Project Coordinator

Terms of Reference   Position: Project Coordinator Duration: 30 months, full time position Starting date: ASAP   The Project Coordinator will work under 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 surrounding of Upper Akkar through training sessions on sustainable, cost-efficient agricultural practices, the introduction of drip-irrigation systems, and improved access to markets.   The Project coordinator will be based in Mada’s office in Hrar. He will report to the project Director.   Main work interfaces   Internal interfaces -    Project Director -    Administrators -    Monitoring Expert -    Field Officer   External interfaces -    Small-scale farmers -    The Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI) -    The Agriculture Extension Centre of Hrar (Ministry of Agriculture) -    Agriculture Experts -    Technical advisors -    Municipalities   RESPONSIBLITIES   Activity 1.1: Capacity Building on cost-efficient and sustainable agricultural practices Tasks: -          Coordinate the organization of focus groups with farmers’ representatives to validate training program. -          Coordinate with LARI on the installation of weather stations and collect farmers’ contacts for the alert message service. -          Coordinate training sessions (IPM, CA, certified rootstocks, pruning, and pesticides) with experts to take place in one of the villages and replicate each training twice (once per village). -          Supervise the Field Officer in the conduction of 6 pathology tests at the American University of Beirut and the provision of vetch seeds to be distributed to farmers during the training session on CA. -          Select a certified nursery for the subsidization of rootstocks. -          Work with Monitoring Expert to develop technical sheets to support farmers in their fields. -          Coordinate the development of a short documentary film on sustainable agricultural practices.   Activity 2.1: Development of sustainable water management systems and practices Tasks: -         Develop a set of criteria for the selection of 100 farmers to benefit from drip-irrigation systems and further training. -         Supervise the Field Officer in the conduction of field visits for the identification of the 100 farmers. -          Coordinate training sessions on water management and fertigation with experts to take place in one of the villages and replicate each training twice (once per village). -          Supervise the Field Officer in the conduction 100 soil analyses (one per plot of the selected farmers) and 5 water analyses. -          Coordinate the bid to select an irrigation systems’ supplier and ensure that the installation of the systems proceeds properly and on time.   Activity 1.3: Capacity building to link farmers to markets and market stakeholders Tasks: -         Coordinate the organization of a participatory workshop on farming system analysis and identification of best promising options of produce to be delivered by an expert to 30 farmers’ representatives. -          Coordinate the organization of two participatory workshops on post-harvest practices with market stakeholders and farmers’ representatives. -          Coordinate the organization of a training session on organizational skills. -          Coordinate the organization of an event(s)/exhibition(s) to promote products from Akkar in the city.   Methodology & REPORTING   The Project Coordinator will follow the activities detailed in the logical framwork, ensuring that indicators are met and target groups are reached. The methodology will include: -          Supervision of Field Officer’s tasks and responsibilities. -          Weekly field visits to farmers’ fields for consultations and advice. -          Cooperation with LARI, the Agricultural Center in Hrar, and all project stakeholders. -          Organization of the training sessions, workshops, events, and meetings with project stakeholders. The Project Coordinator will be in charge of reporting to the Project Director, Monitoring Expert, and donor. The reports will include: -         Progress reports to be submitted to the donor on a three months’ basis. -         An Interim Report to be submitted to the donor on a yearly basis. -         Internal monitoring reports to be submitted to the Project Director and Monitoring Expert on a monthly basis.   Education and experience   Other: Experience in agriculture, rural development projects, excellent reporting skills, ability to commute on a daily basis, physical fitness, excellent communication skills, and ability to commit to deadlines