Website Embassy of Switzerland Kathmandu
Switzerland through its development cooperation has been engaged in Nepal since 1959. With the establishment of its Embassy in Nepal in August 2009, Switzerland’s cooperation with Nepal continues to focus on federal state building, employment and income as well as migration. Switzerland is committed to support Nepal’s socio-economic development and federal state building at national, provincial and local level.
The Embassy of Switzerland offers a competitive salary and benefit package as well as a stimulating team and working environment. We are looking for a qualified Nepali professional for 4 years fixed term contract with possibility of extension.
National Programme Officer – Climate Change
The National Programme Officer (NPO) supports the Programme Manager to develop a strategy for SDC/the Swiss Embassy’s future engagement on climate change, disaster risk reduction (DRR) and environment and supports the Programme Manager in building a distinct project portfolio on climate change, DRR and environment, based on SDC/the Swiss Embassy’s past and current engagement in Nepal.
The NPO is responsible for developing, monitoring, and steering of the assigned projects. Under the Programme Manager’s supervision, the NPO ensures that the project management cycle is timely managed and that the planning, implementation and reporting are of high quality.
Furthermore, the NPO acts as thematic adviser within SDC/the Embassy, ensuring that mainstreaming efforts are coherent with international and national policy provisions and SDC overall strategy for engaging on climate change, DRR and environment. The NPO contributes to SDC/the Swiss Embassy’s policy and political engagement in the above-mentioned fields, and participates in donor coordination activities in the sector, on behalf of SDC.
The NPO updates the supervisor regularly on relevant developments regarding the political context, policy frameworks, projects and the project environment to ensure relevance, coherence and informed decision making. The NPO contributes to the formulation of new strategies and to reporting results for the annual report.
Expert competence:
Master Degree in Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Geography, Economy, or any other relevant fields; At least 5 years of practical work experience in the development sector in the area of climate change, disaster risk reduction (DRR) and environment; Sound understanding of international and national policy framework (amongst others: UN Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCCC; Paris Agreement; Nepal’s Nationally Determined Contribution NDC; the National Climate Change Policy, the National Adaptation Plan NAP); Profound understanding of political issues and dynamics related to climate change, DRR and environment at international, national and sub-national level; Familiar with the role and functions of relevant national institutions, such as the Ministry of Forest and Environment (MoFE) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) and other relevant public and private stakeholders for climate action; Familiarity with the functioning of the federal, province and local government, in particular with respect to climate adaptation and DRR; Good understanding of the political and development landscape in Nepal; Excellent conceptual and analytical abilities, including result-based project management in an intercultural context; Good understanding of and experience with development agencies, including project cycle management (PCM) is considered an advantage; Knowledge on insurance approaches and/or experience in structuring public and private financial project proposals would be an advantage; Sensitivity and experience in the areas of gender, equity and social inclusion; Proficiency in written and spoken English and Nepali.
Methodical / Social Competence:
Goal and result oriented; Demonstrated ability to analyse, conceptualise, manage and monitor programs; Ability to work independently, take decisions and implement them; Innovative, ability to think out of the box and initiate changes; Ability to learn and adapt quickly.
Networking, negotiation and communication skills; Ability and willingness to work in team; Ability to address feedbacks constructively;
Accept a wide spectrum of tasks; Intercultural sensitivity.
Detailed job description is available on the Embassy’s website https://www.fdfa.admin.ch/countries/nepal/en/home/news/open-job-vacancies.html and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/embassy-of-switzerland-in-nepal/jobs/
Application/Motivation letter in English with immediate contact address and a telephone number; an updated bio-data; copies of citizenship certificate and academic credentials; and reference from former employer(s) through a single email as pdf attachment (please do not provide a link to google drive or any other cloud server) at kathmandu.application@eda.admin.ch or through post. Please clearly mark “National Programme Officer – Climate Change” on the envelope / subject of the email and should reach latest by 17:00 hrs on 17 July 2023.
Chief of Finance, Personnel and Administration
P.O. Box 113
Kathmandu, Nepal
The Embassy shall not reply to any comments made on the linkedIn platform. The Embassy shall process only complete files and reserves the right to reject any or all applications without assigning any reason. Only shortlisted candidates shall be contacted through email.
The Embassy of Switzerland in Nepal promotes workforce diversity and applies positive discrimination to candidates from discriminated groups (women and candidates from Dalit, Janajati, Madhesi/Terai, and other minority community).
Source: Kantipur Dainik, 1 July, 2023