Project Assistant Intern - Zahle (Applications will only be accepted if submitted through the URL link provided below)

INTERNSHIP TITLE: Project Assistant  Intern

INTERN WORKSITE LOCATION: Zahle, Lebanon, with potential travel to various regions within the country of Lebanon.

DATES OF INTERNSHIP: June 15-September 15 2024

HOURS PER WEEK: Full time (40 hours per week)

INTERNS SUPERVISOR & CONTACT INFORMATION: The intern will be supervised by BASATINE Field Assistant, and project manager

FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE INTERNSHIP: To be paid equitably and competitively according to local labor law.

FINANCE DEPARTMENT CODE:

Mercy Corps responsibilities

For the duration of this internship assignment the intern will receive:

● Training and supervisory support

● Access to Mercy Corps online tools

● All other tools, materials, and communication requirements for this project

Intern responsibilities.

Intern will remain responsible for all costs associated with:

● Accommodation, travel and living expenses
 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps has implemented community development programs focused on promoting economic development and increased opportunity for disadvantaged communities, while responding to emergencies as they emerged in the country. In 2012, the program portfolio shifted in response to the massive refugee influx from Syria, and Mercy Corps in Lebanon has solidified its emergency response programming while integrating longer-term development programming by focusing on key sectors: Protection, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Governance and Conflict, and Livelihoods.

The intern project assistant will work under the BASATINE Program (Bolstering Agriculture Systems’ Ability to Invest, Nourish, and Employ) BASATINE is a 42-month AFD-funded program implemented with a consortium consisting of 6 partners in North Lebanon and Bekaa. CARE International is the consortium lead while Mercy Corps is the lead on two of the five components. The intervention aims to immediately address food insecurity and provide needed income and technical support to farmers to survive the current crisis in the short-term, and to improve the capacity of food systems to maintain employment and growth over the longer-term via stronger domestic production and system linkages. Mercy Corps will lead on improved market linkages within the agricultural sector by working with input suppliers and with SMEs within the agro-food industry, and on the generation of evidence through research and regular MEL activities to promote evidence-based sector development.

The program seeks to strike a balance between short-term urgent and ever-evolving humanitarian needs of agricultural producers, and the longer-term building up and facilitation of more efficient market systems supporting the sector. It seeks to address barriers and challenges to increased domestic production along the agriculture value chain(s) that are operationally and financially sustainable. It seeks to identify and scale up potential import substitutes for domestic market consumption and increased food security, while also identifying and addressing barriers to access export markets for improved trade and hard currency generation. The intervention will mainly focus on wheat and vegetables value chains, while also integrating segments of other value chains (poultry, potatoes, trees, etc.) to ensure that it follows a territorial approach. The program will have a strong MEL, research and learning agenda to provide ongoing evidence-based adaptation internally and the generation of actionable, contextualized research for humanitarian and development practitioners, donors, local and national level public sector, and private sector actors.
 

Under the supervision and guidance of the field assistant, the intern will support the BASATINE team. S/he will be responsible for:

• Assist in the planning and implementation of an E-voucher component supporting farmers. .
• Assist with administrative tasks such as scheduling meetings, organizing files, managing email correspondence, and maintaining project documentation.
• Assist in designing and conducting phone calls or monitoring visits to gather feedback from program participants.
• Assist in the logistics of events, workshops, or training sessions.
• Regularly contact farmers, input suppliers and input producers to collect information.
• Participate in team meetings and contribute ideas for improving program effectiveness and efficiency.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Through the internship, the intern will:

• Gain experience in implementing and  monitoring electronic voucher redemption activities.
• Learn techniques for gathering and analyzing feedback from program participants.
• Acquire skills in voucher reconciliation.
• Acquire skills in reporting.
• Develop competency in data collection methods.
• Enhance communication skills through regular contact with program participants and stakeholders.
• Learn to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.
• Participate in team meetings to understand project objectives and progress.
• Contribute ideas for improving program effectiveness and efficiency based on observations and insights gained from tasks.
• Acquire skills related to different agricultural  value chains, working directly with farmers, input suppliers and producers, main actors in this component.

DELIVERABLES:

 Voucher redemption monitoring.

• Monitor the redemption of vouchers by the farmers at designated input suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with redemption procedures and document any discrepancies.

Follow-Up and awareness phone calls with farmers.

• Conduct regular phone calls with farmers to provide updates on the voucher redemption process.
• Provide information and awareness sessions to farmers regarding the local inputs and any other info related to the voucher program.
• Address any concerns or queries raised by farmers regarding the voucher system or program.

Reconciliation of Vouchers.

• Assist in the reconciliation of vouchers by verifying redemption records and suppliers’ reports.
• Identify and resolve any discrepancies in voucher usage or redemption.

Data Reporting.

• Maintain accurate records of voucher distribution, redemption, and monitoring activities.
• Compile data and prepare reports on voucher utilization and program impact as required.

Collaboration.

• Collaborate with the Field Assistant, Project Manager/Program Manager and other team members to ensure smooth implementation of the voucher program.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous experience in voucher distribution, monitoring, or similar fieldwork is preferred.
• Strong communication skills, especially over the phone, with the ability to effectively engage with farmers.
• Attention to detail and ability to accurately record and reconcile data.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with agricultural communities and rural settings is an advantage.

Mercy Corps interns represent the agency both during and outside of work hours and are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Mercy Corps Diversity Statement  

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. 

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Mercy Corps Headquarters: 45 SW Ankeny Street, Portland, Oregon, USA 97204

Mercy Corps: https://www.mercycorps.org/

In your statement, you are encouraged to discuss any relevant experience, and demonstrate your interest. Your application will be reviewed by the Mercy Corps team and shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly for interviews. 

WEB SERVICES: Interns are automatically provided and Mercy Corps email address, as well as access to The Hub, Workplace and the Digital Library.