Agriculture officer

Job Summary

Concern Worldwide is seeking a candidate for the position of Livelihoods –Agriculture officer to be based in Halba, Akkar, Lebanon. Concern Worldwide Lebanon’s Livelihoods program is designed around three themes: Skill building and income generation, Sustainable Agriculture and value chain development, and Micro & Small enterprise Development. Concern Lebanon aims to decrease household economic vulnerability and reliance on harmful coping strategies by increasing access to livelihoods and protection information and skills; home-based income-generating activities; and training and career guidance linked to savings and protection.

Under the management of the Livelihoods Agriculture Specialist, the Livelihoods – Agriculture Officer will support the implementation of BPRM-funded activities supporting the herbs value chain falling under Concern’s Agriculture program. The Livelihoods –Agriculture Officer will provide technical expertise and recommendations on the implementation of project activities as they will be the front liners with direct contact with beneficiaries.  S/he will support in the coordination with other villages focal point, municipalities and other potential stakeholders along with the agriculture specialist in order to ensure agreed objectives are effectively met and in a timely manner. Concern is looking for an individual with demonstrable technical knowledge and professional experience in the plant based value chain (Herbs in particular in this project, but could include vegetables, fruits, legumes for other projects). This includes a minimum experience in the production and processing sectors of products related to those value chains. S/he may have experience with working in non profit or public institutes on livelihoods programs.

Roles and responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise and support to the implementation of activities on the on-going Agriculture program under the guidance of Agriculture Specialist in Akkar. These activities are for example: monitoring the completion of processing training, monitoring the harvest and post-harvest of herbs, assisting in the distribution of inputs for farmers and conduct outreach for workers under the cash for work activity.
• Support the project team in planning and implementing project activities to meet project deliverables based on timeline and scope agreed with the donor. This is especially for the upcoming activities (training on harvest and post harvest, completion of the cash for work activity, distribution of solar drying system kit)
• Participate in the selection, assessment and training of beneficiaries for project activities including farmer field school and training of agricultural labourers. s/he will be responsible for monitoring activities (using preformed surveys), capturing participants’ feedback and enabling the through filing and record keeping of activities.
• Provide day-to-day support to facilitators involved in the implementation of the FFS approach.
• Maintain, update and report livelihoods program beneficiaries database for internal and external reporting while ensuring protection of personal data to meet the project targets.
• Support livelihood agriculture specialist and other team members in implementing activities, organizing meetings with farmers and workers, and trainings and monitoring of project progress.
• Ensure best practices in terms of Covid-19 prevention are followed on the field and in the office and adapting activities as per CWW’s internal SOPs and sector guidance.
• Build relationships with small producers, agribusinesses, cooperatives, trade unions and local municipalities to carry out the activities of the project and facilitate access to information related to project activities and scope.
• Prepare weekly and monthly reports to be submitted to the Agriculture Specialist when applicable to reflect the completion of the activities and that targets are met.
• Complete the baseline survey for workers and farmers at the beginning of the activity and ensure the completion of the endline survey at the end of the project timeline.
• Other assigned tasks, as necessary.

Work Ethic:

• Adhere to the standards of conduct outlined in the Code of Conduct and its associated policies. Support and promote the standards outlined in the Code of Conduct and its associated policies to their team, partners and stakeholders and be committed to providing a safe working environment.

Qualification and Experience:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent in agriculture.
• 1 years professional experience in the agriculture sector.
• Proven past technical knowledge and including hands on farming experience is a must. Individuals having strong contact with farming community will be given preference.
• Advance user of Microsoft office package especially of excel and words.
• Experience in the implementation of community based development projects with national or international NGOs is an advantage.
• Minimum 1 year of experience in implementing agriculture training projects.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in Arabic and English.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to adapt to change and work under pressure. Strong empathy and genuine care and respect for the needs of others.

• Commitment to humanitarian principles and values

Non-judgmental attitude and respect for Concern’s beneficiaries, other staff and people that Concern deals with.