Vegetable Value Chain Expert

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework, which support the transformation toward more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. This transformation aims to achieve better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, ensuring that no one is left behind.
FAO’s assistance in Lebanon is guided by the 2023 – 2026 FAO Country Programming Framework (CPF), a planning and programming tool that translates the FAO Strategic Framework into actionable steps at the country level. Developed in partnership with the Lebanese government, the CPF aligns with Lebanon's priorities in planning, implementation, and reporting related to the 2030 Agenda.
FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO has been working in Lebanon since 1977. FAO Lebanon project portfolio has been growing in response to the different crises. Projects mainly target farmers, fishers, and their organisations with the aim of building their resilience and capacity to access potential markets, while undertaking sustainable management of resources.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Lebanon is supporting national efforts to enhance sustainable agricultural development, improve food security, and strengthen the resilience of rural livelihoods. The Vegetable Value Chain Expert will contribute to the implementation of projects aimed at increasing agricultural productivity, promoting environmentally friendly practices, and mitigating plant health risks.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Lebanon is implementing a project named “Enhancing Food and Nutrition Security in Lebanon” (GCP /LEB/043/CAN), funded by Canada, and implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture. The project aims to enhance climate-smart agricultural practices, promote sustainable resource management, and build the capacity of stakeholders in Lebanon's apple and vegetables value chains. 

Reporting Lines

The Vegetable Value Chain Expert will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and direct supervision of the Resilience and Liaison Officer. The day-to-day reporting will be in coordination with the project team.

Technical Focus 

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) and the direct supervision of the Liaison and Resilience Officer, the Vegetable Value Chain Expert will provide technical support to the project implementation, specifically for the promotion of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies and practices to small vegetable producers (open-field and greenhouses).

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Ensure high technical quality of the capacity development program targeted to small vegetable producers (open-field and greenhouses), including training, farmers-to-farmers learning and in-kind/investment support
•    Provide technical lead for the field assessment of current vegetable production practices and challenges, including crop management and pest control practices and input use
•    Develop training material and program for CSA practices and technologies to women and men vegetable farmers with gender lens, including the following modules on crop production, crop protection (IPM), integrated soil fertility, integrated water management, harvest and post-harvest, and occupational Safety and Health for farmers and farm workers
•    Develop seasonal capacity building schedule for women and men vegetable farmers
•    Deliver training of trainers (ToT) on CSA practices which systematically includes pre and post tests and mentor trainers during farmers’ sessions
•    Identify lead farmers in each project district and coordinate the implementation of farmers-to-farmers exchange visits
•    Provide technical guidance for farmers applying for matching grants in the vegetable value-chain
•    Facilitate communication with Ministry of Agriculture directorates, the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI) and Municipalities to ensure smooth implementation of project activities
•    Contribute to the development of technical specifications for the procurement of agriculture input and equipment 
•    Assist in collecting baseline and end line data on the agricultural practices of the selected vegetable farmers 
•    Ensure that all activities, training content, materials, and support mechanisms are designed and delivered in a gender-sensitive and inclusive manner, responding to the specific needs, constraints, and roles of women and men in the vegetables value chain
•    Perform any other duties as required

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    University Degree in Agriculture /Crop Production/Protection 
•    Minimum 5 years of experience in farmers’ development and training in Integrated Crop Management in the vegetable value-chain
•    Proficiency in English is required
•    National of Lebanon or resident of the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills
 
•    Ability to combine, synthesize and analyze information
•    Ability to conduct extensive field work
•    Good relational skills with people with different education levels, and social and cultural background
•    Proven skills of report writing and communication in English and Arabic 
•    Very good knowledge of the communication and documentation standards

Selection Criteria

•    Good knowledge of latest CSA practices and technologies available for the vegetable sector
•    Good knowledge of the vegetable producers and local conditions in main vegetable production areas