Agriculture Industry Specialist (AI)

II. Assignment Objectives
The AS must have domain and expertise about providing counselling and advice on topics such as pest control, plant care, soil preparation, and seed selection. Conducting research to improve crop production methods and develop new varieties. The AI provides advice to other team members. The work scope includes to coordinate and plan strategic procedures to improve the work processes and ensure stakeholder satisfaction. The AI will be active in participating in learning programs and training sessions to share their knowledge and best practices for their specialization. The AI must be able to work on tight deadlines.

III. Duties and Responsibilities
The Agriculture Specialist will provide technical leadership and support in three major areas:

•  Strategic plans and implementation with a view towards short, medium and long term strategies in plant cultivation and harvesting.
• Able to plan for continuous supply of wheat to Lebanon and mitigate risks of non-supply due to various factors.
• Work out implementation plans with regards to import/export activities, value chain management, monitoring and evaluation and has project management & delivery of wheat supplies.

IV. Specific Tasks to be Undertaken:

• In coordination with stakeholders, draft/prepare action plans and associated templates.
• Identify possibilities for joint evaluations and monitoring.
• In coordination with Information Officer, collate and provide analysis of data and information, producing substantive analytical and informative reports.
• Follow-up and analyze reform processes and implications.
• Prepare briefs/papers as necessary.
• Develop accurate, realistic and measurable baselines, indicators and targets at the sector level.
• Develop mechanisms at sector level, as well as relevant field-friendly tools, modes and systems for data collection, and subsequent analysis.
• Create, implement and provide training on necessary monitoring and evaluation templates and databases.
• Install sound monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure proper implementation of sector interventions.
• Guide the documentation processes for the best practices and lessons learnt based on program approaches pertinent to implementation of sector interventions.
• Assist in establishing baselines, design of database of socio-economic data for planning, implementation and follow up of sector development plans and strategies.
• Liaise with Heads of Agencies (HoA) and other relevant stakeholders to ensure realistic inputs into annual plan and target setting exercises, and on implementation of coordinated monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Facilitate inter-sectoral planning and integration of cross-cutting issues into Work Plan progress, and provide advice on enhancing the strategic vision of the annual process and working documents.
• Provide ongoing support on new monitoring and evaluation methodologies, providing training to staff, and facilitating learning sessions for other stakeholders.
• Provide mentoring as needed to colleagues (e.g., on baseline/indicator/target/results concepts)

V. Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity with high values and ethical standards.
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the client.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

VI. Functional Competencies:

• Demonstrated experience working with results frameworks and performance monitoring.
• Demonstrated experience in working with global, regional and country partners and other agencies, experts and host country staff in planning of monitoring activities.
• Statistical skills for analyzing data and ensuring program design has statistical rigor.
• Ability to organize and lead project-wide activities.
• Willingness to learn from and consult with colleagues for inputs and information sharing.
• In-depth knowledge of humanitarian and recovery/development issues.
• Ability to advocate and provide advice.
• Demonstrated experience in negotiating technical priorities and developing tools to define and focus on priority outcomes.
• Knowledge and understanding of Lebanon situation and its complexity is preferred but not an absolute requirement

VII. Management and Leadership

• Ability to lead implementation of new systems (monitoring and evaluation area), and affect attitudinal change.
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Proactive approach to work, good follow-up and follow-through

VIII. Required Skills and Experience

• 15 – 20 years’ experience in Agriculture (ex- retired civil servant from Ministry of Agriculture).
• Experience in trade / export / import.
• Experience in supply / value chain management.
• Experience in Monitoring & Evaluation.
• Experience in Project management / Delivery.
• A minimum of a degree in a development-related field, i.e., International Relations, Statistics, Economics, Finance, Social Sciences or Public Administration.
• Knowledge of and experience in planning.
• Proven experience with statistical applications and data analysis; familiarity with both qualitative and quantitative information analysis tools..
• Excellent interpersonal, consensus building and negotiating skills essential.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation concepts, with the ability to explain them with clarity, knowledge of corporate frameworks an asset.
• Strong knowledge of the Lebanon situation: the political, cultural and socio-economic context, and their historical precedents that continue to affect the present situation, preferred but not required.
• Fluency in both written and spoken English and Arabic are required.