Carpentry & Upholstery Specialist

Founded in 2016, EMPOWER is a Lebanese NGO whose mission is to promote social, economic and cultural development, with a focus on empowering youth and providing tools for employment through capacity building, training and mentorship. Throughout its projects, EMPOWER aims to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) defined in Agenda 2030 - adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015 – specifically in SDG1 for Poverty Eradication, SGD4 for Quality Education, SDG5 for Gender Equality, SDG8 for Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG11 for Reduced Inequality. Empower is dedicated to creating solutions for poverty using sustainable development projects, working with rural communities, and targeting mainly youth in local communities by providing training, assistance, and necessary materials to improve their income generation practices in different sectors, aiming towards food security and livelihoods.

Upon donor’s approval, EMPOWER is recruiting a Carpentry & Upholstery Specialist between October and November 2025 to provide 30 days (5 hours each)  and of theoretical and practical sessions in Ardeh-Zgharta, for a total of 20 beneficiaries, aged between 18 and 24 years.

Role and Responsibilities:   

1. S/he will be in charge of providing a total of 30 sessions (5hours/session).
2. Having or designing a curriculum covering, but not limited to the following topics: Safety rules and equipment, Hand tools (saws, chisels, hammers), Power tools (drills, routers, nail guns), Types of wood and other materials, Clamping and gluing techniques, Sanding and smoothing, Staining, painting, varnishing, Roofing and framing, Estimating materials and costs, History and types of upholstery, Overview of materials used, Staple guns, tack hammers, sewing machines, Cutting tools, needles, and threads, Types of fabrics (leather, cotton, synthetic), Taking accurate measurements, Creating templates and patterns, Inspecting and repairing furniture frames, Cutting fabric accurately, Attaching decorative trims, Covering and Finishing, Stretching and attaching fabric, Using staples, tacks, and nails, Restoring antique furniture…
3. Providing the trainees with the necessary skills for employment.
4. Reporting weekly and monthly to the Field officer/Project coordinator on all conducted activities.
5. Attending EMPOWER staff meetings when required.

Skills:

• A degree in Carpentry & Upholstery or any related field.
• At least 2 years of proven experience in Carpentry & Upholstery.
• Provision of similar trainings is a plus.
• Ability and willingness to be flexible and adaptable in terms of work practices.
• Commitment to and understanding of EMPOWER’s aims, values and principles including rights-based approaches and sustainability.
• Advanced level of reporting and presentation skills, with excellent interpersonal communication skills.

EMPOWER has a zero tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of beneficiaries and staff. Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) is everyone’s responsibility, and all staff are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct, that enshrines principles of PSEA, always (both during working hours and outside work hours). Familiarization with, and adherence to the Code of Conduct is an essential requirement of all staff. All staff must ensure that they understand and act in accordance with this clause.