture or agriculture-related areas
• Experience in conceptualizing, implementing and conducting training programs
• Familiarity with California agriculture
• Strong skills in report writing
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent ability to work in an environment that requires interpersonal and communication skills to create and maintain professional working relations and to interact with people at all levels of the hierarchy, both nationally and internationally
• Experience in networking and relationship building across diverse institutions and cultures
• Experience in sourcing out training opportunities
• Fluency in computer programs to produce reports and present complex information to various audiences
• Interpersonal communication skills to work with a diverse and international community
• Organizational skills to work on multiple projects with competing priorities and deadlines; establish goals and workload priorities with limited supervision
• Excellent understanding of the content and structure of standard calls of proposals from multiple federal and state agencies.

Preferred but not required:
• Familiarity with UC Davis campus and its technical expertise and resources
• Experience working with government and non-government funding agencies
• Ability to understand the needs of each request and draw upon the strengths of UC Davis faculty, staff and others in various disciplines

APPLICATIONS: Applications should be submitted on-line at (https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/).
Applicants should submit: curriculum vitae (required); cover letter (required); Statement of Contributions to Diversity (optional); Statement of Research (optional); Statement of Teaching (optional); Sample of a 2-4 page Training Proposal (required); 5 Extramural Letters (required). The position will remain open until filled. To ensure consideration, applications should be received by 7/1/2016. (Initial review date)

SALARY: Commensurate with qualifications

UC Davis is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer. The CRC is committed to the values of social justice and in our work and building a diverse and welcoming organization for people of all backgrounds. People of color, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities, and other under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

UC Davis supports Family-friendly recruitments. UC Davis covers travel expenses for a second person to accompany an invited faculty recruitment candidate who is a mother (or single parent of either gender) of a breast or bottle-feeding child less than two years of age. http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/programs/work-life/index.html

UC Davis recognizes the necessity of supporting faculty with efforts to integrate work, family and other work-life considerations. To recruit and retain the best faculty, the campus sponsors a Work Life Program that provides programs and services that support faculty as they strive to honor their commitments to work, home and community.
http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/programs/worklife/index.html

UC Davis is a smoke- and tobacco-free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any property owned or leased by UC Davis-- indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Diversity contributions documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/diversity/equity_inclusion/index.html for guidelines about writing a diversity statement and why one is requested.
    (Optional)

  • Sample of a 2-4 page Training Proposal

Reference requirements
  • 5 letters of reference required
2023 Forbes Award: Best Employers for Diversity 2023 Forbes Award: Best Employers for Women

Job location

Davis, CA