Avocado Extension Engineer

Develop Lebanese Avocado Production (DLAP) project is funded by Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI) and implemented by HFSHD. The project is designed to facilitate the establishment of a high-value Avocado fruit in Lebanon with the long-term goal of improving lives and livelihoods of Lebanese Avocado producers through increased revenue. DLAP uses value chain approach to enhance Lebanon’s Avocado sector through three program components:
1) Provide technical support and implement training to avocado farmers;
2) Establish Avocado Demonstration plot;
3) Build Avocado directory and organization of Avocado stakeholders.
 
Avocado Extension Engineer (AEE): His job is to provide technical support to avocado farmers on site either in the HFSHD demonstration plot or during extension visits to farmers orchards; they will enhance their technical skills through participating in TOT trainings implemented by the DAI’s Avocado Expert and DLAP Project Manager.
 
The AEE will coordinate with the avocado expert and the on appropriate cultural practices to be done at farmers’ orchards. These practices include Technical Assistance about what and when to plant, fertilize, when and how much to irrigate. The AEE will train the farmers to identify and deal with avocado production problems. The AEE should fill a visitation form at every visit, and provide a monthly report describing each farmer’s progress.  The AEE will estimate their production. Production estimates will be given to the marketing manager (MM) to develop harvesting schedule. If any famer decides to expand his business then the AEE links him to the business development manager (BDM) who will help the farmer access loans, conduct a feasibility study and then link the Farmers to banks, microfinance institutions (MFIs) and input suppliers.
 
The candidate will respond to DLAP’s project manager and LIVCD Team including avocado Value chain manager and will provide day to day technical interventions based on training and technical guidance from the project manager who will lead the programmatic approach toward accomplishment of program results. 
Qualification Requirements

Fresh graduate Agriculture Engineer. Agriculture engineer with at least two (2) years of proven experience in agricultural field production is a definite bonus.
Previous experience in Avocado is a definite bonus,
Knowledge  in Avocado crop scheduling, fertilization, irrigation/fertigation, GAP, IPM, harvesting and postharvest handling is a plus,
Good record keeping skills,
Excellent communication skills,
Experience in working with producer groups,
Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint a must),
Physically fit,
Must be willing to be work with a variety of different fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides.

10. Must Promote for the avocado plants produced in the HFSHD Fruit Tree Nursery,
11. Experience in applying pesticides is a plus,
12. Previous experience with input suppliers is a plus,
13. Access to personal transportation, the candidate should have a driving license and a car.