Policy, Advocacy, and Research Officer

Position: Policy, Advocacy, and Research Officer

No. of Positions: 1
Type: Fixed-term contract till December 2023 with a possibility of extension
Location: Lalitpur ( (with frequent visits to project sites and international travel as per requirements)

NIDWAN strives to promote the rights of indigenous women and girls with disabilities so that they can live their life with full dignity and respect on an equal basis with others. NIDWAN has a regular development activities program, and development delivery including inclusive humanitarian action, and development research, study, documentation, and publication. In order to efficiently deliver and manage these programs, NIDWAN is looking for a competent candidate for the position of Policy, Advocacy, and Research Officer.

Detailed duties and responsibilities

• Conduct research and studies, carry out policy analysis, and design and develop advocacy interventions on the issues of disability, gender, and indigeneity from the intersectional framework that matters to indigenous women and girls with disabilities with a principle of equality and nondiscrimination.
• Influence and partner with stakeholders to develop and implement policy and advocacy strategies aligned with NIDWAN’s strategic plan
• Collaborate with likeminded stakeholders to develop advocacy initiatives that support the right to self-determination, individual autonomy, and choices of indigenous women and girls with disabilities
• Collaborate with concerned stakeholders to reduce violence and discrimination against indigenous women and men, girls and boys, and other indigenous persons with disabilities from LGBTIQ+ communities by creating inclusive and affirming spaces and promoting acceptance in both private and public spheres
• Develop policy briefs with policy options and recommendations on issues like climate change, disability-inclusive disaster risks reduction, social protection, local governance, disability-responsive budgeting, disability-inclusive social protection, and disability-inclusive development interventions that affect the indigenous women and girls with disabilities so as to inform and influence policymakers, decision-makers, and planners
• Prepare submissions and position papers outlining the organization’s position on relevant pieces of policy, legislation and relevant thematic issues
• Convene meetings with key decision-makers to dialogue around reforms needed to improve the supporting and enabling environment for indigenous women and girls with disabilities
• Coordinate capacity building interventions (sensitization sessions, trainings) for key duty-bearers, CSOs, and the NIDWAN’s provincial networks
• Develop and implement advocacy toolkits focused on NIDWAN’s core areas
• Remain informed and responsive in strategy and communication to policy developments that impact the sector and present opportunities for indigenous women and girls with disabilities to take a leadership position
• Measure the effectiveness of policy work/initiatives; define and lead change to meet objectives
• Build partnerships with various advocacy networks across the country, region, and internationally as well as with relevant staff in various local organisations
• Participate in committees, technical working groups and other fora to influence human rights issues, programmes, policies
• Effectively collaborate with NIDWAN’s executive board, secretariat, provincial networks, program teams to enable and facilitate indigenous women and girls with disabilities positioning across its core areas of focus and increase engagement of stakeholders through the strategic use of diverse media platforms
• Provide content for key communications material including website, newsletters and annual report
• Participate in team meetings, the development of strategic and operational work plans and other internal processes as required
• Evaluate programmes, policy and legislation to improve the organisation’s knowledge base for continuous improvement
• Manages projects that fund NIDWAN’s policy, advocacy, and research work including liaising with donors and ensuring that objectives and expenditure targets are being achieved
• Prepare reports for the relevant donors as stipulated by grant agreements in consultation with the Executive Director and Program Manager.
• Prepare and submit event reports outlining achievements for the relevant reporting period to the Program Manager copying to the Executive Director for review and usage.

Qualification and experience requirements:

• Master’s degree with a minimum of 3-5 years or bachelor’s degree with 5-7 years of experience with an academic background in either Law, Social Science, Development Studies, or Disability Studies.
• Prior work experience in disability, gender, and indigenous issues, or other minorities and most excluded communities.
• Demonstrated experiences in policy analysis, research studies, and advocacy initiatives.
• Self-organized, strong interpersonal, planning, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to forge mutually respectful, trusting, and effective relationships with a diverse group of staff, community leaders, and decision-makers.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitation, communication, and interpersonal skills with strong written and spoken communications skills in English and Nepali language for report writing and documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and operate strategically, work effectively within a diverse team, and have strong negotiation and collaboration skills.
• Strong network with various Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, governmental, nongovernmental, civil society, human rights actors, and national and international development actors, and judiciary mechanisms.
• Willingness to travel in the field, even in remote areas and in international meetings when required.
• Ability to maintain balance and perspective and a proactive “can do” attitude that can motivate others.

This position is targeted at qualified indigenous women and girls with/out disabilities. However, NIDWAN equally encourages women and girls with/out disabilities from most marginalized and excluded groups to apply.

Application Procedure:

Please send your recently updated CV along with your motivation letter (not more than one page) clearly mentioning your salary expectation at nidwan.vacancy@gmail.com no later than January 21, 2023, before the closing of the business.

Tagged as: Lalitpur, NGO INGO, Research Officer