Subnational Governance Adviser

Subnational Governance Adviser, Grade- G7, Kathmandu

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.

Job Category: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Programme Roles)

Job Subcategory: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Programme Roles)

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment, educational details, behavioural and technical/ professional skills questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only with all the required details and the shortlisting is not basis CV/ cover letter. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

Main purpose of job:

How we approach our work is important. The How We Work Statement (below) sets out the ambition we share across the FCDO for how we lead and behave towards each other, how we make decisions, and how we get the job done. Some aspects may be particularly relevant to this role.

We put respect and kindness first. We are inclusive, we get to know each other, and value our diversity and the contribution we each bring. We are fair, act with integrity, and tackle inequality and unacceptable behaviour. We work together and take responsibility to solve problems.
We draw on the expertise, insight and diverse perspectives of people across the FCDO, HMG, and beyond. We use the best available data and evidence. We are open to challenge and take a sustainable, long-term approach. We are transparent about the rationale for decisions and smart about taking and managing risks.
We are agile and alert to emerging opportunities. We encourage learning, innovation and use of data and digital. We are all clear on what we are expected to deliver and support each other in doing so. We look to reduce duplication and unnecessary process. We are committed to transforming both the FCDO and the way HMG delivers international policy.

Description of the Embassy and team:

The British Embassy Kathmandu (BEK) represents all of the UK government interests in Nepal, including our bilateral, defence co-operation, development support, and trade.

The Embassy focuses on five key areas:

Supporting a more open and democratic society in Nepal resulting in more representative, inclusive and effective governance at all three levels of government.
Continue the recruitment of Gurkhas into the British Army as well as support capable security and rule of law institutions that protect the rights of all people will strengthen Nepal’s stability.
Support Nepal’s transition to sustainable lower-middle income country (LMIC) status through facilitating inclusive and greener growth, increased investment and more open trade
Support Nepal to implement the ambitious climate targets adopted at COP26 that will reduce emissions, build resilience, and put Nepal on a path to a green recovery.
Promote girls’ education and the rights of women and girls in Nepal.
You will become part of a collegial Embassy team, and be responsible for a rewarding, engaging and transformational portfolio of work.
This is an exciting time to join BEKs governance work. A new 9-year governance portfolio programme has just been approved that will frame BEKs engagement on governance in Nepal across two election cycles. This will focus on implementation of federalism, inclusive development and democratic resilience. In addition, BEK recently embarked on an ambitious agenda of external dialogue and new collaborative ways of working with implementing partners putting governance evidence at the centre of BEKs approach.

The role sits in the Governance Team within the Governance and Social Development Group and supports BEK’s governance portfolio, as well as the wider BEK approach to governance across its entire portfolio. The Post Holder will join a core group of Governance Advisers who work across BEK and will report to the Governance Team Leader.

This position will establish and maintain relationships for technical guidance and support with the FCDO governance cadre, and relevant teams and staff from FCDO’s UK headquarters.

Main purpose of job:

Main purpose of this Country Based Staff (CBS) position is to serve as Grade 7 Subnational Governance Adviser (GA) for the British Embassy Kathmandu. The Post Holder will lead BEKs work on supporting federalism to deliver better development outcomes, and in particular focus on how institutions at federal, provincial and local level are collaborating to deliver better local governance and services for Nepali people.
The Post Holder will be expected to deliver strong political economy analysis about public sector and state-society relations, and expected to oversee BEK’s support to Government-programmes that support implementation of political, administrative and fiscal federalism. The Post Holder will be an expert in public sector reform processes focused on devolution and inclusion, and will also advise BEK on how to embed strategic and catalytic work on anti-corruption in the programme portfolio.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

The job holder will be responsible for:

• Leading governance analysis and evidence agendas to inform BEKs engagement on implementing federalism in Nepal. This includes analysis and advice on the development of key institutions such as the legal framework, the devolution of power and mandates within state institutions at federal, provincial and local levels, and the transformation of state-society relations.
• Leading political economy analysis of public sector reform and corruption within sectors, enabling provision of high-quality governance advice to BEK sector programmes that work with subnational organisations to deliver services e.g. health, education, infrastructure and WASH. This may include working with BEK’s lead governance adviser on Public Financial
• Management to ensure effectiveness and coherence of fiscal federalism and fiduciary risk management approaches within sector programmes.
• Supporting BEK to engage more effectively at subnational levels, including through collaboration with and informing the work of BEK’s Provincial Engagement Facility. This could involve ensuring that BEK has up to date political economy analysis of particular provinces and local governments, as well as working with the Politics and Partnership Teams to shape
• BEK’s subnational policy and development dialogues.
• Leading advisory inputs to BEKs contribution to the Provincial and Local Governance Strengthening Programme, and lead dialogue with Government of Nepal and subnational governments and associated stakeholders, such as the Provincial about how to best support improved inter-governmental relations, administrative reforms.
• Leading governance advice on BEK’s most effective use of technical assistance, especially to government at all levels, in support of wider objectives on system strengthening and service delivery.
• Provide support to BEK’s efforts to develop local leadership and establish modern partnerships for development. This will include providing advice to how BEK and its Portfolio Partners can work together differently to achieve greater localisation and system strengthening.
• In coordination with the Governance Adviser for BEKs Green Growth Group, work to identify opportunities to support politically smart, locally led anti-corruption work and advising on BEK’s approach on anti-corruption.

About you:

This is an important position that supports a core pillar of BEK’s work. It requires knowledgeable and collaborative governance adviser with a deep understanding of Nepal’s governance change processes. The post holder will be an authority on subnational governance and devolution and will be able influence a range of stakeholders including government and other Development Partners, and to effectively communicate how to maximise governance impact of sector interventions.
The post holder will be interested in an externally facing position and be enthusiastic about building an extended network of contacts particularly at the subnational level with government, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders. The post holder must be pro-active in effectively supporting and influencing subnational engagement across the Embassy and be expected to spend at least 25% of their time in BEK priority provinces of Madhesh, Lumbini, and Karnali.

We are looking for someone with:

• Solid governance expertise with experience of advising on and delivering ODA programmes in collaboration with host governments, civil society, academia, and other development partners.
• Proven ability to apply Political Economy Analysis to address development problems and challenges, ideally in a federal context.
• Proven ability to work across multiple areas and disciplines in a flexible manner, identifying strategic priorities and opportunities as they evolve.
• Strong communication and influencing skills and a track record of being able to effectively influence policy and programmes across a larger organisation and in networks with partners.
• Experience of engaging on policy development, whilst coordinating with multiple stakeholders across a larger organisation and with external stakeholders.
• A commitment to collaboration, learning, and inclusion who can role model and champion BEK values.
• Essential qualifications, skills and experience
• Demonstration of expertise and working experience on governance, including, but not limited to applied Political Economy Analysis and Inclusive and Accountable Politics.

BEK encourages a diverse range of governance experts to apply, demonstrating “expert” level in at least 2 of the 4 technical competencies (essential), and “practitioner level” in all 4 (desirable). The successful Post Holder will join FCDOs Professional Governance Cadre at the level demonstrated during recruitment, but can work towards higher levels of accreditation.

Including:

• Governance Core Competency: Applied Governance and Political Economy Analysis
•  Governance Specialist Competency: Public Sector and Service Delivery
•  Governance Specialist Competency: Public Financial Management and Resource Mobilisation
•  Governance Specialist Competency: Anti-Corruption and Illicit Finance

Details of which can be found at: Governance_Technical_Competency_Framework_September_2022.odt (live.com)

the Technical Competency Framework for the Governance Cadre of FCDO.

Bachelor degree in relevant disciplines such as Political Science, International Relations, Social Science, Law, Development Studies or Public Administration or Policy and a minimum of 5-10 years relevant work experience.

Language requirements:

Language: Nepali and English

Level of language required: Fluent

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience: Postgraduate degree in relevant disciplines such as Political Science, International Relations, Social Science, Law, Development Studies or Public Administration or Policy.

Required behaviours: Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
Application deadline: 30 October 2024
Grade: Grade 7 (G7)
Type of Position: Full-time, Fixed Term
Working hours per week: 36
Duration of Post: 36 months
Region: South Asia & Afghanistan
Country/Territory: Nepal
Location (City): Kathmandu
Type of Post: British Embassy
Number of vacancies: 1
Salary Currency: NPR
Salary: NPR 365,677 per month plus 10% provident fund contribution
Type of Salary: monthly
Start Date: 31 March 2025

Other benefits and conditions of employment: 

For British Embassy candidates, the Country Based Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.

Salary will be all-inclusive of NPR 365,677 per month plus 10% Provident Fund Contribution.

The successful candidate will be provided with annual leaves, maternity/paternity and membership in the Embassy medical benefits scheme as per the Terms & Conditions of Services. The British Embassy in Kathmandu is part of a world-wide network of 240 Posts, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas.

No relocation or any other related costs or assistance will be provided. FCDO does not pay for any travelling, accommodation & relocation expenses incurred and/or accept any financial risk, including cancellation or reschedule costs.

FCDO operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require. This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCDO has anywhere across the globe. We are aiming to make it the best. The British Embassy is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on grounds of ethnic origin, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation.

Please note – BHC does not deduct tax at source and employees are required to ensure that any requirements of local income-tax law are complied with in full. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, e.g. Some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.

Additional information

Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment, educational details, behavioural and technical/ professional skills questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only with all the required details and the shortlisting is not basis CV/ cover letter. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

To Apply:

Please note applications without (a) and (b) will not be considered. Point (c) to be adhere strictly.

a) Complete the Online Application Form.
b) Complete the Experience, Behaviours, Technical/Professional skills-based segment in the Online Application Form.
c) Applicants need to answer the questions based on their professional experience. Kindly refrain from use of AI based tools to avoid application from getting rejected/disqualified.

To ensure a successful application it is important that you explain how you demonstrate these behaviours and technical/ professional skills, basis your experience. You are strongly advised to read the Success Profiles Civil Service Behaviours Framework which provides a detailed guidance on how these behaviours are defined for each position.

Applicants are encouraged to use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to prepare specific examples of when and how you have demonstrated these behaviours in your application, by evidencing a structured response, including your skills and experiences. You briefly describe the situation in which you demonstrated the behaviour, and then explain your task in addressing the situation, what action you took and the result of this.

Internal candidates applying for this position must have completed their probation and have prior approval from their line manager, else the application will not be considered.

We will accept only online applications by 30th October 2024 – 23:55 Nepal Time Zone

Please note that all the applicants will be required to strictly adhere to the security guidelines for British Embassy

Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and no telephone enquires will be dealt with. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative date
The appointment will be subject to achieving suitable clearances which includes police verification along with references, medical, educational and professional checks.
We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed. We are also open to applications from people who want to work flexibly.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.