Rural Tourism Technical Assistant

Position: Rural Tourism Technical Assistant Reports to: Program Manager, rural tourism In an anticipated one year project on rural tourism that is expected to start January 2015, ANERA is seeking qualified candidate for the position of Rural Tourism Technical Assistant to assist in monitoring and follow up on field related activities such as trainings, coaching sessions, etc… The new project will focus on enabling the rural hospitality businesses to develop their standards, services and rural tourism best practices. The program assistant will help manage logistics, administration, and tracking/monitoring and other support as needed for the program. Since 2005 ANERA is implementing a community development project to support rural hospitality businesses and food providers in rural areas in Lebanon. The DHIAFEE Project aimed at leveraging the unique advantages of Lebanon with multiple points of attractions and to spread the economic benefits of tourism to rural areas. 47 alternative lodgings throughout the country were supported creating income generation and job opportunities for local families and contributing to the development of rural tourism. Through its "Support to Rural Hospitality Businesses Project" with Lebanese Industry Value Chain Development (LIVCD), ANERA focused on establishing quality standards and best practices for rural lodging facilities developing a deep understanding of the rural hospitality sector and support stakeholder organizational network / association with members being the owners and operators of guesthouses all over Lebanon. About ANERA: American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA) advances the well-being of people in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon and Jordan. Through partnerships and close consultation with local groups and communities, ANERA responds to economic, health and educational needs with sustainable solutions and also delivers humanitarian aid during emergencies. Incorporated in 1968 to help ease the suffering of Palestinian refugees after the Arab-Israeli War of 1967, ANERA is non-political and non-religious and is one of the largest American non-profits working solely in the Middle East for 40 years. 　 Responsibilities Position Responsibilities and Duties: Attend training, workshop and coaching sessions for rural tourism hospitality businesses;   Track progress and impact of these sessions on the development of the businesses; and assess level of improvement and provide further recommendations.   Regular review sessions and monitoring visits to identified facilities/stakeholders to track the extent to which instructions and standards have been implemented effectively,   Report on progress/challenges and needs,   Give further instructions/advice to hospitality facilities for improvements;   Disseminate and describe well the standards and services related to the quality improvement of hospitality businesses;   Identify and map hospitality and tourism related institutions as per project criteria in different regions;   Coordinate and prepare all logistic preparations for field events, trainings and workshops;   Assist in proper administrative practices with regard to record keeping and reporting requirements;   Maintain effective communication with Project Manager regarding program implementation;   Perform other duties as needed.   　 Required Qualifications This position demands a dynamic individual with a demonstrated ability to achieve results in a demanding and fast paced environment. Bachelor Degree in hospitality and/or tourism;   One or two years previous experience coordinating and monitoring implementation of project activities;   Good communication skills including written and verbal;   Ability to balance working independently and as part of a team;   Willingness to travel to various sites in Lebanon on regular basis;   Previous experience/internship in implementing development project with NGOs/INGOs is an advantage;   Knowledge in Lebanese areas and tourism with rural tourism familiarity is an advantage;   Fluency in both Arabic and English;   Computer literacy in word processing and spreadsheets;     Education degree: Bachelor Degree Field of education: One to two years of work experience coordinating and monitoring project activities (with an emphasis on hospitality and tourism preferred)   Languages Arabic: Excellent English: Good French: N/A Salary: According to ANERA Lebanon Salary Scale Submission guidelines: To be considered for this recruitment, please submit a cover letter, resume, 1 to 2 professional supervisory references (whom we may contact after a second interview) with the date of availability to anera@aneralebanon.org. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The email subject line MUST include the following: "Rural Tourism Technical Assistant – Lebanon".