Program Officer- Inter Government Coordinatior

Reintegration of Returnee Migrant Workers (ReMi) Project, Phase I

Reintegration of Returnee Migrant Workers (ReMi) project is a bilateral initiative of Governments of Nepal and Switzerland. The project contributes to the social and economic reintegration of returnee migrant workers in Nepal. The project is implemented by Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security; provincial line ministries and local governments in Koshi and Madhesh Provinces (visit https://remi.org.np for more information). Helvetas Nepal as Technical Assistance provider to the project invites applications from committed and experienced Nepali citizens for the following positions:

Program Officer- Inter Government Coordination – 1 position(s) – Open for All

Duty Station : ReMi Province Project Support Unit, Koshi Province

Job Description

Job purpose: This position is responsible to:

•  Support province and local governments to implement the project in close collaboration with Employment Service Centres and support them to develop and implement reintegration strategies/guidelines, yearly plans of operation, and allocate funds for social and economic reintegration of returnee migrant workers in a coordinated manner.
• Support to overall management of the project for the accomplishment of project objectives and targets as stipulated in the project document,
• Support project monitoring, evaluation, documentation, and reporting.
•  Support mobilization and capacity building of network/cooperatives to provide sustained reintegration services to returnee migrant workers, their families, and their respective communities.

Compliance to policies, rules/regulations, and guidelines

• Adhere to relevant policies, procedures, regulations and guidelines of HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation (Code of Conduct; NPR-Nepal; Finance Manual; Security Response Guide; Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Guide; Mobbing, Sexual Harassment & Abuse of Authority; Code of Conduct Against Corruption etc.) and other specific policies applicable for ReMi;
• Ensure Conflict Sensitive Programme Management at all levels;
• Ensure compliance of all the terms and conditions agreed between HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation Nepal and the donor.

Roles and Responsibilities

Specific roles and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Project management and implementation (Primary focus)

• Under guidance of Economic or Social Reintegration Specialist, provide technical support to provincial and local governments in preparing and implementing annual plans relevant for economic and social reintegration issues.
•  Facilitate coordination and capacity building of concerned Province government, local governments and local service providers through training, coaching, mentoring for strengthening reintegration services.
•  Facilitate concerned province government, local governments, and local service providers to develop yearly plan and ensure its’ effective implementation.
• Facilitate for timely project implementation committee (PIC) and project steering committee (PSC) meetings and follow up on the decisions made to achieve project’s outputs and outcomes.
• Advocate with province and local government to organize inter-ministerial meetings at province level and develop migration/reintegration policies and guidelines; advocate to mainstream migration & reintegration related program in their periodic planning, medium term expenditure framework and annual budget, and for its effective implementation.\
• Capacitate EIC to establish data management system in province government and engage with non-government and private sector actors for employment opportunities and/or psychosocial support services for returnee migrant workers.
• Closely work with Employment Service Centres and relevant government stakeholders to provide coordinated and need- based economic and social reintegration services to returnee migrant workers.
•  Support to strengthening returnee migrant networks in different (Settlement, LG and PG) levels.
•  Contribute to timely and quality periodic progress reporting, knowledge management and dissemination of the project’s experiences and learnings at local levels.
• Ensure adherence of good governance practices in planning, implementation, and monitoring of project activities at local levels.

2. Finance, Administration and Human Resource Management

• Coordinate with Finance officer to support on administration and financial management of the provincial office as per HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation Nepal’s and donor’s requirement.
• Contribute to preparing annual budgets for local governments including yearly plans of operation and allocate funds for social and economic reintegration in a coordinated manner.
• Support on fund flow to local governments and coordinate for collecting/compiling project expenditures, audit reports and take necessary action to ensure that expenses stay within acceptable limits with timely manner.
•  Support to reflect the ReMi budget allocation as appropriate in the national and sub-national budgetary system.
• Support the local government for relevant staff selection.

3. Coordination, Representation and Networking

• Coordinate with local governments, labour and employment section and related thematic committees and other related stakeholders.
• Coordinate with private sector and other development partners to strengthen referral pathways in coordination with EIC and reintegration coordinator.
• Establish and foster collaboration with private sector, migrant resource centre, returnees’ networks, cooperatives, financial institutions related SDC and Helvetas projects at local level, aiming sustained economic and social reintegration support.
• Backstop relevant ESC staffs to liaise with concerned stakeholders.
• Participate in and contribute to relevant cluster workshops, sharing forums, meetings, and exchanges.

4. Other Specific Responsibilities

• Perform other tasks requested by the Reintegration Specialists.
• Be proactive in bringing innovations and taking new initiatives into the programme and the organization.

Job Requirements

A. Minimum Education Attainment: Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, economics, development cooperation or in any relevant discipline.
B. Minimum Professional Experience: Minimum 3 years of working experience in collaborating with local and provincial government actors for implementation of social, economic and/or human rights development projects/ programs. Demonstrated experience working with local governments including Employment Service Centers (ESCs), Migration Resource Centers (MRCs), and/or with returnee migrants, will be an added value. Prior work experience at the federal, provincial or local level Government system and or in labor migration sector will be an advantage.

C. Required Competencies:

• Good understanding on Nepal Governing structure, roles, and responsibilities of all three tiers of government, including intergovernmental relations act, labor and employment policy, reintegration directive.
•  Sound understanding on policy and act formulation process in province and local level.
• Experience of working with Local Governments, NGOs, CBOs, private sector and community networks, in federalized context, providing technical assistance to government and in policy advocacy.
• Knowledge and experience working on human rights, migration and foreign employment related issues is an advantage.
• Ability to train and coach service providers, Employment Service Centers, returnee migrant networks, community groups and staff members of partners.
• Experience in project cycle management including program planning, budgeting, reporting, and monitoring.
• Strong social skills for collaboration with government agencies (including on policy development), with the private sector and civil society, and ability to link various actors and institutions.
•  Commitment towards gender equality, social inclusion, and poverty reduction.
• Fluency and Proficiency in writing and speaking in Nepali, English, and local language.
• IT: Proficiency in using office application software.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively to project locations.

Duration: Till 15th July 2026 (with possibility of extension).

Salary and Benefits: As per the rules and regulation of Helvetas Nepal.

Application Procedures: Interested candidates who meet above requirements are requested to visit our website at http://apply.helvetas.org.np and submit application through online portal. Detail job descriptions are available on the website.

Telephonic inquiries and/or attempts to apply undue influence will result in the disqualification of candidates from the selection process. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the selection process. Helvetas Nepal reserves the right to reject any or all applications without assigning any reasons.

Helvetas Nepal promotes workforce diversity and applies positive discrimination to candidates from discriminated groups (women, Dalit, Janajati, Madhesi/Terai, and other minority communities).

Deadline for submission of application: 6th May 2024

Tagged as: Helvetas Nepal, Koshi Pradesh, NGO INGO, Program Officer