Agriculture Engineer_Bekaa

Overview:  

The Agriculture Engineer is responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring agricultural activities under Fair Trade Lebanon projects, ensuring sustainable production practices and technical capacity building of farmers and cooperatives.

He/she applies scientific and engineering principles to optimize productivity, quality, and sustainability of agricultural systems, while conducting field training, coaching sessions, and technical follow-up across all regions in the Bekaa.

The position requires strong expertise in sustainable agriculture (agroecology, permaculture, agroforestry), excellent field facilitation skills, and the availability to work in vulnerable communities and challenging environment.  

It combines both technical implementation and hands-on field training to strengthen local capacities and promote best agricultural practices.

Roles & Responsibilities:  

1. Planning, Research & Design
   • Conduct field assessments and identify farmers’ needs, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
   • Develop and adapt cultivation plans, irrigation systems, and soil management strategies according to crop type and regional conditions.
   • Prepare technical specifications, feasibility studies, and procurement inputs for agricultural materials and equipment.
   • Ensure compliance with environmental, safety, and donor standards in all agricultural activities.
   • Maintain accurate technical documentation, field records, and photo/video documentation of project activities.
2. Remote & Phone-Based Assessments
   • Conduct structured phone assessments to evaluate beneficiaries’ needs, progress, and satisfaction.
   • Document findings in coordination with MEAL and project teams.
   • Maintain regular remote follow-up when field access is limited or restricted.
3. Implementation & Field Support
   • Provide on-site technical assistance to farmers, cooperatives, and beneficiaries across the Bekaa and other target regions.
   • Supervise installation and maintenance of irrigation systems, greenhouse setups, and crop protection solutions.
   • Monitor the implementation of demo plots, field trials, and pilot interventions to ensure proper methodology and data collection.
   • Support the development of value chains and local production systems in line with Fair Trade principles.
   • Offer field facilitation for missions, workshops, and donor visits.
4. Logistics & Distribution Support
   • Participate in planning and executing distributions of agricultural inputs and tools.
   • Support beneficiary verification and maintain accurate distribution documentation.
   • Coordinate with logistics and field teams to ensure timely delivery to all locations.
   • Participate in the organization and coordination of events related to project activities, contributing to their successful execution.
5. Training & Capacity Building:
   • Design and deliver practical training sessions and workshops for farmers, cooperatives, women, youth and field technicians.
   • Develop training materials, manuals, and visual aids adapted to local context and literacy levels.
   • Provide continuous field coaching to reinforce knowledge and improve implementation of good agricultural practices (GAP), climate-smart techniques, and post-harvest handling.
   • Support youth and women’s inclusion in agricultural training programs and entrepreneurship initiatives.
   • Use design skills to develop visuals for agricultural plots, layouts, or demonstration plans, using AutoCAD or similar technical software.
   • Evaluate training outcomes and report on participants’ progress and behavioral change in practices.
6. MEAL and Data Collection:
   • Support data collection efforts for baseline assessments and MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) purposes.
   • Ensure data is collected accurately and in compliance with project requirements.
   • Maintain regular contact with beneficiaries to ensure their understanding of training content and address any questions or concerns that may arise.
   • Reporting Collaboration:
   • Collaborate with the Project Coordinator to collect and provide necessary data for project reporting.
   • Assist in maintaining project documentation and reports.
7. Multi-Project Coordination
   • Support implementation of multiple projects simultaneously.
   • Prioritize workload based on urgency and donor timelines.
   •  Provide cross-project technical inputs when needed.
   • Adapt quickly to changing priorities and emergencies.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering or related field (Master’s degree is a plus).
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in agricultural project implementation, training, and technical fieldwork.
• Strong technical expertise in irrigation systems, soil fertility, crop management, pest control, and sustainable agriculture.
• Strong understanding of sustainable agriculture: agroecology, permaculture, agroforestry, regenerative practices.
• Experience working with cooperatives, smallholder farmers, or donor-funded projects is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in designing agricultural plots, irrigation plans, and field layouts using AutoCAD or similar technical software.
• Excellent knowledge of challenges and opportunities in the agriculture sector in the Bekaa.
• Proficiency in English and French; Arabic fluency is highly desirable.
• Valid driver’s license (mandatory)
• Ability to travel frequently across the Bekaa and other Lebanese regions.

Skills: 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with farmers and diverse stakeholders.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, and coaching abilities.
• Analytical and problem-solving mindset with attention to detail.
• Adaptability to rural work environments and changing project needs.
• Organizational and time management skills with a results-oriented approach.
• Commitment to Fair Trade principles and sustainable agricultural development.
• Good cultural awareness and sensitivity 
• Languages: Arabic/ English and/or French