Dairy Value Chain Expert

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood sys tems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO has been working in Lebanon since 1977. FAO Lebanon project portfolio has been growing in response to the different crises. Projects mainly target farmers, fishers, and their organisations with the aim of building their resilience and capacity to access potential markets, while undertaking sustainable management of resources.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Lebanon is supporting national efforts to enhance sustainable agricultural development, improve food security, and strengthen the resilience of rural livelihoods. The National Plant Protection/Plant Production Specialist will contribute to the implementation of projects aimed at increasing agricultural productivity, promoting environmentally friendly practices, and mitigating plant health risks.

Background Country and Project

The FAO is implementing a project in Lebanon funded by the World Bank. The project entitled “Employment creation for vulnerable Lebanese citizens and Syrian displaced population in livestock value chain” is implemented in Lebanon in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture. 
The project responds to the limited job creation in the dairy value chain despite the high demand on dairy products as well as the high reliance on imported animal feed and reduced milk quality. It tackles their negative impact through support to the dairy value chain in improving quality and competitiveness in addition to the job creation for both host communities and displaced Syrians. The project aims as well to promote domestic fodder production and enhance veterinary services and provide technical support and sources of financing. The project is in line with Lebanon’s updated 2021 Nationally Determined Contribution, which lists strengthening the resilience of the agriculture sector to climate change as a pillar of the country’s adaptation strategy.

The project has two main components:

Component 1: Enhancing dairy value chains for generating employment and increasing incomes.
Component 2: Climate resilient fodder and feed production.

General Objectives of the Assignment

This current assignment is part of components 1 and 2, where the project will support strengthen the dairy value chain by supporting smallholder farmers through technical assistance, climate-smart farm investments, and capacity building. It will provide matching grants for equipment and infrastructure and deliver training to improve productivity and sustainability. Additionally, it will promote climate-resilient fodder and feed production to create job opportunities, particularly for youth and vulnerable populations, while enhancing livestock resilience to climate change.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and direct supervision of the Resilience and Liaison Officer, in consultation with the AFAOR Programme.

Technical Focus

The Specialist needs to manage the mitigation measures and arrangements described in the risk management and stakeholder engagement plans cleared by the ESM unit:  

Tasks and responsibilities

General tasks: 

•    Conduct country-wide field missions as needed;
•    Participate in the development of improved work methods, tools and systems;
•    Update related project databases as needed;
•    Participate on multi-disciplinary programme/work teams;
•    Liaise and collaborate with the MoA and other project partners for the good implementation of the project activities;
•    Participate in the organization, conduct and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the development/production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners;
•    Provide support to consultants and staff assigned to the project;
•    Assist, if requested, in briefing meetings for the benefit of FAO Representative, Resilience Coordinator, Steering Committee, and senior related staff of partners;
•    Undertake other project related tasks as requested by the respective Project Manager / Lead Technical Officer.

Under component 1:

•    Assist in the review and selection of farmer investments based on the received expressions of interest;
•    Advise on cost-effective, energy-efficient technologies suitable for smallholder operations;
•    Support the finalization of the adaptation of the Farm Business Schools curriculum to the dairy sector;
•    Support the establishment of Farm Business Schools (FBS) to develop organizational and technical capacities;
•    Assist in the procurement of training material;
•    Assist in the development of the technical specifications of dairy equipment and materials; 
•    Assist the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) in designing and implementing capacity building programs and technical services to farmers and their groups;
•    Assist MoA in developing and updating training material;
•    Support in the procurement of mobile veterinary clinics and labs for supporting MoA veterinary and livestock services;
•    Support in the provision of tools and equipment needed to facilitate MoA’s capacity to deliver services and fulfil its mandate; 
•    Support in the organization and delivery of FBS refresher sessions to MoA Animal Extension Services trainers;
•    Support in the identification of technical training topics needed by the farmers to enhance the quality of their production especially in relation to general dairy farm management;
•    Assist in the production of innovative digital tools to improve MoA capacity to deliver know-how and information;
•    Collect and analyse relevant technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related information, data and/or statistics to support the delivery of programme outcome, outputs and activities;
•    Undertake analysis, provide technical input for plans and report and edit/revise technical/scientific documents and animal production specifications;

Under component 2: 

•    Monitor the implementation of activities under the LoA and ensure timely progress reporting;
•    Review the training materials for dairy farmers developed by LARI on Climate-smart fodder management;
•    Participate in the evaluation of trial results;
•    Assist in identifying and engaging local seed producers or cooperatives for multiplication efforts;
•    Assist in the drafting and review of the cash assistant manual;
•    Identify labour-intensive fodder production tasks suitable for temporary employment (e.g., land preparation, planting, weeding, harvesting);
•    Prepare standardized attendance and payment tracking templates for use in cash-for-labour activities;
•    Support the collection, review, and consolidation of labor records to facilitate timely and fair payments to beneficiaries;
•    Coordinate with LARI and MoA to identify selection criteria for farmers to receive input grants;
•    Assist in drafting and launching a public call for applications to select farmers;
•    Participate in the screening and verification of applications, including field visits if necessary, to ensure compliance with eligibility criteria;
•    Define technical specifications for seeds, mechanical harvesters, and other inputs;
•    Support the procurement process by participating in technical evaluations, supplier follow-up, and quality checks of received goods;
•    Develop a distribution plan in collaboration with logistic and contracted supplier to ensure timely and equitable delivery of inputs;
•    Oversee the on-site distribution process to farmers, ensuring accurate documentation, signature collection, etc.;
•    Develop a post distribution monitoring template and conduct post-distribution monitoring visits to assess input use.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in agriculture - Animal Sciences/Production, Veterinary Sciences or related field;
•    The candidate must have a minimum of five years of relevant experience in the dairy value chain in Lebanon, with proven expertise in animal production, nutrition, milk handling and hygiene, husbandry practices, dairy milk processing, and fodder production, as well as prior experience in developing and delivering dairy sector training, conducting farmers/beneficiaries outreach, and possessing knowledge of farm business concepts, dairy on-farm equipment, and familiarity with agriculture, animal production, and rural development projects.
•    Working knowledge in English and Arabic;
•    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
•    Previous experience with a UN agency or international NGOs is an advantage
•    Computer literacy of the Microsoft package including Excel or database software.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION