National Specialist for the preparation of feasibility study on aromatic plants (including saffron)

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that works towards achieving sustainable agricultural development, food security, and nutrition globally. In Lebanon, FAO plays a crucial role in addressing the unique food security and nutrition challenges faced by the country. With its presence and operations in Lebanon, FAO in Lebanon (FAO-B) aims at strengthening the agricultural sector, improve food security, and enhance the nutritional well-being of vulnerable populations. The objective is to address the challenges and promote sustainable solutions to ensure food security, improve nutrition outcomes, and enhance the resilience of food systems.

Lebanon is passing through an economic crisis with negative impact on all sectors, particularly the agriculture and food security. The crisis has caused the price of many imported foods to increase, which is exacerbated by rising prices in international markets and the recent supply chain challenges due to the conflict in Ukraine. Hyperinflation, dysfunctional monetary system and shortage of basic supplies is causing socioeconomic challenges that may translate into political repercussions. The GDP of Lebanon has contracted by 58 percent between the year 2018-2021 while the financial and banking systems are close to failure. More than half of the population is living under the poverty line with severe food insecurity numbers of 34 percent among Lebanese and almost 50 percent among refugees.

Reporting Lines

The National Specialist will report to and work under the technical supervision of the FAO Representative in Lebanon. Reporting line for day-to-day coordination and deliveries is to the Liaison and Resilience Officer in FAOLB.

Technical Focus

Lebanon is heavily reliant on food import, among others about 80 percent of its required wheat is imported. At the same time, Lebanon has arable agriculture land that is not being utilized and even the existing agriculture practices are not productive and efficient as per the potential. The Government of Lebanon, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, designed the Lebanese Agriculture Recovery Plan (LARP). Within the LARP, one of identified intervention is:

• Provide technical assistance, equipment, cost-sharing etc. to agriculture and agro-processing businesses to use new technologies, solar energy, efficient irrigation methods, new high value crops such as Saffron and developed seed varieties.

Within this framework, the Ministry of Agriculture requested FAO’s support to initiate a feasibility study on aromatic plants production, including Saffron.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Lebanon, the National Specialist will work in close collaboration with the FAO Lebanon team and the Ministry of Agriculture and related services and concerned stakeholders. The overall work is estimated to take 20 working days.

The National Specialist should initiate the necessary actions to prepare a multi-facets feasibility study for the production of aromatic plants, including saffron among others, together with detailed swot analysis and recommendations for each of the aromatic plants specie or value-chain (at least 4, saffron being one of them). The National Specialist will provide advice (technical, legal, etc.) in close collaboration with FAOLB, the concerned services at the Ministry of Agriculture as well as other stakeholders and will be performing the following duties:

• Organize technical meetings with the concerned directorate/services of the Ministry of Agriculture, and with other concerned stakeholders such as producers, processors, consumers, private sector; • Prepare different sections and outputs of the feasibility study, based on consultations and sound-technical proofs; • Draft a comprehensive feasibility study as well as the short version needed for briefing and communication; • Submit an end-of-assignment report in English.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree in Agriculture or related field from recognized university. • Ten years of proven experience in research and development. At least five years demonstrated working experience in agricultural development feasibility studies. • Working knowledge (level C) of written and spoken English and working knowledge of the local language (Arabic or French); • National of Lebanon or a legal resident in the country.

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. • Good interaction skills with people from different educational levels, and social and cultural backgrounds. • Research experience and ability to meet tight deadlines. • Excellent organizational, communication capacity and excellent reporting skills in English and Arabic. • Demonstrated understanding of the selected value chain in each country with particular experiences in working with government institutions and private sector. • Demonstrable experience in analysis of the selected species’ value-chain and related sub-sectors is highly desirable. • Experience working in UN agencies is desired and experience in the private sector working at different stages of the agrifood value chain is a plus.