Agriculture & Food Processing Coach

Basmeh & Zeitooneh is a registered Lebanese organization, committed to serving refugees and vulnerable communities in Lebanon, through four community centers across the country. The organization runs educational, relief, livelihoods, and protection programs, and aims to serve as an inclusive and supportive focal point for the entire community.

Basmeh & Zeitooneh has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation, abuse, and child abuse. Also, fraud, bribery, and corrupt activities.

Basmeh & Zeitooneh (B&Z) is committed to maintaining the security, confidentiality, and privacy of your personal information.

Basmeh & Zeitooneh is committed to safeguarding the well-being of children and upholding the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Basmeh & Zeitooneh maintains a zero-tolerance policy on child abuse.

Key Responsibilities

1. Develop a coaching plan for each cooperative, which includes recommendations for improved crop varieties, cultivation practices, irrigation systems, pest and disease management, and soil fertility management, and food processing. The coaching plan should be based on the specific needs and capacities of each cooperative, as identified through a needs assessment.
2. Provide one-on-one coaching to the cooperatives on post-harvest handling, processing, and value addition, including food safety and hygiene practices, packaging, labeling, and branding. The coaching should be tailored to the specific needs and capacities of each cooperative, and should be delivered in a participatory and interactive manner.
3. Facilitate group coaching sessions for the cooperatives to share best practices, exchange knowledge and experiences, and build their capacities in various aspects of agriculture and food processing. The group coaching sessions should be organized based on the specific needs and interests of the cooperatives, and should be facilitated in a participatory and interactive manner.
4. Support the cooperatives in developing and implementing action plans to improve their productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance the quality of their products. The coach should work closely with the cooperatives to develop realistic and achievable action plans, and provide guidance and support to help them implement the plans effectively.
5. Provide regular feedback and follow-up to the cooperatives, monitor their progress, and identify areas for improvement. The coach should work closely with the cooperatives to track their progress towards their goals, and provide regular feedback and follow-up to help them overcome any challenges they may encounter.

Deliverables

1. Needs assessment report for each of the three cooperatives, including recommendations for agriculture and food processing services.
2. Support in developing and implementing action plans for the cooperatives, to improve their productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance the quality of their products.
3. Training and coaching to the cooperative’s members and the employees on various aspects of agriculture and food processing.
4. Facilitation of group coaching sessions and peer-to-peer learning opportunities for the cooperatives, to share best practices, exchange knowledge and experiences, and build their capacities in various aspects of agriculture and food processing.
5. Regular feedback and follow-up to the cooperatives, to monitor their progress, and identify areas for improvement. The consultant should work closely with the cooperatives to track their progress towards their goals, and provide regular feedback and follow-up to help them overcome any challenges they may encounter.
6. Regular progress reports on the implementation of the activities.
7. A final report on the project, documenting the achievements, challenges, and lessons learned, and outlining recommendations for future interventions to promote and strengthen the resilience of the agricultural sector in Central and West Beqaa, and support women-led cooperatives.

Qualifications

1. BA/BS in relevant consultancy field
2. Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in private sector consultancy and coaching
3. At least 8 years of experience in working in agriculture and food processing sector.
4. Strong conceptual and analytical skills
5. Ability and willingness to travel to the field
6. Strong communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team and diverse groups of stakeholders
7. Excellent verbal and written communication and presentational skills
8. Fluent Arabic speaking and writing skills. Strong English writing skills preferred

Specific qualifications
Good knowledge and experience in good agricultural practices, irrigation systems, diseases control, processing and production coaching.

Reporting
The coach will report to Basmeh & Zeitooneh livelihoods project manager.