Position description: The Department of Community Sustainability (CSUS) at Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications for a 75% time, Specialist Outreach fixed-term position on an AN (12-month) appointment that will begin at the time of hire (preferably January 1, 2023). This position reports to the Global Center for Food Systems Innovation (GCFSI) Co-Directors. This position is part of a grant funded project. The grant has an end date of September 30, 2027. The initial position appointment will be for two years from the date of hire, with possible annual reappointments thereafter, dependent upon successful performance.

Work will be located remotely or on the East Lansing, Michigan campus of MSU, with hybrid remote work optional.

The Global Center for Food Systems Innovation (GCFSI), based in MSU’s Department of Community Sustainability (CSUS) is searching for a highly skilled individual who can lead innovative and sustainable capacity development programming with, for, and by partners in the developing world. GCFSI has the reputation of designing and delivering high quality capacity development and international development research for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other development funders. The position, titled Team Lead –Partner Innovation and Engagement, (PIE Lead) will be responsible for designing and leading our team’s commitment to supporting our partners on their journey to locally-led capacity development via strategic planning, training workshops, coaching, and other forms of support. In addition, the PIE Lead will be responsible for training the GCFSI on cutting-edge facilitation and other types of continuing education that will keep our workshop facilitation on the cutting edge. The PIE Lead will work in close coordination with the GCFSI Co-Directors and the System Thinking and Modeling Lead to assure GCFSI’s work is coordinated and integrated across our engagement.

The PIE Lead is an integral part of the GCFSI operations team. As Team Lead, they are expected to participate in all team meetings and provide a vision for how facilitation and other areas of focus can be used to advance the impact of GCFSI’s work. The PIE Lead is expected to be able to communicate with GCFSI stakeholders as required to complete their job duties. The PIE Lead will also lead the drafting of instruments and presentations that will inform stakeholders how GCFSI’s project connects to one another across multiple levels of the systems in which GCFSI works to bring change.

GCFSI is focused on “Doing Development Better”. The PIE Lead will contribute to this goal in all of their “work.”

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Masters -International development work or related

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in a field related to international development work.
• Technical areas of expertise: Entrepreneurship, innovation, human-centered design, systems thinking, strategic planning, organizational development, leadership development
• Experience designing, leading, facilitating, and evaluating educational and capacity development programs for, and with, university students, scientists, and organizational leaders in technical areas.
• Experience designing and leading entrepreneurship training programs for leaders based in the developing world.
• Certification user-focused facilitation pedagogy such as mindfulness facilitation.
• Three years' experience at MSU or similar US land grant institution.
• At least eight years' experience managing and/or implementing a USAID-funded project capacity development projects.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to successful international proposal development.
• Experience developing capacity-building tools for universities related to USAID and/or other international development donors.
• Strong track record of successful workshop facilitation in the developing world.
• Excellent English communication and writing skills including technical writing (e.g., policy briefs).
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience in multidisciplinary and multicultural environments.
• Robust network of scholars and practitioners in focal technical areas, including African contexts.
• Experience collecting, analyzing, and representing primary data in Africa or other parts of the developing world.
• Experience living and working professionally in the developing world.
• Proficient in the English language plus one additional language.

Required Application Materials

a) current curriculum vitae; b) cover letter; c) diversity, equity, and inclusion statement, and d) contact information for three professional references. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Together-we-will Statement

Review of Applications Begins On

12/09/2022

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.