Agricultural Technical Advisor

1. POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Agricultural Technical Advisor (ATA) is a key member of ARE’s Technical And Strategic Communications (TASC) team, responsible for providing technical advisory services across all of ARE’s value chain activities, including interventions through grants and technical assistance. The ATA will provide technical guidance and advice to the Regional Private Sector Engagement (RPSE) team on primary agricultural production, as well as at the farm, firm, and marketing levels. The ATA will support with the development of operational and business plans and feasibility studies for a wide range of agricultural sub-sectors. The ATA will also provide technical assistance to various stakeholders. The ATA will contribute to the identification of development and upgrading opportunities within the agricultural and agri-food sectors to improve farm and firm-level competitiveness and revenues. The ATA will provide as-needed support to the project’s value chain and market development approaches to activity design and implementation. The ATA will continuously support with the analysis of relevant economic and market data to inform ARE decision-making. Also, he/she will lead rapid analytical assignments as required across all of ARE’s targeted value chains.

2. DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support agricultural producers and MSMEs with the development of strong technical approaches based on best agricultural practices.
• Serve as the agriculture technical lead for the program and the Regional Private Sector Engagement (RPSE) teams and support with the development of grants and proposals.
• Support the RPSE with analysis and research that facilitates their engagement with private sector entities across the project, including identifying and exploring value chain and market system constraints that can be addressed through ARE activities with private sector firms.
• Support with the development of compelling farm- and firm-related needs assessments to inform intervention design.
• Facilitate technical design trainings and provide technical assistance to various stakeholders and agricultural producers.
• Contribute to the development of ARE’s agricultural and agribusiness strategy design per sub-sector and/or value chain.
• Analyze technical and policy issues, strategies and programs to support the development, competitiveness, inclusiveness and improved impacts of agribusiness, food systems and value chain development.
• Support with the development and operationalization of SMEs and partner organizations production and marketing strategies.
• Coordinate a portfolio of agriculture projects under a global agricultural and/or ICM program that are linked with common designs, metrics and learning agendas.
• Provide technical review and support of ongoing projects to ensure alignment with best practices and agricultural strategy.
• Coordinate learning and innovation around ARE’s agricultural strategy’s cornerstones.
• Stays abreast of best practices and industry trends in order to provide innovative insights to proposal design.
• Contributes to project deliverables like weekly, quarterly, and annual reports; annual work plans, as directed by the Deputy Chief of Party and/or Chief of Party.
• Other duties as assigned by the Deputy Chief of Party and/or Chief of Party.

3. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in agricultural engineering, agricultural economics, marketing, management, business or other field related to ARE’s technical activities;
• Minimum of 10 years of recent relevant experience (within the last 15 years) in agricultural production, post-harvest production and access to markets;
• Demonstrated experience in agricultural/agri-food product development, engagement in agricultural and agri-food products trade and access to markets;
• Demonstrated experience in the design and implementation of agricultural business plans and feasibility studies and/or market systems analysis for agricultural value chains;
• Must be familiar with Lebanon’s municipalities, local communities, and private sector, particularly focused on agri-business;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as in a team structure, versatility, and integrity;
• Strong interpersonal, analytic, and written communication skills
• Fluency in spoken and written Arabic and English required.