National Dairy Field Engineer

Organizational Setting The 3 Rome-based Agencies (RBA) Resilience platform (FAO, IFAD and WFP) in Lebanon and Jordan are implementing a project funded by the European Union, under the leadership of FAO. The project entitled “Enhancing resilient livelihoods and food security of host communities and Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon through the promotion of sustainable agricultural development” is implemented in Lebanon in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture. The project responds to the reduced livelihood and food security levels resulting from the Syrian crisis, in Jordan and Lebanon. It tackles its negative impact on the host communities through support to the agriculture sector in improving the agricultural productivity and the farmers’ income in addition to the creation of job opportunities for both host communities and displaced Syrians. The project aims as well to improving risk management and the socioeconomic inclusion through a larger access to social protection and linkages with agricultural interventions for the benefit of the host farming community and the displaced population, in line with the upcoming National Social Protection Strategy, the upcoming National Agricultural Strategy and with the current Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP).

The project has four Outputs: Output 1: Adequate agriculture production support systems for vulnerable farm communities rolled out and good agriculture practices supported and developed; Output 2: Ability of national institutions, farmer groups, agricultural technical centres and schools/facilities to develop capacity of host and refugee’s communities enhanced; Output 3: Productive capacities of vulnerable smallholder host farmers and/or home-based micro and group-based small-scale agri-food enterprises are increased and job opportunities in the form of agricultural labour are created; Output 4: Livelihoods and income generating opportunities for the most food insecure created through sustainable management of natural resources.

This current assignment is part of Outputs 2 and 3, where the project will support 2 000 dairy cattle smallholder farmers in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture’s related services. More specifically, the project will build the capacities of MoA Animal Extension Service to roll out Farm Business Schools (FBS) with small-scale dairy cow farmers and provide participants with vouchers redeemable with on farm equipment necessary for the enhancement of farm productivity and milk quality. Reporting Lines The National Dairy Field Engineer will perform his/her tasks under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Lebanon and the direct supervision of the Project Manager. Technical Focus

• Dairy farm good production practices and husbandry; • Farmers training and outreach; • Dairy farm business management.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Contextualize the existing Farm Business School (FBS) manuals to the dairy sector; • Support in the organization and delivery of the FBS Training of Trainers to MoA Animal Extension Services; • Identify technical training topics needed by the farmers to enhance the quality of their production; • Support MoA Animal Resources Directorate in identifying main topics of trainings to be delivered to the Regional Services; • Produce/Assist in the production of technical training materials and in the development of training tools; • Participate in the elaboration of extension material for awareness raising on issues related to the dairy sector; • Collaborate in the organization of workshops/webinars/training courses and sessions, etc.; • Follow-up on the rollout of FBS and delivery of technical training sessions to dairy cow small holders all over Lebanon; • Support in the identification of on farm equipment and materials needed by the dairy cow small holders; • Assist in the development of the technical specifications the on farm equipment and materials; • Assist in the drafting of the dairy sector suppliers’ call for application; • Assist in the selection, contracting and coaching of input suppliers; • Follow-up and coordinate the process of vouchers distribution and redeeming process; • Assess the needed training equipment of MoA Regional Centres; • Draft technical specifications of training equipment and needed quantities per MoA Regional Centre; • Assist in the procurement of training equipment and their delivery to the MoA centres; • Collect and analyse relevant technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related information, data and/or statistics to support the delivery of programme outcome, outputs and activities; • Undertake analysis, provide technical input for plans and report and edit/revise technical/scientific documents and animal production specifications; • Conduct country-wide field missions as needed; • Participate in the development of improved work methods, tools and systems; • Update related project databases as needed; • Participate on multi-disciplinary programme/work teams; • Liaise and collaborate with the MoA and other project partners for the good implementation of the project activities; • Participate in the organization, conduct and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the development/production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners; • Provide support to consultants and staff assigned to the project; • Assist, if requested, in briefing meetings for the benefit of FAO Representative, Resilience Coordinator, Steering Committee, and senior related staff of partners; • Undertake other project related tasks as requested by the respective Project Manager / Lead Technical Officer

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture - Animal Sciences/Production, Veterinary Sciences or related field; • Five years of relevant experience in dairy cow farm production in Lebanon; • Proven experience in animal production, nutrition, milk handling and hygiene and husbandry practices; • Previous experience in dairy sector training development and delivery; • Previous experience in farmers/beneficiaries outreach; • Nationality of Lebanon.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work • Extent and relevance of experience in farm business concepts • Extent and relevance of experience in dairy on farm equipment • Familiarity with Agriculture/Animal Production and rural development projects • Previous experience with a UN agency or international NGOs is an advantage • Good written and oral working knowledge in English and Arabic; • Computer literacy of the Microsoft package including Excel or database software.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required. Vaccination status will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.