Post-Harvest Handling Training Specialist

Background:
ACDI/VOCA, a US-based NGO funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is implementing the five-year DHAIM project in Lebanon to advance high-value horticulture by introducing hydroponic production technology and other technical upgrades to improve traditional soil-based production methods.  The project was designed to improve lives and liveli­hoods for rural Lebanese producers.
 
DHAIM works in partnership with three Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (CCIA’s) in Tripoli, Saida and Zahle-Bekaa and four NGOs (Arcenciel, the Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Human Development, the Rene Moawad Foundation and the Safadi Foundation) to strengthen the horticulture value chain in Lebanon.
 
DHAIM is working with its seven partners and their technical engineers to introduce post-harvest extension services and assistant to farmers across Lebanon.
DHAIM is recruiting a short term employee to collaborate with the DHAIM program technical experts, managers and field staff to develop the curriculum and carry out a TOT of training on post-harvest to be later applied to train farmers on post-harvest practices.
 
Objective of the Assignment:
The primary objective of this assignment is to assess the needs of beneficiary farmers for improved post-harvest practices, and develop and deliver a TOT training that can be applied by extensionists with producers at the farm level.
 
Key Responsibilities:
 
-          Attend an orientation meeting at the DHAIM Office with the COP, staff and technical team to obtain an overview concerning the current status of the project
-          Coordinate and oversee an assessment of the beneficiaries needs for  improved post-harvest practices including:

Review previous and existing assessments and reports that were done for similar purposes under the DHAIM program and other programs
Meet with key informants to determine post-harvest needs

 
-  Develop a TOT training curriculum and program to be delivered to Staff members and then adapted and used to train farmers
 
-   Carry out a TOT on post-harvest concepts and principles to DHAIM and partners staff, with subjects including: appropriate preharvest techniques; maturity and quality indices; sorting; losses; handling practices; cooling; storage temperature and relative humidity; post-harvest physiological and pathological disorders; mechanical injuries; best practices in loss reduction;
 
- Facilitate on-site visits for project staff to existing packing houses, including hands-on training on sorting and best practices in post-harvest handling;
 
- Coordinate with the staff members to adapt the TOT at the producer farm level;
 
-  Develop assessment tool for trainees to determine mastery of training materials.