Training and Cash for Work Project Officer-Rehabilitation of Fruit Tree Orchards in Arsal (Applications will only be accepted if submitted online, through the URL link provided. (Kindly do not send emails to lb-recruitment@mercycorps.org))(PENDING FUNDING

Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping build secure, productive and just communities. We do this through:

• Addressing the humanitarian and protection needs resulting from crisis situations for the most vulnerable communities
• Enabling local communities, civil society and government to better prevent and respond to conflict, address needs and deliver sustainable development solutions
• Promoting economic growth and catalysing economic opportunities for vulnerable, under-employed groups in Lebanon

Our programs focus on four sectors:  Economic Opportunities, Governance and Social Stability, Youth and Protection, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). The Mercy Corps Lebanon team consists of over 160 staff working across six offices throughout Mount Lebanon, South Lebanon, Tripoli and the Bekaa.

Mercy Corps is launching an initial six-month intervention (1 September 2018 to 1 March 2019) in Arsal to rehabilitate fruit orchards which have been affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis, in order to alleviate the loss of long-term livelihoods for farmers in the Arsal outskirts.   The proposed program plans to subsidize the removal of dead fruit trees, the purchase and planting of fruit trees, the rehabilitation of drip irrigation equipment and /or greenhouses or other agricultural assets, and orchard maintenance toolkit distribution for 40 small scale farmers.  Based on need, the program may also rehabilitate agricultural roads in coordination with the municipality.  In addition, the program will provide cash for work and training opportunities for vulnerable Lebanese and/or refugee individuals, enabling them to receive a rapid injection of cash into their households and to secure marketable skills in agriculture (such as grafting, pruning and spraying and irrigation maintenance) to facilitate their ability to secure seasonal work opportunities in the fruit orchards.

[Describe overview of job missioGENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Training and Cash for Work (CfW) Project Officers assists the Project Coordinator in the daily running of the training and Cash for Work components of the project. The position will be responsible for targeting basic needs of vulnerable HHs with immediate income generation opportunities through cash-for-work (CfW) projects, which focus on rehabilitation of fruit-tree orchards in Arsal.  The position will also be responsible for coordinating skills training for vulnerable individuals on key marketable skills in the fruit tree orchards, so that they are able to gain seasonal employment.  The Training and Cash for Work Officers will divide work between them to ensure effective coverage of all activities planned under the project.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Work with the Project Coordinator to coordinate closely with local authorities and farmers to establish, document and check criteria for beneficiary selection into the project, to ensure that these are perceived to be fair by local stakeholders and to ensure full transparency in the selection process
• Coordinate all CFW activities, including MoU signing, laborers’ identification with key stakeholders and predetermined criteria, and coordination.
• Oversee the implementation of rehabilitation of fruit tree orchards through cash-for-work schemes
• Coordinate closely with local de-mining programs (for example those run by MAG) to ensure the safety of program participants
• Review labor and time-line requirements for CFW activities, determining staffing requirements
• Develop implementation work plans and monitor activities and their contribution to achieving program deliverables
• Oversee procurement of all materials for CFW projects in coordination with the Project Coordinator
• Organize and deliver orientation for Cash for Work participants, and ensure all CfW participants are equipped with appropriate safety materials and equipment.
• With the Project Coordinator coordinate payment procedures, including documentation, approval and actual payment
• Report and follow up on any problems encountered in the field such as project participant complaints, local authority interference, security threats to MC staff, beneficiaries and activities. 
• Maintain all documentation relating directly to CFW activities required to ensure accountability to the donor, particularly where labor is concerned.
• Oversee the work carried out by service providers to rehabilitate fruit tree orchards
• Provide logistical support to the implementation of skills training sessions (development of PRs for skills training provision according to market needs, beneficiary identification, identification of venue, etc.)
• Ensure monitoring of all program activities to enable MC to assess both progress against activities and achievement of program objectives
• Implement Mercy Corps’ Gender Equity policy and applies Do No Harm approaches;
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned.

Organizational Learning 

As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities. 

Do This

ACCOUNTABILITY

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Project Coordinator

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH:  Cash for Work and Training Project Officer, Project Assistant, Finance, Operations

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Require B.A. with preference for Agriculture Economics, or Agriculture
• At least 2 years’ experience in relevant programming
• Experience implementing cash for work programs
• Experience implementing agricultural programs
• Experience identifying and developing local partnerships
• Demonstrated ability to manage and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles;
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving;
• Proven ability to learn quickly, lead a program to achieve stated results and objectives;
• Ability to effectively represent Mercy Corps and its interests to key stakeholders;
• Oral and written Arabic required
• Oral and written English skills preferred
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment;
• Experience with NGOs is a plus

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful Project Officer will combine knowledge of administrative, executive and financial work flow related to infrastructure activities and cash for work program implementation. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving is essential in a complex security and political environment like Lebanon. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.