Research consultant for the project: “Towards more localized food systems in Lebanon: Zgharta Pilot Groundwork”

About Jibal 

Jibal is a non-governmental organization leading environmental and social justice activities in Lebanon. We envision a society centered on principles of reciprocity, recognition, and equitable redistribution. Since its start, Jibal works on the topic of food through different types of actions:

• The support of a group of farmers in the Bekaa to implement a collaborative system in their work. This project has been implemented in collaboration with Buzuruna Juzuruna Farm in Saadnayel.
• The development of a network of farmers who work under regenerative agriculture methodologies. This network aims at creating bridges and support between several actors in Lebanon.
• Educational activities for kids on topics related to food sovereignty.
• Training and coaching 75 farmers to switch to sustainable farming methods.
• The support of alternative access to market systems where farmers can sell their products

Jibal collaborates with a number of NGOs, companies and cooperatives for its various programmes such as: Buzuruna Juzuruna, Field to fork, Ras Maska Gardens, Soils Permaculture Association, Samen Eco Gardens, Nation Station, Zaher Grow to Learn, FES, GIZ and Helvetas. 

About the project

This project will take place in the Zgharta region, and work to gather the benchmark data needed in order to support the establishment of a territorial food system here. The objectives seeked are :

• To identify benchmark information on existing food actor groups, physical/intellectual resources, social and economic networks, and governance structures and strategies.
• To synthesize data into actionable knowledge to be used in the next phase of the project. 

The project will be implemented between September and December 2021

Scope of Work

The scope of work includes the following tasks that will be conducted in close collaboration with the research coordinator/assistant: 

• Setting methodology for research report
• Review project scope, specifically region scope where project will be implemented
• Conduct desk review
• Coordinate with field officers on data collection and participate in data collection

Analysis of data collected

• Writing the research report
• Conducting between three to four meetings with Jibal team members working on food sovereignty initiatives (during research preparation, initial results, and final results)

Deliverables

• Raw data on key attributes of food actors including farmers, municipal officials, local markets, and local restaurants. 
• Raw data on key attributes of existing physical infrastructure and resources as well as intellectual ones. 
• Raw data on existing social & economic networks and small summary of best practices for mobilizing them. 
• Raw data on local governance structures, strategies, and policies. 
• Written report of compiled & synthesized raw data as well as contextually-relevant written recommendations for ways forward. 

Required qualifications of collaborator

• Proven experience in research work on agriculture, food systems, food sovereignty, or similar.
• A Master’s Degree in relevant field and/or substantial experience in Lebanon’s agricultural and food sector. 

Time Allocation

Number of days: 20

Period of work: until the end of December 2021

Note: Field officers will allocate around 40 days to collect data