Marketing Officer

Who are we  Concern Worldwide is a non-governmental international humanitarian organisation, and was founded in 1968. Concern Worldwide currently operates in a number of countries across the globe, with its Head Office in Dublin. We work with the poor and vulnerable in the world’s poorest countries to help them bring about long-lasting change in their lives and realise their fundamental human rights; to food, to health, to education, and ultimately to a life of dignity. Together with local and international partners, and with the beneficiaries themselves, we respond to emergencies and undertake long term development work.  We work across the world to promote a better understanding of extreme poverty, and we campaign for local and global action that will help reduce this. Job Summary The main purpose of the position is, under the guidance of the Livelihoods Programme Manager, to implement elements of Concern’s Livelihoods activities in Akkar Governorate. The livelihoods programme aims to strengthen the resilience of refugees and host communities impacted by the Syria Crisis. The role will primarily focus on, but not be limited to improved agricultural value chains and support to income generating activities with overall purpose of creating employment opportunities for refugees. These include: With stakeholders, identify constraints in the current values chains for selected crops. Support producers to improve the efficiency of their respective value chains to increase profitability. Support producers with improved access to markets through product aggregation and more efficient farming associations etc. Work with key stakeholders to explore new marketing outlets including potential access to export markets. Support producers to improve quality and standards of produce to meet the market requirements Support vulnerable women with business skills training to establish sustainable income generating activities. Duties and Responsibilities 1.       General a)      Work towards the successful implementation of the Livelihoods programme. Understand the objectives and elements of the programme including logframe timelines and budget allocations. b)      Contribute to the planning and scheduling of programme activities with the other team members. c)       Comply with all Concern administrative procedures in relation to project management procurement and contract administration. d)      Prepare or assist in the preparation and maintenance of all necessary reports and databases including collection of monitoring & evaluation (M&E) data, donor reports, monthly activity reports and projections. e)      Liaise, support, and coordinate as necessary with other Concern departments, donor representatives, municipal and ministerial authorities, landowners and beneficiaries on site.  2.       Specific responsibilities for project implementation a)      Work closely with the main stakeholders, the Lebanon Agriculture Research Institute (LARI) and the Ministry of Agriculture to implement activities with the beneficiaries. b)      Carry out market assessments as required. c)       Work with producers and other stakeholders in identifying constraints in the current value chains for potatoes, tomatoes and leafy greens and other key crops. d)      Plan and organise training on marketing and supply chain with the producers and others as required. e)       Support and facilitate linkages with key actors along the supply chains to improve market returns. f)       Work on both improved local marketing and also export marketing to improve returns to the farmers. g)      Coordinate with and build capacity of existing farmers associations to make them more efficient and to improve their bargaining power and returns to their members. h)      Coordinate with relevant service providers to support vulnerable women with business skills training. i)        Support these women to identify and establish sustainable income generating activities. j)        Manage the procurement and distribution of start-up kits to these women to establish their chosen income generating activities. k)      Ensure project activities are progressing on time, to a high quality and on budget. l)        Facilitate positive relationships between the farmers and their employees, especially Syrian refugees. m)    Ensure that employees are fully aware of their rights are these are upheld by their employers. n)      Coordinate with the protection and WASH teams as necessary to support the beneficiaries. o)      Carry out monitoring and evaluation activities and assessments with the beneficiaries as required. p)      Represent Concern at technical and programmatic meetings and working groups as requested by management. q)      Fulfil other tasks as requested by the Livelihoods manager. 3.    Adhere to Concern’s Program Participant Protection Policy (PPPP) and Concern’s Code of Conduct; 4.    Support and promote Concern’s Program Participant Protection Policy (PPPP) and Concern Code of Conduct to Livelihoods programme team, partner organizations and beneficiaries; 5.    Fulfil other tasks as requested by the Livelihoods manager. Skills, Qualifications, Experience and Attitude Required  Degree in   Marketing, Economics, Agri-Business, Business management, or related qualification with relevant experience. Minimum of 2 years’ experience in agriculture, marketing, livelihoods or community development projects preferably with an NGO or UN agency. Leadership and supervisory skills and ability to foster team spirit. Strong organizational skills and able to coordinate and manage a diverse array of activities and stakeholders. Willingness to live in the Northern governorates of Lebanon. Report writing skills and computer skills in word processing and spreadsheets. Experience in conducting surveys, managing and analysing data and statistics. Very good knowledge of English both written and oral. Commitment to complete tasks as per deadlines and travel to field sites when required. Commitment to ensuring the protection of refugees. Strong sense of security management and willingness to follow security guidelines and regulations. Commitment to humanitarian principles and values. Commitment to Concern equal opportunity and gender practices.