Technical Director

Technical Director, Nepal USDA/ Food for Progress Activity (FFPr)

Job Category: Program Management
Requisition Number: TECHN005871
Location: Kathmandu

Job Details

Description

Summary

Save the Children is seeking a Technical Director for an anticipated five-year USDA-funded Food for Progress (FFPr) program in Nepal. The Food for Progress program helps developing countries and emerging democracies modernize and strengthen their agricultural sectors. This project is intended to increase productivity and competitiveness of the Aquaculture value chain in Nepal working with small holder farmers and relevant private and public sector actors.

Through the Food for Progress (FFPr) program, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will continue its work in food security by assisting farmers to increase their income through diversification, stronger market linkages, and adoption of exceptional agricultural practices. The overall goal is to address food security through improvements in the aquaculture value chain by 1) incorporating climate smart technologies, 2) improving end market linkages and income for farmers, 3) increase access to finance for farmers to expand trade of agricultural products, and 4) strengthen the public and private sector.

This technical leadership position will provide overall strategic direction in the design, management, implementation, and overall quality assurance of the project. The Technical Director will oversee a team of technical staff and will report directly to the Chief of Party (COP). The Technical Director will be responsible for ensuring the coherence of the program technical approach and will collaborate with relevant Government of Nepal (GoN) line ministries and other critical partners to provide high-level support for effective cooperation at the national, provincial and local level. H/She will also be directly responsible for ensuring that program activities with consortium partners and private sector stakeholders are well integrated and meet the quality standards set by Save the Children. As the project is expected to align with the objectives of the Government of Nepal (GoN), the Technical Director will also provide support to ensure all activities support in-country priorities, complement existing initiatives, and include plans for sustainability.

The position is contingent on Save the Children being awarded the project by USDA.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• In collaboration with the COP, ensure that the program is delivered according to the contractual requirement with the donor and government of Nepal, that all activities and deliverables are completed within the agreed timescale and budget, reports are submitted as per agreed schedules, and any other requirements or criteria are fulfilled.
• Work with program staff and Save the Children technical team based in the country office to identify the tactical support needs of the program and ensure this support is provided.
• Design and regularly update detailed annual work plans and ensure these are used by the team appropriately to monitor progress towards completion and achievement of program objectives.
• Ensure all program work is of the highest technical quality and in line with national and global best practices for improved nutrition outcomes.
• Ensure that programmatic reports for donors, government, and Save the Children are prepared as required, ensuring these are of the highest quality and submitted in a timely manner to the donor. Be fully aware of the grant compliance regulations of Save the Children as well as USDA.
• Assist with the preparation and revision of a realistic budget, authorizing and monitoring expenditure in line with the budget, donor guidelines, and Save the Children’s grant management and financial regulations.
• Guide partners in the preparation of annual plans for funding, commodities, and human resources. Manage and motivate direct reports to achieve their work plan objectives based on technical expertise, and to contribute to the achievement of the overall program goals.
• In collaboration with the technical teams, establish systems and processes for the periodic review of implementation across the project implementing areas and facilitate necessary mid-course corrections.
• Maintain good working relationships with officials, government ministries, implementing partners and the international and local NGO community.
• Support and coordinate with the M&E team in monitoring implementation, analysis progress, use service statistics, and other data for decision-making and improving program performance.
• Monitor country-level activities, identify challenges, and develop appropriate reporting and results of project activities to the COP, including progress and annual reports.
• Attending and actively participating in periodic program meetings and ensure a summary of progress and challenges are prepared and presented with follow-up actions as required.

Required Qualifications

• Post-graduate education (Master’s or higher) and including aquaculture, agriculture, or a , Ph.D. level is preferred.
• Deep expertise in aquaculture sector preferably in Nepal or Asia with demonstrated familiarity with key stakeholders relevant to the sector.
• Minimum of seven years of experience in providing technical guidance for agriculture and/or food security programs that include the aquaculture sector in Asia.
• Senior level technical leadership experience in programs of similar size and scope in a development context, ideally in Nepal, preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government representatives across different sectoral ministries, universities, private sector entities, local community organizations, donors, and other stakeholders, particularly at the sub-national level.
• Familiarity with the social, political, economic, and cultural landscape of Nepal.
• Proven success serving in a leadership role for a project addressing issues related to food security, aquaculture, nutrition, resilience, agriculture, natural resource management, livelihoods, or similar, preferably in Nepal.
• Previous work experience working in Nepal and technical expertise in food, nutrition, and agriculture, preferably within the aquaculture sector.
• In-depth knowledge of USDA’s Food for Progress (FFPr) approaches and regulations.
• Creative problem-solving skills with the ability to work effectively in resource-constrained environments is important.
• Experience with United States of Agriculture (USDA) policies and regulations are preferred.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.

Why you should join the Save the Children Team…

Save the Children US offers outstanding benefits that include health, dental, vision and life insurances, pet insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, an Employee Assistance Program, 403(b), generous vacation, personal sick leave, family leave, parental/adoption leave, commuter benefits, dress for your day, and much more.

Click here to learn more about how Save the Children US will invest in YOU!

About Save the Children:

No matter your role when you join Save the Children, each and every day you will challenge yourself to devote your skills, talent and expertise to changing the world for kids. It’s an ambitious goal, and a meaningful one no matter how you see yourself professionally: an accountant, a writer, a data analyst, a teacher, a driver, a designer, or any one of the hundreds of dozens of roles we’re looking to fill every day.

You see, Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

Our work for children and their families requires that we commit—at every opportunity—to work together to identify and dismantle persistent systemic and structural racism, inequality, and any other forms of discrimination in this country and beyond.  As an anti-racist organization, Save the Children will not tolerate discrimination in any form—in our employment practices, amongst our staff, in our leadership or toward the people we serve. We stand in solidarity with all people to fight for equal rights, justice, inclusion, and belonging. 

We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Save the Children complies with all applicable laws. 

Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom we are in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse. In addition, it is Save the Children’s policy to create and proactively maintain an environment that aims to prevent and deter any actions and omissions, whether deliberate or inadvertent, that place children at the risk of any kind of child abuse. All our representatives are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with this commitment and obligation.  

Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks for our valued employees, ensuring all are given training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact of our programs for children and families. Our shared duty, both agency and individual, is to seek and maintain safe working conditions for all. 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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