Collective Action Specialist

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's office for Lebanon is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing
countrywide food, agriculture and rural development priorities under Lebanon. It develops and maintains relations with the relevant
Ministries at country level. This position is based in FAO Representation in Beirut, Lebanon. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and direct supervision of the Programme Leader and in close coordination with other Units and colleagues in the office, the Collective Action Specialist will carry out the below activities.

Technical Focus

The technical focus of this role is to design, operationalize, and strengthen collective action processes within agricultural value chains and food systems. This includes applying systems-thinking approaches to identify common constraints, facilitating structured dialogue among diverse stakeholders, and enabling co creation of coordinated, evidence-based interventions. The specialist will support the establishment of effective governance and collaboration mechanisms, ensure integration of gender and inclusion considerations, and provide technical guidance that enhances stakeholder alignment, joint decision-making, and the overall coherence, ownership, and sustainability of project outcomes.

Tasks and responsibilities

Collective Action:

• Support the design, monitoring and implementation of FAO Lebanon’s Collective Action vision and action plan across programmes.
• Support the design and facilitation of multi stakeholder platforms to support collaborative problem solving within targeted agricultural value chains and food systems.
• Conduct stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify key actors, interests, incentives, and barriers to cooperation.
• Guide participatory diagnosis processes, using systems thinking approaches to identify shared bottlenecks and opportunities for joint action.
• Facilitate co creation of collective action plans, ensuring alignment with FAO technical guidance and government priorities.
• Support the establishment and operationalization of governance and coordination mechanisms, including working groups, action committees, and cross institutional task forces.
• Engage and strengthen cooperatives, farmer groups, and producer organizations by facilitating their active participation in multi stakeholder processes, supporting their organizational development, and ensuring their priorities and capacities are effectively integrated into collective action plans.
• Ensure meaningful inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups across all collective action processes.
• Develop facilitation tools, templates, and guidelines to standardize collective action practices across programmes.
• Monitor progress of collective action initiatives, document lessons learned, and adapt approaches based on stakeholder feedback.
• Strengthen the capacities of partners (government, producer organizations, private sector, CSOs) in facilitation, negotiation, dialogue, and collaborative decision making.
• Prepare technical notes, meeting summaries, and knowledge products that capture outcomes and recommendations emerging from collective action platforms.
• Serve as a focal point for ensuring coherence and coordination between collective action activities across FAO Lebanon’s programmes.
• Support coordinated and timely project implementation by ensuring that collective action processes feed directly into work planning, harmonizing activities across partners, and monitoring progress to align field operations with agreed joint actions and project objectives.

Programme/Project Management:

• Contribute technical inputs in the development, implementation, and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitor and analyze programme/project development and implementation.
• Lead in the technical implementation of all activities in the programme portfolio / thematic area in close collaboration with other stakeholders.
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams to assist governments and relevant stakeholders in the preparation and implementation of projects and programmes in the thematic field.
• Provide advice to develop policies and strategies and lead in technical input on system strengthening/policy review options,
• Lead in capacity development activities related to the respective thematic area/portfolio.
• Ensure technical quality assurance and quality control of the technical outputs of the project.
• Ensure smooth project implementation through the coordination of regular stakeholder meetings.
• Prepare detailed work plans for the project in collaboration with project staff and stakeholders and make implementation arrangements for the field activities and training.
• Assist in the preparation of technical specifications of inputs, supplies, and equipment, envisaged in Programmes’ documents and assist in the procurement process.
• Consult and communicate regularly with key project stakeholders, government, partners, beneficiaries, and donors.
• Represent FAO in interagency clusters and technical working groups.
• Draft Terms of Reference (ToR) for consultants and follow up on their recruitments and assignments on time.
• Coordinate the work of affiliate personnel assigned to the project.
• Contribute to the preparation of LoAs’ for Service Providers (SPs) for respective activities.
• Implement a robust M&E system and ensure strong learning, communication, and knowledge management within the project team and with wider stakeholders
• Provide technical input to various written outputs, e.g. drafts of background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, project activity reports, etc.
• Provide advice and technical expertise to knowledge management activities including the documentation of lessons learned / best practices and the preparation of publications in the thematic area
• Document best practices, success stories and lessons learned based on beneficiaries' feedback and own observations from the field.
• Assist in preparation of periodic progress and ad hoc reports, monitoring reports, and final narrative Programmes reports for submission to donors.
• Contribute to preparation of reports (monthly, interim narrative and terminal donors’ reports).
• Perform other related duties and activities as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture, rural development, development studies, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in multi stakeholder facilitation, collective action processes, value chain development, rural institutions, or participatory governance within agriculture or food systems, and proven experience in working with cooperatives, farmer groups, producer organizations, or community-based structures including leading or supporting project implementation within development or humanitarian contexts, ideally in agriculture, food security, or rural development.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and Arabic
• National of Lebanon.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Strong expertise in facilitating multi stakeholder processes, dialogue, and consensus building in agriculture and food systems.
• Ability to apply systems thinking and participatory analysis to identify shared bottlenecks, incentives, and opportunities for coordinated action.
• Proven skills in governance and platform design, including setting up working groups, committees, and collaboration mechanisms.
• Experience in value chain development, with the ability to translate technical constraints into collective action interventions.
• Capacity to strengthen cooperatives, farmer groups, and producer organizations, including organizational development and inclusive participation.
• Solid understanding of gender, youth, and social inclusion principles and how to integrate them into collaborative processes.
• Strong project implementation skills, including planning, coordination, and monitoring of activities involving multiple partners.

Selection Criteria

• Experience with a UN Agency or International NGO is desirable.
• Familiarity with computers and Microsoft Suite.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Proven experience in partnership development, capacity building, and knowledge management. Understanding of agricultural production systems, value chains, and rural development dynamics. Familiarity with international development practices and donor procedures is an asset.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively in multicultural teams and communicate complex financial concepts to diverse audiences. Proficiency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of other relevant languages is an advantage
• Proven skills of report writing and communication

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.