Agricultural Volunteer

Assignment: The agricultural volunteer will provide support to farmers, cooperatives and SMEs in designing an internal management plan and support in the roll of sustainable practices.

ACTED, in partnership with the Environment and Sustainable Development Unit (ESDU) of the American University of Beirut has launched two projects in support of the agricultural sector in Lebanon. These projects, implemented in Bekaa and the South will provide technical trainings, in-kind support and wage subsidies for farm workers and agricultural/agro-food cooperatives and SMEs. ACTED is seeking volunteers to support in capacity building of farmers/cooperatives/SMEs and development of land management/cooperative and SME management plans. This offers a practical opportunity for students and recent graduates to support the implementation of innovative approaches with the Lebanese agro-food sectors.

1. TRAININGS

All agricultural volunteers will be provided with specialized training by ACTED as well as ESDU. The training themes may include: building soil health and microbial activity, water management on farms, sustainable agriculture, food processing and safety trainings (particularly related to COVID-19). Trainings may take place online or on-site, and will be decided based on assessment of COVID-19 impacts. Volunteers may also be provided with additional workshops on key technical topics as relevant and depending on budget availability. All volunteers will be provided with certificates upon successful completion of the trainings.

2. RESPONSIBILITIES

Following the trainings, volunteers will be paired with local farms, agricultural and agro-food cooperatives and SMEs. Volunteers are expected to visit the farms/cooperatives/SMEs, develop an implementation plan based on a template provided by ACTED/ESDU. Prior to this, ESDU will conduct a workshop on approaches/templates to adopt on development and follow-up of the implementation plan. The implementation plans will contain suggestions for practical implementation of concepts covered in the trainings above. It is estimated that volunteers will visit project sites at least 4 times during the duration of the project. During the visits, with guidance from the trainers and ACTED/ESDU technical staff, volunteers are expected to provide practical inputs on the implementation plans.

All volunteers will be provided with safety and health trainings in relation to COVID-19 impacts, and are expected to comply with safety conditions.

3. DURATION AND LOCATION

Volunteers are expected to be available from End-August 2020 until December 2020. Volunteers are expected to attend approximately 5-10 days of trainings, followed by at least 4 site visits. Further coordination with farmers/cooperatives/SMEs as well as ACTED/ESDU staff may be done online/on the phone.

Volunteers must be based in, or willing to conduct site visits in the following locations:

• in Bekaa: Rachaya, West and Central Bekaa districts (including Rashaya, Kfarmechki, Kamed EL laouz, Khiara, Machghara, Saghbine, kherbit Kanafar, sohmor, Kab Elias, Soultan Yaacoub, Anjar, Ferzoul municipalities);
• In the South: Bent Jbeil, Nabatiyeh, Sour, Hasbaya and Saida districts (including Ain Ebel, Debel, Hariss, Yanouh, Kfar dounine, Arab Salim, Abbasye, Bourj Rahal, Jannata, Qana, Hasbaya, Sarafand municipalities).

4. REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Student/recent graduate of Agricultural sciences, landscape management, environmental sciences, food security and food processing programs.
• Some knowledge of GIS software advantageous. Can also use other smartphone mapping apps to develop land plans.
• Must be based in target locations listed above or willing to travel to the target locations.
• Strong communication skills in Arabic language required.