Monitoring Expert In An Agriculture Project

The Monitoring Expert will work as a consultant for the project ‘Improved livelihoods for small-scale farmers in Akkar, North Lebanon’, funded by the European Union and implemented by Mada Association.  The objective of the action is to improve the livelihoods of small scale farmers in three villages and their suroundings in Upper Akkar, through training sessions on sustainable, cost-efficient agricultural practices, the introduction of drip-irrigation systems, and improved access to markets.  Monitoring will serve to ensure that activities proceed as planned and according to the indicators of the logical framework, modify and amend the projects’ activities and work plan according to needs as identified by farmers and according to prevalent conditions, as well as to better plan and design future projects and share lessons learned. It will also serve to assess the impact of the project on the beneficiary farmers, as well as the economic and environmental impacts through the base-line survey, regular follow up visits in the field and end of project survey.  The main objective of this position is: Ensure that data on project beneficiaries, processes, progress and performance are effectively collected, entered, analyzed and documented, in such a way as to inform timely decision making and the adoption of sound corrective measures.   Main work interfaces   Internal interfaces -    Project Director -    Project Coordinator -    Field Coordinator   -    Administrators   External interfaces -    Small-scale farmers -    The Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI) -    The Agriculture Extension Centre – (Ministry of Agriculture) -  Hrar -    Agriculture Experts -    Technical advisors -    Municipalities   Mission 1: Development of monitoring tools   Objective: Ensure that activities proceed as planned, in line with the logical framework. Tasks: -          Develop the program monitoring framework, in consultation with the Project Director and Project Coordinator and revise it periodically as required and based on lessons learned. One monitoring tool/template per activity (around 13) as well as a follow-up table should be elaborated in order to be filled by the Project Coordinator and Field Coordinator throughout the project. -          Follow-up of the monitoring reports filled by the Project Coordinator for comments, feedback, and recommendations. Expected Results: -          Around 13 monitoring tools are developed -          Follow-up table.   Mission 2: Development of baselines (questionnaires and surveys) and results analysis   Objectives: -          Ensure the adequate selection of farmers as beneficiaries of the project according to pre-set criteria. -          A pre and post evaluation of the farmers’ capacities in the field and of their technical knowledge. Tools shall allow tracking impact on beneficiaries, improved knowledge, and adopted sustainable practices (mainly pruning techniques and drip irrigation system adoption).   Tasks:       Develop baseline, mid-term, and end-line assessment tools -          Development of questionnaires based on a set of criteria, for the selection of farmers as beneficiaries of the project and facilitation of focus groups with farmers. -          Analysis of the questionnaire results and recommendations for the selection of suitable farmers. -          Development of a baseline survey and a final survey. -          Analysis, Data entry and comparison of the baseline survey and final survey, with recommendations on needs and priorities. Expected Results: -          A clear, defined set of selection criteria. -          A comprehensive, relevant questionnaire based on the set of criteria. -          A baseline survey based on needs and priorities. -          A final survey for comparison.   Mission 3: Support in reporting and project planning   Objectives: -          Ensure that all reports are up to donors’ standards and contain correct, relevant information. -          Ensure that all work in the field is proceeding as planned. -          Ensure that the selection of experts is relevant and appropriate. Tasks: -          Field visits to monitor the work of the Project Coordinator and Field Coordinator, the installation of the irrigation systems, and recording agricultural practices. -          Review of experts’ ToRs and support in the selection process. -          Review of all reports submitted to donors.   Expected Results: -          15 appropriate ToRs for experts conducting training sessions. -          7 Progress reports, 2 Interim Reports, and 1 Final Report submitted to EU.   Mission 4: Facilitation of two focus groups with farmers for validation of the training program Objectives: -           Validate the training program proposed in the preparatory phase of the project. Tasks: -          Facilitate two focus group discussions with around 40 farmer representatives   Expected Results: -          Final training program and identification of farmers' needs in training topics, equipment and supplies.