Program Officer

Program Officer

Job Type: Full-time position for a duration of one year, starting in March 2025, with the possibility of a two-year extension based on performance

Department: Program and Operations

Location: Kathmandu

Summary of the main tasks and Responsibilities of the Position

The Program Officer will play a pivotal role in supporting the effective implementation and management of project and research activities. This includes assisting in the development and execution of strategies, ensuring coordination, communication, and reporting within the project team. The Program Officer will be responsible for the preparation of research documents, conducting data analysis, and overseeing the logistical and administrative tasks required for field research. In addition, the Program Officer will monitor project progress, ensure compliance with deadlines, and assist in identifying relevant opportunities for collaboration and funding. Program officer will also support various aspects of field research, report writing, and dissemination of findings. Program officer will report directly to the Program Manager and will work under the indirect supervision of the Team Lead and Research Specialist.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities of the Position

Support for Effective Implementation of Project and Research Activities

• Provide regular updates on progress, including tasks, roles, and deadlines in close coordination with the program manager.
• Assist with desk reviews, literature reviews, key informant interviews, and the design/review of research materials. Prepare briefing and synthesis reports for meetings and technical consultations.
•  Help develop and implement project and research strategies, work plans, and monitoring and evaluation plans.
•  Contribute to the development of project/research protocols and data collection instruments, ensuring effective data management and quality assurance.
•  Assist the technical team in facilitating and documenting workshops, training sessions, and meetings. Conduct monitoring visits as necessary.
• Translate and transcribe various documents, such as reports, research materials, screening tools, and pre/post-intervention tools.
•  Coordinate field visits and travel for team members, consultants, and partners to the research and project areas.
• Organize and manage meetings and workshops with external experts and consultants as required.
•  Conduct data management and analysis using research software such as Excel, EpiData, R, SPSS, STATA.
•  Attend and participate in relevant meetings, training sessions, workshops, and seminars. Document minutes of these events and report to the Program Manager.

Assist in Day-to-Day Project and Research Management

•  Monitor project and research activities, maintain records, and prepare periodic and ad hoc reports.
•  Facilitate effective communication between technical teams, field researchers, and other project stakeholders. Provide site visit support to address any issues in coordination with the technical teams.
•  Track and validate project-specific activities, including data collection, to ensure compliance with project specifications.
•  Provide guidance to field researchers, proactively address challenges, and maintain daily activity records.

Provide Administrative Support

•  Assist the technical team in organizing meetings, workshops, events, and presentations. This includes preparing or compiling notes, slides, and summarizing meeting outcomes.
• Liaise with short-term staff and consultants, ensuring their work aligns with the approved Terms of Reference (TORs).
•  Assist with logistics and the coordination of workshops, meetings, and training sessions as required.
•  Provide administrative support during the hiring process and onboarding of new staff, consultants, and volunteers.

Ensure Reporting, Communication, and Dissemination

• Participate in communicating project/research activities and results to internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the technical team to write scientific reports, policy briefs, and facilitate dissemination through peer-reviewed journals.
• Develop presentations, website content, blogs, briefs, and reports as required.
  Identify and Share Relevant Program and Collaboration Opportunities
•  Regularly identify suitable opportunities (EOIs, RFPs, collaboration, etc.) in alignment with the organization’s scope of work and share key information with the team. For urgent deadlines, coordinate with the Program Manager to schedule ad hoc meetings.
• Assist the team in preparing and submitting proposals, including drafting, editing, and formatting application documents.
•  Monitor and track the progress of grant applications, ensuring compliance with requirements and deadlines, in close coordination with the Program Manager.
  Perform Additional Tasks as Needed
• Undertake any other tasks identified by the Team Lead and Program Manager as required.

Minimum Requirements

a. Education

• Essential: Bachelor’s degree in Public Health or a related field.
•  Desirable: Master’s in Public Health (MPH).

b. Core Competencies

•  Strong commitment to contributing to the field of public health and research.
• Uphold high standards of ethics and integrity.
• Demonstrate initiative and a focus on continuous self-development.
•  Foster open communication and effective collaboration within the team.
•  Promote a culture of learning and knowledge sharing.

c. Experience

•  Essential: Full- time work, volunteer, or internship experience in public health research or any public health-related projects.

d. Skills and Abilities

•  Basic understanding of project and research activities.
• Experience with field activities related to projects or research.
• Skilled in problem-solving, multitasking, and quality control.
• Ability to act as a liaison between central office and field teams.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

e. Languages

•  Essential: Proficiency in English and Nepali.
• Desirable: Knowledge of additional local languages (e.g., Bhojpuri, Maithili).

f. Travel Requirement

• Up to 30% travel to project or study sites.

Additional information: Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice.

Please note that no phone calls will be entertained by the PERC office regarding this vacancy.

Application Deadline : February 2, 2025