Market Specialist

Market Specialist

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES AND DELIVERABLES

1. Introduction & Objectives (General info about the project)

Through a market-driven approach that builds sustainable linkages among value chain actors (including producers, processors, supplier and traders), CARE is leading a project funded by WFP through BMZ and implemented by CARE Lebanon, Fairtrade, ADR (Association for the Development of Rural Capacities), and IDRAK. The Project Objective to improve sustainable livelihood opportunities for 1085 vulnerable women and youth (18+) in targeted refugee and Lebanese communities in North Lebanon, Mount Lebanon, and South Lebanon, will therefore increase incomes of rural farmers, benefiting the broader Lebanese economy through rural job creation that also benefits marginalized youth and women, by increasing producer value in both domestic and export markets by upgrading entrepreneurial skill-sets and production/processing capacities in order to improve quality, quantity and consistency of agro-products.

At the individual level, this project will improve the skills, capacities and livelihood opportunities of 330 vulnerable women, youth, and men (Specific Objective/SO 1), including the capacity building of vulnerable agriculture workers at the communal level, the project will work with 485 farmer, food producer cooperative members and agro-processors engaged in targeted value chains in order to increase their income and market opportunities (SO 2); at the institutional level, the project will strengthen key agricultural and market support (AMS) infrastructure that benefits targeted value chains (including coop and processor entities SO 3).

1. Proven Experience:

• At least 2-4 years of experience as market specialist in an NGO, preferably in Agriculture value chain or other livelihood projects.
• Knowledge of the local communications landscape
• Experience in the humanitarian field
• Experience in the agriculture SME sector
• Demonstrable experience in engaging with private sector and micro enterprise

1. Education & Certification:

Bachelor or master’s degree in marketing, business management or any relevant major.

1. Technical Skills:

Familiarity with MS Office software.

1. Language Skills:

Arabic                    Fluent in speaking, reading and writing                       

English                   Fluent in speaking, reading and writing                       

French                    Optional              

1. Responsibilities and Tasks:

Care International is hiring Agri-market specialist to work with selected Coops in Mount Lebanon & South. He/she will be working under the supervision of the Chamber of Commerce and in close collaboration and guidance with Business Development Manager from CARE to perform the following tasks:

• Provide technical support on agricultural products, related to branding and packaging especially Dairy and honey products to food processors and cooperatives.
• Promote and market the cooperative activity for farmers in the North
• Support producer cooperatives and agro-processors in the development of market linkages.
• Expand the MSMEs market prospects, who took training in the cooperative, and market their products in North.
• Identify potential export pathways for cooperatives and SMEs to exploit,
• Technical assistance in helping business entities navigate the regulatory environment and certification processes related to export markets.
• Serve as a liaison between the Ministry of Economy & Trade (MoET) and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA)
• Support producer cooperatives to better organize as legal entities.
• Organize institutional learning exchange visits to the QCC to foster learning dissemination and reinforce best practices of agribusiness support and economic development.
• Support CoC in Tripoli in planning and implementing project activities in terms of promoting and marketing the testing tools at the chamber
• Coordinate with MEAL department and communication officers to plan visibility, case studies and knowledge of the activities.

1. Deliverables

• Submit a weekly report activities and deliverables to BDS Specialist.
• Create a capacity Assessment tool for Food processors and conduct the assessments.
• Conduct training sessions on legal registration, identifying potential export pathways for cooperatives and SMEs to exploit, branding and packaging , and financial management for food processing MSMEs and cooperatives and provide a full curriculum for these topics with lesson materials.
• Develop a Cooperative Management Module that includes the following topics: understanding current legal framework for cooperatives, economic participation of members (i.e. member contribution, allocation of surplus, redistribution), cooperative and networking schemes and best practices, production cost analysis, marketing, product life cycle, identifying potential export pathways for cooperatives and SMEs to exploit, branding and packaging, as well as technical assistance in helping business entities navigate the regulatory environment and certification processes related to export markets, and business plan development.
• Develop a road map for each business entity to expand their market prospects.
• Arrange with CARE staff regional workshops hosted in coordination with the MoA and MoET to enhance institutional capacity around national and global agricultural trends, that will be coordinated in tandem with national trade exhibitions.

1. Period of performance

• The market specialist will be working in Tripoli as full time start April 2019 till August 31^st. Contract extension is an option depending on the project timeframe if applicable.

1. Supervision

• The market specialist is expected to work closely with the Chamber of Commerce in Tripoli, reporting to the Business development specialist at CARE.

1. Other Competency

• Ability to interact with farmers and business owner people
• Mature judgment with strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Collaborative spirit able to liaise with a wide range of people at all levels
• Experience in agricultural extension is an asset
• Proven skills in rapid appraisal, data analysis and report writing in English;
• Flexible and creative; being able to offer a variety of solutions for any given problem
• Demonstrated attention to detail; ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently as well as cooperatively with team members. Strong empathy skills and genuine care and respect for needs of others.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles and values