Introduction

This position is under the UN Joint Programme “Empowered Women, Prosperous Nepal” (EWPN), which is funded by the European Union and implemented by ILO, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UN Women.

This Joint Programme (JP) represents a strategic contribution to the achievement of gender equality in Nepal. The programme seeks to address key drivers of gender inequality in Nepal through an integrated gender transformative approach - addressing formal and informal barriers that women and girls confront with. It focusses on (1) ensuring that women and girls, in all their diversity, are safe, valued and have increased voice to challenge and transform harmful social norm; (2) women, men, girls and boys, in all their diversity, increasingly enjoy their equal economic, labour and social rights; and (3) institutions deliver gender equality outcomes in all spheres, in line with international and national normative frameworks. The programme has been running in three provinces: Madhesh, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim.

The ILO interventions revolve primarily around women economic empowerment component, including decent work for women and other vulnerable groups in the agriculture sector, particularly. More specifically, they include actions on women entrepreneurship creation and development, care economy, social protection, formalization and building of sustainable institutional and policy environments to allow for women economic empowerment and gender equality in the world of work.

The Technical Specialist for Inclusive Growth will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the programme implementation by the ILO and ensure synergies with other implementing partners to maximize the impact of the programme. He/she will make sure that the objectives set in the project document are attained within the stated timeframe and budget and ensure compliance with the ILO programmatic and operational procedures. The incumbent will promote ILO mandate in project related technical areas and coordinate with other ILO interventions implemented in the country.

The incumbent will be responsible for the implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the programme. He/she will supervise the programme implementation at federal, local and provincial levels as required.

The Technical Specialist will be based in CO-Kathmandu, will supervise national staff at federal and provincial levels and work in close collaboration with other members of the staff members in the Country Office.

Reporting lines:

The Technical Specialist will work under the supervision of the ILO Country Director for Nepal with technical backstopping by relevant specialists from the Decent Work Team for South Asia and Country Office for India, HQ branches and departments, and Regional Office for Asia and Pacific (ROAP), as required. More specifically, the incumbent will work with specialists on Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination, Enterprise development (with focus on women entrepreneurship), Social Protection, Social Dialogue, Workers’ and Employers’ Activities, etc.

Description of Duties

1. Ensure effective implementation of the programme through accurate planning, control, monitoring and evaluation of the programme activities resulting in timely delivery of planned outputs, in conformity with ILO policies, country programme and procedures and in line with Joint Programme strategy.
2. Effectively plan, administer and track funds/budget assigned to the programme.
3. Manage efficiently the human resources of the programme, including recruitment, performance evaluation, and talent management aspects.
4. Prepare regular programme reports highlighting progress towards achievement of results, good practices, challenges encountered and corrective strategies adopted.
5. Monitor, design corrective actions and expedite programme implementation through regular reviews, monitoring, discussions with programme staff, field visits, analysis of progress reports.
6. Provide technical support to relevant government agencies and other key stakeholders, in close collaboration with the Country Director and CO technical team.
7. Represent ILO in meetings, events linked to the programme and its thematic areas and contribute to promoting the ILO mandate and outcomes.
8. Create, strengthen and maintain working relationships with various partners, including in the government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, non-governmental organizations, donors, and others for the benefit of programme and ILO interventions.
9. Liaise with other UN agencies and counterparts to promote ILO values, increase the programme and ILO visibility, and facilitate the scaling up of the programme impact.
10. Promote ILO principles and policies in the related technical areas of the programme, fundamental rights and principles at work and relevant International Labour Standards, in collaboration with other technical specialists/ staff. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.
11. Maintain working contacts and collaboration with multi-lateral and bilateral donor community for the development of future activities linked to the programme areas and in coordination with the Country Office and PARTNERSHIPS.
12. Write and disseminate information materials on programme areas and results in close collaboration with other relevant technical specialists/ staff.
13. Manage the design and implementation of research and knowledge creation activities. Leverage technical expertise in the related technical areas to support national, regional and cross-country knowledge development and sharing opportunities.
14. Any other duties requested by the Country Director.

Required qualifications

Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in public policies, economics, business management, marketing, social sciences or another related field.
• First level university degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) with nine years of experience in a relevant field may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

• Seven years of experience in management of development cooperation projects, including at the international level and in a leadership role, preferably in the fields of women economic empowerment, gender equality in working life, entrepreneurship, private sector development.
• Proven record of experience in developing economies, in agriculture value chains and with market system development approaches will be an asset.
• Knowledge of Nepali context and experience of implementing UN joint projects/ programmes will be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of English. Working knowledge of the language of the duty station would be an advantage.

Competencies

• Capacity to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organizational norms.
• Proven ability to take ownership and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, costs, and quality standards.
• Capacity to analyze the programme course and guide the team towards intended change strategy and planned results.
• Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies, synthesize various data and formulate conclusions on related subject matters and based on qualitative and quantitative information.
• Ability to develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policies, and present them at high-level meetings.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to write accurate and analytical reports.
• Ability to provide technical advice and to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, staff and young professionals in the relevant technical fields.
• Ability to promote knowledge sharing and learning culture in the offices and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level.
• Excellent leadership skills, ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Openness and ability to adapt to different cultures, environments, and gender difference to interact effectively with individuals.
• Proven capacity to manage and implement technical co-operation programmes and activities by the ILO
• Negotiation skills with governments, social partners and other partners.
• Ability to plan and support the development of individual skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of current or future job/role responsibilities.
• Self-awareness and display of empathy through an ability to effectively relate to and identify with others.
• Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environments.
• Ability to apply and encourage others to use innovative approaches leading to solutions and improvements orientation.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.