Agricultural Engineer

Première Urgence - Aide Médicale Internationale (PU-AMI) is a non-profit, non-political and non religious humanitarian NGO. Its objective is to provide a comprehensive response, in line with humanitarian principles and applying both needs based and rights based approaches, to conflict affected populations. PU-AMI promotes humanitarian access and dialogue with all components of the civil society and reinforces the capacity of each vulnerable community (refugees, vulnerable host community) to become self-reliant and resilient, by responding to immediate needs and strengthening their socio-economic empowerment.  

Today, PU-AMI is intervening in 21 countries in Africa, the Near East, Caucasus, Asia and the Caribbean to cover the needs of populations affected by conflict, natural disasters or economic crises.

PU-AMI in Lebanon has been implementing emergency and recovery projects in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, in Shelter Rehabilitation, Protection, Health and in Livelihood Recovery sectors.

SUPERVISION

Food Security and Livelihood Project Manager

FSL Specialist/ FSL Coordinator

Field Coordinator

N/A

OVERALL MISSION

1. GENERAL OBJECTIVE

PU-AMI is implementing food security and livelihood community-based agriculture interventions that are aiming to restore and establish the means and the assets for medium and small-scale farmers, and to promote equitable access to food and safe livelihood at individual and community level.

Under the supervision of the FSL Project Manager, the Agricultural Engineer is the technical person for the provision of technical supervision on the program implementation, including the supervision and preparation of capacity building contents, assessment and field visits, follow up on technical problems with farmers and ensuring the overall quality of the food security program.

2. RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

With the Support of the FSL team and under the supervision of the FSL Project Manager:

1. ACTIVITIES IMPLEMENTATION

1. 1. 4. Support on the identification and selection of beneficiaries for the planned activities, according to selection criteria, methodology and tools established at the beginning of the intervention, jointly with the technical partner;
      5. Provide the technical follow up for the beneficiaries regarding their agricultural activities, support with the application of new techniques and in resolving any technical issue they may face during the planting seasons;
      6. Contribute in the training development and capacity building materials on different technical topics;
      7. Participate in the training and other technical assistance activities provided to the beneficiaries by the technical partner(s);
      8. Follow up on the schedule, content and achievements of the training(s) implemented by the technical partner(s) based on the partnership agreement, provide feedback to the FSL Project Manager about the activity effectiveness and progress, and suggest improvements when necessary/feasible;
      9. Organize regular field visits with PU-AMI’s technical partner and participate to the field support organized by  the technical partner(s)
      10. Participate in the monitoring and evaluation of the activity outputs and outcomes, with the support of FSL PM and MEAL department;
      11. Ensure a constant communication channel with beneficiaries and other stakeholders (i.e. FSL actors working in the same area of intervention) and foster proper coordination;
      12. Refer identified cases internally or to other internal PU-AMI departments/or FSL partners;
      13. Participate in other activities, in Livelihood or other sectors, as per request of the FSL PM, following PU-AMI multI-sectoral approach.

2. ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING

1. 1. 4. Support the Food Security and Livelihood Team in gathering data on the farmers’ situation, make quality analysis on the recorder needs and suggest improvements on the program implementation;
      5. Report on daily basis to the FSL PM on attendance and progress, highlight challenges and suggest solutions;
      6. Contribute to assessments (i.e. multi-sectoral, technical, rapid needs assessments, etc.), according to the needs of the department;
      7. Participate in surveys to identify and prospect network activities for medium and small scale farmers;
      8. Communicate with the relevant personnel related to the agricultural activities on a daily basis about the current activities and future activities planned;
      9. Ensure the baseline survey, reports, and data collection are timely and accurate;
      10. Report any concerns on quality implementation immediately;
      11. Work closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation team to ensure that data are documented and collected accurately;
      12. Support the FSL Project Manager in the narrative reporting on current and progressed activities.

3. COMMUNICATION & FOLLOW UP

1. 1. 4. Through the creation of specific WhatsApp group, respond to beneficiaries’ queries and support the technical partner on providing technical answers;
      5. Support in the preparation of information materials (i.e. brochures, leaflet, etc.) for the purpose of the intervention(s);
      6. Promote the organization of info sessions, trainings, events, support the organization of donor’s field visits;
      7. Support the collection and the preparation of  articles and success stories from the beneficiaries;

The tasks and responsibilities defined in this job description are non-exhaustive and can evolve depending on the project’s needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

4. Language skills: Arabic, English (spoken and written).
5. Education degree: Master degree in Agriculture Engineering or Agronomy. Five years of working experience in agriculture related fields (i.e. organic agriculture, permaculture, value chains, hydroponic, and soilless system production, ecology, genetics, biotechnology, crop management and protection and/or other relevant specific fields in agriculture).
6. Work experience:

• Advanced theoretical and practical experience in agriculture;
• Good understanding of Lebanese’s agricultural production sector (structure, strengths and challenges) with a focus on small-to-medium farms and home-gardening in Akkar and the north governorates;
• Experience in training delivery and provision of technical follow up and support to farmers and Home gardeners in the field;
• Experience with NGOs working in socio-economic or humanitarian emergency contexts;

4. Computer skills: Good computer skills, good knowledge of MS Office suite/package.

4. Others:

• Valid driving license (1-year minimum)
• Good knowledge of Food Security & Livelihood interventions and the coordination mechanism through the relevant sectors;
• Good knowledge of Community-based participatory approach.

4. Interests: Work in humanitarian action, social welfare.
5. Transversal skills:

• Conflict resolution skills
• Good people skills / ability to engage with a wide variety of actors (farmers, refugee communities, local authorities, NGO etc.)
• Good analytical skills
• Ability to undertake needs analysis and good record keeping skills.
• Excellent communication skills in both Arabic and English.
• Ability to take initiative and to deal with challenges
• Capacity to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team
• Well organized, hard worker and fast learner
• Respectful, neutral and impartial attitude.