Farmers Access to Market Coordinator

About Jibal and the project

JIBAL is a not-for-profit association that champions environmental and social justice principles. We envision a society centered on principles of reciprocity, recognition, and equitable redistribution. The work intertwines socio-cultural and ecological perspectives to promote a holistic approach to societal development. JIBAL promotes sustainability in all its aspects – in the built and natural environments, in human societies, and in economic and social policies – by developing and implementing different activities such as workshops, training, and applied research projects. JIBAL receives its funding mainly from international donors.

Jibal started in January 2021, in collaboration with Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, a two-year project aimed at promoting food sovereignty and increased food security in Lebanon. The project aims at: 

• Supporting the transition towards a circular economy, local and sustainable agriculture, of farmers within a short distance from Beirut (neighbouring Mount-Lebanon and Bekaa).
• Initiating a process of direct and affordable sales from these farmers to the inhabitants of vulnerable urban neighbourhoods within the radius of Beirut blast.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Technical 

• Coordinate the implementation of a farmer’s market
• Research, develop and implement other alternative channels for linkages between the farmers and the market/shops that will be buying these products 
• Engage with the farmers into a participative dialogue to implement the alternative models
• Assess the interest of points of sale in being involved in alternative solutions
• Coordinate the the implementation of an operational system (logistics, communication channels, platform)
• Support the evaluation of results and the sustainability of the identified linkages for future implementation
• Support the team in conducting research on related topics
• Provide guidance and formulate recommendations for Jibal team to work on farmers alternative access to market 

Workplan:

• Set a work plan/roadmap on each of the market channels identified
• Regularly update the project manager and the team when major changes have to be done

Reporting & Information sharing

• Support project manager to produce the narrative and financial report
• Regular follow-up on budget expenditures statement with project manager in order to prevent under/over expenditures of budget lines.
• Ensure internal communication and data sharing on project with relevant colleagues, specifically those working on M&E, project management, and communications
• In collaboration with project manager, monitor,evaluate and suggest changes and improvements in programme and materials based on observations and discussions with stakeholders
• Ensure efficient and effective use of resources: Suggest reallocation of money if needed (if some lines have not been spent or others need more money/expenses).
• Ensure good coordination internally and with the funder
• Support project officer in any specific need when possible
• Ensure all documentation is maintained appropriately (organising folders in drive, necessary follow-up files, etc).

Participation to Jibal life:

• Closely interact and coordinate with the Jibal team
• Support team member on different aspects, specifically on work related to the food sovereignty programme 

Profile of the candidate

• Experience and practice in access to markets for farmers products
• Minimum 5 years relevant experience related to access to market preferably for agriculture products
• Experience in supply chain coordination 
• Sound understanding of the complexity of food sovereignty and food security
• Experience in data collection, including interviews and surveys
• Fluent Arabic and English speaking and writing skills, French is a plus.
• Sound writing skills 

The candidate has to be able to take initiative, work in an autonomous and responsible way and have the ability work under pressure as this will be an intense project

Jibal offers

• A flexible working environment with a working schedule equivalent to 5 days a week, 7h/day, 2 days of vacation per month.
• The staff will be based at Mansion, Zoukak El Blat, Beirut.
• A rewarding work environment where debates and training are regularly organized.
• The possibility to get involved in the overall decision-making process.
• A contract until the end of December 2022 that can be renewed in 2023 if the evaluation of performance is positive and funding is available.

Interested? Please apply through the online form here.

For questions, you can write to contact@jibal.org