Municipal Program Officer

Aasaman Nepal is going to implement SRHR and Gender equality/women empowerment including ending child marriage and harmful practices Programs in Madhesh Province, in the partnership with UNFPA(Proposed). The overarching objectives of the programs are to enhance reproductive health outcomes, eliminate gender-based violence, empower women economically and socially, and reduce child marriage. The integrated approach aims to provide comprehensive reproductive health services, promote gender equity, facilitate women’s economic empowerment through skill development and entrepreneurship, and contribute to the global effort of ending child marriage. These programs collectively strive to create a society where individuals, particularly women and adolescents, have the knowledge, resources, and opportunities to make informed decisions about their health, well-being, and future.

Aasaman Nepal is looking for the self-motivated, result oriented and hard-working Nepali citizen for the following position:

Municipal Program Officer – (Nos-2)

Location: Rauthat and Dhanusha
Position Type: Full-time

Overview:

The Municipal Programme Officers (MPO) will play a pivotal role in ensuring the effective execution of GBV prevention activities, SRHR initiatives, and ECM activities supported by UNFPA within the EWPN projects across designated municipalities of Madhesh Province, as outlined in the 2024 annual work plan and budget. Their responsibilities encompass direct program implementation, as well as coordination and collaboration with municipalities and other stakeholders at the local level. They will closely liaise with local governments to optimize budget allocation and program alignment for GBV prevention endeavors. Furthermore, they will collaborate with EWPN implementing partners to enhance access to GBV response services, prevention measures, economic empowerment opportunities, and programs aimed at fostering women’s leadership development.

Responsibilities:

1. Municipal and Community-Level Program Implementation:

• Execute GBV prevention activities at municipal and community levels by collaborating with local government entities.

2. Coordination with Local Entities:

• Collaborate with local wards, schools, health facilities, and communities to facilitate Rupantaran roll-outs, family dialogues, and intergenerational dialogues.

3. Community Advocacy:

•  Conduct advocacy efforts within communities to challenge harmful gender norms, gender-based violence, and detrimental practices such as child marriages and son preferences.

4. Partnership Coordination:

•  Coordinate with joint EWPN implementing partners at the local level to enhance access to GBV response services, prevention initiatives, economic empowerment, and leadership development opportunities for women and girls.

5. Support for Community Facilitators:

• Provide extensive support to Community Facilitators, Peer Facilitators, and GBV Champions to effectively deliver GBV prevention activities at the community level.

6. Advocacy and Lobbying:

•  Advocate and lobby local municipalities to allocate resources and budget for gender equality and women’s empowerment programs through influencing the local-level planning process.

7. Collaboration with Stakeholders:

•  Coordinate with relevant organizations and community-based groups to ensure the effective implementation of program activities.

8. Inclusive Engagement:

•  Engage marginalized communities, ethnic groups, women, and girls in program activities, adhering to the principle of leaving no one behind.

9. Policy Compliance:

•  Implement and uphold Organizational Integrated Safeguarding and Accountability, Gender, and Social Inclusion Policy, ensuring adherence to UNFPA’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) policy.

10. Data Collection and Affirmative Actions:

•  Oversee the collection of disaggregated data and implement affirmative actions to reach marginalized populations effectively.

11. Environmental Impact Management:

•  Implement precautionary measures to minimize environmental impact, such as reducing unnecessary vehicle movements and minimizing the use of plastic and environmentally harmful materials.

12. Compliance with PSEA Policies:

Qualification:

• Possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Social Studies, or Social Science, with a background in Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE), GBV prevention, and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI).
• Demonstrate extensive experience (minimum 2 years) in GBV prevention, local-level coordination and collaboration, advocacy, and participating in local-level planning processes.
• Exhibit a solid understanding of Nepal government GBV plans and policies, or experience in humanitarian settings.
•  Have knowledge of gender equity and women’s empowerment, gender transformative approaches, GBV prevention, and sustainability principles. Additionally, possess exceptional communication, coordination, and organizational skills. Familiarity with the socio-cultural landscape of Madhesh Province, Nepal, is advantageous.
•  Show a strong commitment to preventing GBV, sexual exploitation, and abuse. Possess knowledge and experience in reporting and facilitation.
• Demonstrate proficiency in computer software such as MS Excel, Word, or Office packages.

Key Competencies:

• Uphold the principles of Accountability, Integrity, and Innovation.
• Demonstrate proficiency in ASN’s working approaches and policies.
• Adhere to processes promoting inclusion, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), child rights, institutional system strengthening, behavioral changes, and the integration of gender and youth perspectives.
• Exhibit teamwork, motivation, mutual trust, and a positive demeanor within a diverse team.
• Show respect for cultural awareness and practice effective communication.
• Be prepared to conduct field visits as necessary.

Languages: Strong command of Nepali, English, Maithili, Bhojpuri (oral and written) and local language preferred/required.

Aasaman Nepal has zero tolerance of abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people. We expect all our employees/volunteers to ensure we are protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults from harm and abide by our safeguarding policy.
Other Attributes for all positions: Excellent quality of work and commitment to high standards, strong communication skills, team building and willingness and motivated for good service delivery with strong networking and interpersonal skills and comfortable to work under stress and emergencies.

Age Limit: Candidates between 21 years to 55 years are only eligible to apply for the above position, depending upon the nature of job they will carry.

All employees must adhere to child safeguarding in person’s provisions covered in the project agreement.

Monitor staff and partners’ and ensure adherence to Aasaman Nepal’s policies and internal procedures, protocols, Aasaman Nepal’s code of Conduct with special attention to Safeguarding Standards and Procedure, Case Handling Framework, Child Protection and Do No Harm Policies. Also, immediate reporting and redress of any complaints and issues based on its severity.

Notes:

•  Locals, especially women and members of ethnic or marginalized communities from Madhesh Province are encouraged to apply for this position.
• Applications received after the deadline will not be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be notified for the further process.
• Canvassing at any stage of the recruitment process shall lead to automatic disqualification of the candidate.

Interested candidates are requested to submit their application filled by downloading the link below along with an updated CV and Cover Letter by 23/03/2024.

https://forms.gle/UuSjsiL8TEzbPJPQ7

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for participation in the recruitment process. No telephone enquiry is entertained. ASN reserves the right to qualify/disqualify any applications without any reason.

This job description is not incorporated into the employment contract. It is intended as a guide and should not be viewed as an inflexible specification as it may vary from time to time considering the organization work. The postholder will be expected to demonstrate high level of efficient and effective working skills to perform the responsibilities.

Tagged as: Dhanusha, NGO INGO, Program Officer, Rautahat