Social Safeguard Officer

Trail-based Tourism Development Project (TTDP) is a bilateral initiative between the Government of Nepal and the Government of Switzerland with main goal of “People in Koshi Province increase their income and contribute to conservation of culture with innovative and sustainable tourism offers”. On Behalf of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Helvetas Nepal provides technical assistance to the project. Helvetas Nepal invites applications from competent and committed Nepali Citizens for the following positions:

Social Safeguard Officer

Duty Station: Field office with at least 60% visits to trail site of Koshi Province
Reporting to: Trail Coordinator, Field Office, TTDP

Job purpose: This position is responsible for overall social mobilization process, equitable participation, and the integration of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) principles in all project activities at assigned trails. This involves assisting with community engagement, GESI related capacity-building initiatives, and safeguarding measures to mitigate adverse social impacts.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Compliance to Policies, Rules/Regulations and Guidelines

• Adhere to policies, procedures, regulations and guidelines of HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation (Code of Conduct; NPR-Nepal; Finance Manual; Security Response Guide; Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Guide; Mobbing, Sexual Harassment & Abuse of Authority; Code of Conduct Against Corruption etc.) and other specific policies applicable for TTDP;
• Conflict Sensitive Programme Management at all levels;
• Ensure compliance of all the terms and conditions agreed between HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation Nepal and the donor.

2. Technical Assistance in Social Safeguarding

• The Social Safeguard Officer shall perform the activities under the direct supervision of the Trail Coordinator and in close coordination with the Social Safeguard Coordinator of the PSU;
• Assist in the overall social mobilization process. Ensure that public meetings on project information dissemination and planning with TUCCs include women, poor, dalit, janajati and other excluded groups;
• Based on the selection criteria and task description prepared by the Social Safeguard Coordinator, guide the selection and recruitment of the TUCCs;
• Conduct focus group discussion with potential beneficiaries during the verification to assure that the proposals are supported by a majority of the beneficiaries and special attention is given to the inclusion of the needs and priorities of women, poor and excluded groups;
• Identify groups or households that will be negatively affected by the proposed measures and discuss their participation in possible mitigation measures;
• Identify the need for land acquisition for the proposed measures and discuss arrangements with the beneficiaries for such acquisitions including women, poor and socially excluded.

2. Coordination and Capacity Development

• Conduct GESI related capacity and sensitization training at the community level;
• During the post construction period assist in the formation of O&M committees;
• Frame the discussions and agreements on beneficiary engagement and organization/responsibilities for future O&M of the infrastructure and the catchment protection area;
• Ensure that women and socially excluded are proportionately represented in these sub committees and are trained and involved in the preparation of the plans;
• For design preparation conduct focus groups discussions and collect the socio-economic data required for evaluation of the economic viability of the proposed scheme;
• Assure that women, female heads of households, and other DAGs have equal access and equal benefits from the project;
• During the construction of project, guide the mobilization of the TUCCs/TCGs during the construction phase;
• Coordinate with the project LGs, and other stakeholders for the social safeguarding issues;
• Conduct meetings and focus group discussions for social safeguarding issues at the LGs and Ward levels;
• Conduct regular field visit and interactions with key stakeholders regarding social safeguarding.

3. Other Specific Responsibilities

• Professionally discharge other tasks requested by the line manager/Social Safeguard Coordinator.

Required Education, Experience and Competencies

Required Education /Experiences:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a development field (sociology, anthropology or rural development) with preferably 5 years’ working experience in development projects in social issues. At least 3 years’ experience in rural development and participatory project planning and preparation methodologies, including social surveys and skills in social and poverty analysis, and rapid rural appraisal techniques.

Required Competencies:

• Good understanding of community development and social safeguarding
• Competence in social mobilization and social surveys
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience working to promote gender equality and social inclusion
• Good documentation and writing skills
• Good facilitating skills, team player and result oriented
• Multitasking and flexibility
• Able to write clear and concise case studies
• Commitment towards gender equality, social inclusion, and poverty reduction
• Proficient in written and spoken English and Nepali
• Good computer skills

Additional Information

Any telephone enquiries/and or attempts to apply undue influence will result disqualification of candidates. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the selection process. Helvetas Nepal reserves the right to reject any or all applications without assigning any reasons.

Helvetas Nepal promotes workforce diversity and applies positive discrimination to candidates from discriminated groups (Woman, Dalit, Janajati, Madhesi/Terai, and other minority communities).

Deadline for submission of application: 16 March 2025.