Technical Field Engineer

Organizational Setting

The upper Litani basin falls within the Governorate of Bekaa. The deteriorating quality of the waters in the Litani River and Lake Qaraoun and the continuous uncontrolled discharge of pollutants from different sources including agricultural pollution caused by the excessive use of agrochemicals necessitate the adoption of proper remedial measures to protect this watercourse and ensure its sustainable utilization.

In this Regard, FAO is currently implementing the project “Promotion of Good Agricultural Practices, Including Integrated Pest Management, to reduce agrochemical pollution in upper Litani basin” in Zahle and West Bekaa and the project “Prevention of Agrochemical Pollution in the Upper Litani River Basin” in Baalbek.

The main objective of the projects is to reduce the pollution of the underground, Litani River and Qaraoun lake water pollution through promotion and application of IPM-Good agricultural practices by farmers in Upper Litani basin and Qaraoun Lake.

Studies have shown that potato growers in the Bekaa use much more chemical fertilizers than needed and follow a chemical pesticides ‘spraying program to prevent pests from damaging their crops and reducing their yields.  Thus, the two project mainly target large potato and Lettuce farmers in the Bekaa to convince them to shift to a more sustainable Integrated Crop Management Practices.

Reporting Lines

The Technical Field Engineer reports to the Project Manager

Technical Focus

• Strong technical capacity in plant protection and crop production of field crops including potato and lettuce.
• Work to promote environmentally friendly alternatives in crop protection and crop management practices among potato and leafy vegetables farmers in the Bekaa.
• Ability to establish and manage Integrated Crop Management  vs traditional practices comparative plots on different field crops
• Field supervision of plots facilitators and technical support to MoA’s and other project’s technical staff.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Review and assess current crop fertilization and pest control practices of potato and leafy vegetables farmers
• Recommend Fertilization and Integrated Crop Management practices, including Integrated Pest management to farmers
• Provide training and field technical support to farmers on farm practices , pest management and crop management
• Coaching and training of project/MoA Comparative Plots facilitators  on different aspects of crop management including technical and economic aspects
• Prepare and review leaflets, guides, or manuals on Integrated Crop Management Practices of potato and other crops
• Organize technical training workshops
• Organize seminars and field days in collaboration with the relevant comparative plot Facilitators, by contacting and ensuring the attendance of the selected farmers.
• Establish and manage comparative pilot plots on potato and Lettuce in the different cazas covered by the project starting from the preparation for planting including taking soil samples until harvesting.
• Conduct weekly progress monitoring visits on a fixed day and complete the weekly monitoring survey with the selected farmer/comparative plot.
• Identify in collaboration with the comparative pilot plots facilitators, candidate farmers to establish comparative pilot plots on potato and lettuce (or other leafy vegetable) by contacting the farmer and explaining the objectives of the project and the requirements from the farmer.
• Help in collecting baseline and end line information about the selected farmers’ agricultural practices before and during the growing season, including production and cost.
• Identify and prepare lists of farmers (25-35) neighbouring the key farmer (where the comparative pilot plot is established) to attend seminars and field days.
• Conduct bimonthly field visits to each selected farmer in the group of farmers neighbouring the comparative pilot plot.
• Assist in the preparation and execution of training workshops on Integrated Management of Crops and other technical trainings conducted within the framework of the project.
• Collect data and keep detailed record on agricultural practices conducted by the farmers in their selected region.
• Prepare and submit a word format monthly report to the project manager summarizing implemented activities (including data collection) findings, constraints and measures taken to overcome them and lessons learned.
• Collect soil, water, plant samples when needed, and deliver it to the LARI lab in Tal al Amara.
• Any other relevant tasks.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements   

• University Degree in Agriculture /Crop Production/Protection
• Minimum Three years of experience in farmers’ development & Crop production in the private sector.
• Very good reporting capabilities in English and Arabic language.
• National 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 plant protection and crop production of field crops
• Extent and relevance of experience in capacity building of farmers and technical staff.
• Good knowledge with MS office applications including excel, word and power point.
• Excellent written and oral presentation skills
• Highly accurate and organized.
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Proven field technical experience in field crops production and pest management
• Good organizational and communication skills