Website Swisscontact Nepal
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Swisscontact, established in 1959 in Switzerland, is a leading partner organization for the implementation of international development projects. The organization promotes inclusive economic, social, and ecological development to make an effective contribution towards sustainable and widespread prosperity in developing and emerging economies. It strengthens the competencies of people, improving their employability, increases the competitiveness of enterprises, growing their business, and fosters social and economic systems, promoting inclusive development.
Swisscontact, registered as an International Non-Governmental Organization has been operating in Nepal since 1991. Currently, Swisscontact Nepal has six development programmes across all seven provinces.
The Nepal Agricultural Market Development Programme (NAMDP), Phase II (December 2020 to November 2024), also known as Sahaj, operates under a bilateral agreement between the Government of Nepal and the Government of Switzerland. Sahaj is a Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) project, implemented by a consortium of Swisscontact (as the lead agency) and the Center for Environmental and Agricultural Policy Research, Extension and Development (CEAPRED). The programme focuses on the Koshi Province. Sahaj follows a market systems approach, which includes facilitation between market actors, as well as financial and technical support for improved access to services and innovation of agri-business in The Koshi Province. Public-private partnerships between municipalities and private sector actors, as well as an enabling policy framework for services and innovation in the Koshi Province’s agricultural market system are central elements of Sahaj. The promotion of Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) as well as
Federal State Building (FSD) are transversal themes. The Sahaj portfolio will increase demand for smallholders’ produce, including them in value-added supply chains, and building resilience in rural communities through higher employment and income.
For the remaining period of Sahaj’s Phase II, Swisscontact is looking for an experienced and committed team leader.
Team Leader (1)
Location: Biratnagar or Kathmandu, Nepal, with at least 50% of the time in Koshi Province. Preference is given to candidates willing to be stationed primarily in the project office in Biratnagar.
Reports to: Country Director, Swisscontact Nepal
Time: 100% (8 hours a day and 5 days a week)
Duration: One year with the possibility of extension
Purpose of the Job
The Team Leader is responsible for the overall coherence of the Programme as well as the programme performance in line with the guidelines and targets outlined in the Programme Document and the Yearly Plans of Operation approved by SDC. She/he leads a team of 39 staff. The Team Leader acts on behalf of Swisscontact towards SDC as well as towards external agencies including government authorities especially Ministry of Industry, Agriculture and Cooperative, Koshi Province; private sector partners, development projects etc. The Team Leader decides and takes necessary steps for optimal achievement of programme objectives. In case of fundamental matters, the Team Leader consults with the Country Director.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
The Team Leader will be expected to be responsible for the program outcomes, and the operations of the Project
Facilitation Unit (PFU) team. Her/his responsibilities include:
1. Programme cycle management:
- Provide dynamic, strategic leadership and direction for the programme. He/she is responsible for guiding and adapting programme interventions towards outcomes and impacts, thereby following the programme’s theory of change and meeting the targets and objectives set forth in the log frame.
- Develop Yearly Plan of Operation (YPO) in close coordination with provincial government and SDC.
- Ensure the delivery of good quality reports (monthly, semi-annual and annual), including precise presentation of results, critical reflection of outcomes and outputs achieved, and adaptive measures to be taken; based on reports and analysis.
- Ensures GESI, FSD and environmental aspects are well-integrated into the programme.
- Capitalizes programme’s experiences and contributes to the further learning and development of concepts within the context of the programme document.
- Provide strategic and technical leadership in programme decision making, particularly on sectors, policies, market systems, investments and partnerships, and effectively oversee the delivery of the programme activities in an effective and efficient manner.
- Ensures the programme is well-prepared for all external and internal reviews and audits (programme and financial).
- Manage programme administration according to Swisscontact’s and the programme’s internal regulations and procedures.
- Ensures effective financial management, budgeting (forecasting, planning), internal control, and external audit of the project.
2. Leading the programme team:
- Lead the overall programme team of 39 staff. By building a strong team, she/he assures coherence regarding concepts and implementation throughout the Programme.
3. Stakeholder engagement:
- Ensure involvement of the stakeholders through a consultative process in intervention designing and implementation.
- Represent the programme towards internal and external stakeholders, establish and maintain collaboration with responsible authorities in the Government of Nepal on federal, provincial and local spheres specifically with the Ministry of Industry Agriculture and Cooperative of the Koshi province, private sector, other partner organizations, national and international development agencies, etc. regarding all matters of programme and Swisscontact’s interests.
- Maintain effective working relationship with the donor by providing timely information on all relevant programme matters according to agreed procedures.
- Develop and fosters contacts with public and private institutions and individuals involved in the field of private sector development with emphasis on market systems development at federal, province and local levels for design and replicability of interventions across market system.
4. In addition, the Team Leader, in close cooperation with the Country Director, performs the following specific tasks:
- Establishes and maintains structures and instruments for planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the programme using an adaptive project management approach.
- Prepares and conducts regular meetings with SDC.
- Develops an appropriate modus operandi of the Swisscontact internal knowledge sharing from and to Sahaj.
- Plans and implements recruitment and development measures for programme employees.
- Leads innovations in programme through new products and approaches.
Adheres to the communication guidelines of SDC while communicating at sub-national, national and international level.
Key Competencies
- Minimum 10 years of leadership and management of large and complex projects in the field of market systems development, private sector development, value chain development or economic policy change.
- Sound knowledge of the Nepali political, economic and social context and agricultural sector. Strong understanding of the Nepali constitution and sensitivity of the rights and responsibilities of the three tiers of government in agricultural and economic development, as well as for the constraints and opportunities in regard to GESI.
- Proven ability to effectively manage multidisciplinary teams.
- Innovation leader and entrepreneurial with a passion for driving the growth and impact of ventures in emerging markets.
- Natural facilitator, with the confidence to drive a big team and engage with a wide variety of stakeholders. Proven track record of building networks and strong relationships with donors and government counterparts.
- Experience of working with the public sector at all levels to ease policy bottlenecks, preferably for the commercialization of the agriculture sector.
- Proven strategic and systemic thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent management, communication, and organizational skills.
- Excellent English language skills; Nepali language skills is desired.
Conditions and Environment
- This will be applicable in accordance with the Swisscontact Staff Manual.
Application Procedures:
Please submit an online job application form clicking link below.
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/8226f68dd7144136a7a1c280129eb3c7
Deadline: Latest by 11:59 PM Nepali time on April 17, 2023.
Swisscontact Nepal shall not entertain any phone inquiries or other such solicitations for the position. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the selection process. Swisscontact Nepal reserves the right to reject any or all applications.
Swisscontact Nepal promotes workforce diversity and applies positive discrimination to candidates from discriminated groups (Women, Dalit, Janajati, Madhesi/Terai and other minority communities