National Agricultural Consultant

Position Information

- VA No.: UNDP/LBN/VA26/135

- Position Title: National Agricultural Consultant

- Duty Station: Beirut with frequent site visits to North, Bekaa, Mount Lebanon and the South.

- Duration: 3 months (18 working days per month)

- Vacancy Date of Issue: 13 August 2026

- Vacancy Closure Date: 21 August 2026

- National or International consultancy: National consultancy

To review the full Terms of Reference (TOR), please follow link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/180nQXdpSt2ss09980MZKPVJs8ur66Uvh/view

Background

Lebanon is experiencing a constantly evolving multi-layered crisis which is exacerbating long-term structural vulnerabilities and inequalities, leading to acute and increasingly visible humanitarian needs among the most vulnerable populations. Lebanon continues to face a protracted economic and financial crisis, which has been compounded by the aftershocks of conflict in late 2024, further undermining the food security of Lebanese residents and refugee populations. While hyperinflation has softened from its previous peaks, persistently high food prices remain a primary driver of food insecurity. As of September 2025, the year-on-year food inflation rate stood at 23.9%. Along with inflation, currency depreciation, income losses, damaged infrastructure, and significant cuts to humanitarian food assistance continue to negatively impact the capacity of different population groups to access food. According to the latest Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, it was projected that between July and October 2025, about 1.24 million people (including Lebanese, Syrian refugees, and Palestine refugees) would face acute food insecurity and be classified in IPC Phase 3 or above (Crisis or worse). This corresponds to 23% of the analyzed population, an increase from the 19% recorded in the October 2023 – March 2024 period. This crisis has disproportionately affected the agricultural sector, exposing a systemic vulnerability: Lebanon's critical over-reliance on expensive, imported agricultural inputs, especially wheat seeds. This import dependency strains national food security, reduces farmer resilience, and hinders access to locally adapted, high-yield seed varieties. The Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI), the public institution mandated to produce certified seeds, is a critical national asset for food sovereignty. However, its national seed program has stalled due to a lack of public financing, creating a critical gap in the domestic food system. Within the framework of the Food Security Project, UNDP aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI) to enhance its operational efficiency, management systems, and service delivery. Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager (Food Security), the Agricultural consultant, will be primarily responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring, supervising and coordinating field level activities related to the multiplication of certified wheat. The TFA is also expected to establish strong coordination mechanisms as well as linkages between stakeholders and beneficiaries to ensure that program activities and projects are implemented successfully.

Scope of work, responsibilities and description of the proposed analytical work

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager (Food Security), the national consultant will perform the following functions: - In close coordination with the designated LARI centers' directors and contractors, oversee the procurement and distribution of the specific equipment and machinery needed for the proper implementation of the seed multiplication program; - Follow-up with key stakeholders and contractors on all activities related to the rehabilitation of LARI’s infrastructure including but not limited to irrigation systems, solar energy component, lab equipment provision, greenhouses rehabilitation, silosconstruction, etc...). - Monitor and coordinate with key stakeholders and partners the initiation of all activities related to the consecutive growing seasons (such as land plowing and reclamation, sowing of seeds, irrigation, regular cultural activities, etc.) in a timely manner; - Maintain close coordination with implementing partners for all activities supporting MSMEs, cooperatives, start-ups, and farmers; - Provide assistance contractor working on the value chain assessment. - Support and monitor grant and in-kind assistance to various beneficiaries; - Conduct regular field visits to assess and monitor the progress of wheat production at different LARI centers and specialized farmers level to provide technical assistance on good agricultural practices, as well as on risk mitigation and overcoming any challenges they might face during the production seasons; - Support the development and maintenance of collaborative relations with all relevant partners such as the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), among others; - Submit regular reports on the progress achieved in the implementation of various activities in a timely manner; - Actively participate in all meetings, workshops, conferences related to the project; - Support M&E requirements, by keeping accurate records and archives of all projects/activities, including financial records, data, photos, reports, correspondence and minutes with respective partners. Expected Outputs and Deliverables The Consultant shall submit a monthly technical progress report summarizing all activities under the TOR undertaking during the reporting period, noting that the total duration should not exceed 3 months (number of working days should not exceed 18 working days per month). Institutional arrangement - The consultant will work under the supervision of the UNDP Food Security Project Manager or their designated representative. - UNDP will be responsible for providing the consultant with all necessary materials related to the