Governance Adviser

View Vacancy – G7, Governance Adviser, Green Growth Group, British Embassy Kathmandu

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

Job Category:  Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Programme Roles)

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities) 

About FCDO:

How we approach our work is important. The How We Work Statement (below) sets out the ambition we share across the FCDO for how we lead and behave towards each other, how we make decisions, and how we get the job done. Some aspects may be particularly relevant to this role.

• We put respect and kindness first. We are inclusive, we get to know each other, and value our diversity and the contribution we each bring. We are fair, act with integrity, and tackle inequality and unacceptable behaviour. We work together and take responsibility to solve problems.
• We draw on the expertise, insight and diverse perspectives of people across the FCDO, HMG, and beyond. We use the best available data and evidence. We are open to challenge and take a sustainable, long-term approach. We are transparent about the rationale for decisions and smart about taking and managing risks.
• We are agile and alert to emerging opportunities. We encourage learning, innovation and use of data and digital. We are all clear on what we are expected to deliver and support each other in doing so. We look to reduce duplication and unnecessary process. We are committed to transforming both the FCDO and the way HMG delivers international policy.

Description of the Embassy and team:

The British Embassy Kathmandu (BEK) leads the UK’s relationship with Nepal including diplomatic engagement, defense co-operation, development support, and trade.

The BEK Country Plan has five campaign goals for 2023-2025:

• The UK, will support a more open and democratic society in Nepal resulting in more representative, inclusive and effective governance at all three levels of government.
• Our recruitment of Gurkhas to the British Army will strengthen UK security, and our support to capable security and rule of law institutions that protect the rights of all people will strengthen Nepal’s stability.
• The UK’s partnership will support Nepal’s transition to sustainable lower-middle income country (LMIC) status through facilitating inclusive and greener growth, increased investment and more open trade that provides opportunities for UK firms.
• Through UK influence and support, Nepal will implement the ambitious climate targets adopted at COP26 that will reduce emissions, build resilience, and put Nepal on a path to a green recovery.
• The UK promotes girls’ education and the rights of women and girls in Nepal.

Work in these five areas is underpinned by cross-cutting outcomes on federalism, inclusion, and data and strategic learning.

Nepal is a key country in the Indo-Pacific Tilt, and BEK’s work is being prioritised as part of this agenda. You will become part of a collegial Embassy team, and be responsible for a rewarding, engaging and transformational portfolio of work.

The Green Growth Group – within which this postholder will sit – includes our economics and private sector ODA portfolio, the UK-Nepal British trade, investment and prosperity work and the UK’s engagement on climate and resilience. The Governance Adviser will be line managed by the Group Head.

The Adviser will further coordinate and work closely with the Governance Team that is part of the Governance and Social Development Group, the Evidence and Knowledge Team and the Politics and Partnerships Team.

This position will establish and maintain relationships for technical guidance and support with the FCDO governance cadre, and relevant teams and staff from FCDO’s UK headquarters.

Main purpose of job:

Main purpose of this Country Based Staff (CBS) position is to serve as Grade 7 Governance Adviser (GA) for the the British Embassy Kathmandu. The role will lead governance advice on BEK’s support to green growth, private sector development, and climate change and resilience. The Adviser will provide strategic and technical governance advice across other areas of BEK’s governance and development work, including Public Financial Management reform, GESI, federalism and/or anti-corruption. The adviser will further be engaging externally with state and non-state actors with a specific focus on provincial and local government level in Madesh, Lumbini and Karnali provinces.

Key responsibilities:

The job holder will be responsible for:

• Leading on governance advice to UK’s economic development and investment promotion in Nepal, especially in relation to BEK’s Green Growth Nepal and Nepal in Business programmes.
• Leading on governance advice to UK’s work on tackling climate change and strengthening climate and disaster resilience and shock responsive social protection systems in Nepal, especially in relation to BEK’s pipeline Resilience, Adaptation and Inclusion (RAIN) programme
• Leading governance analysis and advice to understand the institutional and political barriers and drivers for more inclusive and green growth, private sector development and systems strengthening especially in light of Nepal’s middle-income transition and the ongoing implementation of federalism.
• In coordination with the PFM Governance Adviser provide governance advice on of Government of Nepal’s governance and PFM systems and capacity, to influence and steer BEK’s engagement on PFM reforms; and
• Lead advice on opportunities to support politically smart, locally led anti-corruption work and advising on BEK’s approach on anti-corruption.

About you:

This is a stretching and exiciting position that requires a creative, knowledgeable and pro-active governance adviser with a deep understanding of Nepal’s political dynamics (state, non-state and the private sector) and governance constraints and opportunities for Nepal’s economic development.

He/she must have enthusiasm and authority to effectively support and influence engagement across the Embassy and to build an extended network of contacts within the private sector and across the Government of Nepal at the federal, provincial and local levels; Civil Society Organizations and expert organisations; international development partners to help address and coordinate effective design; delivery and monitoring of development programmes and policy influencing.

Key behaviours required for the job:

Behaviour 1: Seeing the big picture Behaviour 2: Leadership
Behaviour 3: Communicating and influencing Behaviour 4: Delivering at pace

Details of which can be found at:
Civil Service Behaviours

Key Technical Competencies for the job:

We need someone who will be able to show strong demonstration of the application of the Governance Cadre technical competencies: at ‘expert level’.

• Governance Core Competency: Applied Governance and Political Economy Analysis
• Governance Specialist Competency: Inclusive Growth and Economic Development
• Governance Specialist Competency: Public Financial Management and Domestic Revenue Mobilisation
• Governance Specialist Competency: Anti-Corruption and Illicit Finance

Details of which can be found at:
the Technical Competency Framework for the Governance Cadre of FCDO.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience 1

Essential on arrival:
Demonstration of expertise and working experience on governance, including, but not limited to applied political economy analysis and Inclusive Growth and Economic Development.

A strong demonstration of the application of the Governance Cadre technical competencies: at ‘expert level’ (desirable), ‘practioner level’ (essential).

Including:

• Governance Core Competency: Applied Governance and Political Economy Analysis
• Governance Specialist Comptency: Inclusive Growth and Economic Development
• Governance Specialist Competency: Public Financial Management and Domestic Revenue Mobilisation
• Governance Specialist Competency: Anti-Corruption and Illicit Finance

Details of which can be found at:
the Technical Competency Framework for the Governance Cadre of FCDO.

The successful applicant will receive L&D support to accredit to the FCDO Governance Cadre.

We are looking for someone with:

• Strong experience as a governance adviser advising on and delivering ODA programmes in collaboration with host governments, the private sector and other development partners.
• Proven ability to work across multiple areas in a flexible manner, identifying priorities and opportunities as they evolve.
• Strong communication and influencing skills and a track record of being able to effectively influence policy and programmes across a larger organisation and in networks with partners.
• Robust knowledge of private sector and/or climate change/disaster resilience issues in developing countries and Nepal, including the political-economy of private sector reform.
• Appreciation of 1HMG objectives for inclusive and green economic growth and private sector work in developing countries, and an understanding of a coherent and complementary approach.
• Experience of engaging on policy development, whilst coordinating with multiple stakeholders across a larger organisation and with external stakeholders.

Language requirements: this role will require fluency in Nepali and a strong comand of written and spoken English

Language: Nepali and English

Level of language required: Fluent

Required behaviours
Seeing the Big Picture, Delivering at Pace, Leadership, Communicating and Influencing

Application deadline: 13 October 2023
Grade: Grade 7 (G7)
Type of Position: Fixed Term, Full-time
Duration of Post: 36 months
Region: South Asia & Afghanistan
Country/Territory: Nepal
Location (City): Kathmandu
Type of Post: British Embassy
Number of vacancies: 1
Salary Currency: NPR
Salary: 344182
Start Date: 1 October 2023

Other benefits and conditions of employment

The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to increments and staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance.

Around half of our work forces are women. We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.

This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCDO has anywhere across the globe. We are aiming to make it the best.

Learning and development opportunities : British Embassy Kathmandu offers continuous learning and development opportunities both in Nepal and abroad.

Work Pattern: This is a full- time role.

Additional information

Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details and the behavioural questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.’’

For BHC candidates, the Local BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.

For other than BHC candidates, Basic Salary will be NPR 344182/- Monthly Salary

To ensure a successful application it is important that you explain how you demonstrate these behaviours, including through your experience. You are strongly advised to read the Success Profiles Civil Service Behaviours Framework, which provides detailed guidance on how the behaviours are defined and the standards expected for this position.

Please go through the technical competency framework before completing the technical questions: FCDO technical competency frameworks – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Applicants are encouraged to use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format to prepare specific examples of when they have demonstrated these behaviours in their application. Using the STAR format to provide evidence of your skills and experience in your application and at interview helps to give a structure. You briefly describe the situation in which you showed the behaviour, and then explain your task in addressing the situation, what action you took and the result of this.

For inclusivity and diversity, please remove the following personal information when uploading your CV: name, address, email address, age, date of birth, gender, and nationality.
The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.

To Apply:
Please note applications without (a) and (b) will not be considered.

A. Complete the Online Application Form
B. Complete the Motivation and Competency Segment in the Online Application Form

Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable) and also inform their current line managers, else the applications will not be considered.
We will accept only online applications by 13th October 2023 -23:55 hours NST).
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted within 2 months of the application deadline, and no telephone/email enquires regarding the status of application will be dealt with. Basis the scores, the candidate/s who did not score as highly as the successful candidate, might be placed on the reserve list. If during the reserve period of 12 months, the same or largely similar role becomes available, the role may be offered to the second or subsequent appointable candidates.
Please note that all the applicants will be required to strictly adhere to the security guidelines for British High Commission.
Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.

The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, medical, educational and professional.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

Tagged as: Advisor, British Embassy, Kathmandu