Technical Coordinator

Swisscontact, established in 1959 in Switzerland, is a leading partner organisation for the implementation of international development projects. The organisation promotes inclusive economic, social, and ecological development to make an effective contribution towards sustainable and widespread prosperity in developing and emerging economies. It strengthens the competencies of people, improving their employability, increases the competitiveness of enterprises, growing their business, and fosters social and economic systems, promoting inclusive development.

Swisscontact, registered as an International Non-Governmental Organisation in Nepal, has been operating since 1991 and is currently implementing six development programmes across all seven provinces of Nepal.

Quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training for Youths (QualiTY), Phase 1 project is a bilateral initiative between the Government of Nepal and the Government of Switzerland. It is implemented by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training at the Federal level and Ministry of Social Development / Education at the Province level. Swisscontact Nepal provides technical assistance to the project through the Project Support Unit (PSU) at Federal and Provincial level on behalf of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Swisscontact invites applications from the committed and experienced Nepali citizens for the following position.

Technical Coordinator (Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation and Capacity Building)

Numbers: 1 (one)
Location: Pokhara, Gandaki Province
Reports to: Province Manager
Time: 100% (8 hours a day and 5 days a week)
Duration: One year with the possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance

Purpose of the Job
The Technical Coordinator is responsible for providing technical assistance to the MOSD/E in planning project activities including the budgets (both project budget and government allocations) and its regular monitoring in the assigned province.

The Technical Coordinator works closely with the Province Manager, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, and Technical Officers. The Technical Coordinator- Provincial reports to the Province Manager.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities
1. Compliance to the policies, rules/regulations, and guidelines
Adhere to relevant policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and guidelines of Swisscontact Nepal (Financial and Operational Manuals, Code of Conduct Against Corruption, Conflict of Interest, Basic Operating Guideline (BoG), Local Security Management Plan, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Guideline, Guideline on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH), Communication Guideline and other specific policies guidelines and manuals applicable for the Swisscontact Nepal)

2. Technical Assistance on Programme Implementation

• Support MoSD/E (especially Project Coordination and Implementation Unit (PCIU-P)) in planning the project activities in consultation with Province Manager.
• Facilitate and collaborate with MoSD/E in allocation of government’s budget for the effective implementation of the project mandate.
• Support MoSD/E (especially PCIU-P) in developing the joint monitoring plan, conducting the field monitoring, and preparing the field reports.
• Contribute to the effective implementation of project activities as per the agreed Yearly Plan of Operation (YPO) at province level and local level.
• Develop forms/formats/checklist/guidelines/procedures for the TVET schools as per the need assessed by technical officers.
• Provide technical support/mentoring to the schools in developing and implementing the School Improvement Plans (SIP) including coordination with LGs and private sector.

3. Planning, Monitoring and Capacity Building

• Support Province Manager in terms of programme planning, budgeting, and formulation of Yearly Plan of Operation (YPO) of the assigned province.
• Develops M&E plan for the respective province in close collaboration with the M&E Specialist and implements the same with given procedures and tools for the quality assurance of the project activities at province and local levels.
• Ensure monitoring activities are aligned with the project log-frame and monitoring and quality assurance guideline formulated by the project.
• Lead the monitoring of TVET schools including the status of SIP implementation and annual plans based on SIPs with the support of Technical Officers.
• Support and backstops Technical Officers in the implementation of the M&E plan and collection and entries of monitoring data in the given system.
• Develop province-focused capacity building plans for the government staff, and TVET professionals in collaboration with MoSD/E and facilitate the implementation of the same.
• Develop capacity building plan for the managerial and instructional staff of TVET schools in collaboration with province and local governments and facilitates the implementation.
• Document the processes, lessons learned, best practices, case studies and other relevant information regularly and feed into the project’s reporting and knowledge management system.
• Support Province Manager to commission studies where appropriate, and contribute to increase the quality of all studies, surveys and assessments carried out in the assigned province.
• Support Province Manager to prepare key meetings, workshops and related activities and support in project outreach activities at local and province level.
• Support to review the strategies on a regular basis and ensure the project monitoring and results are well documented and reported.

4. Coordination, Collaboration and Networking

• Support Province Manager and PSU-P team to establish coordination and collaborations to implement the project activities and strategies at province and local level.
• Liaise with respective local governments, TVET schools and private sector stakeholders/associations to implement the Yearly Plan of Operation (YPO).
• Support to strengthen the coordination with other SDC in-house projects’ team and other likeminded project/programmes in the respective province to create a synergetic result.
• Be proactive in establishing a good network among the stakeholders to increase the ownership and to advocate for QualiTY project at province and local level.

5. Other Specific Responsibilities

• Professionally perform other tasks assigned by the Province Manager.
• Be proactive in bringing innovation and taking new initiative in the project in coordination with project management.
• Proactively seek and contribute to inter-project collaboration with other inhouse projects of Swisscontact Nepal where possible.
• Share creative and innovative ideas to improve the quality of the TVET schools.

Qualification, Experience, and Skills

• Master’s degree in relevant field (Education/ TVET/ Management/ Business Studies/ Development Studies).
• Minimum five years of work experience of programme/project implementation and at least 2 years’ experience of TVET sector/ (including at least 2 years of coordination role among the government, private sector entities) in relevant field (i.e., development cooperation and/or, TVET sector programmes).
• Knowledge and work experience of TVET school/TVET programme management/quality management system would be an advantage.
• Ability and willingness to work in a team to deliver high quality outputs within deadlines in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment.
• Experience of coordinating role among development organisation, federal, provincial, and local governments in the programme development and implementation process.
• Proficiency in MS Office work and Internet use and basic project management tools.
• Willingness and ability to make frequent field visit travels.

Competencies

• High level of motivation and good communication, social, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work and act under pressure and with discretion in a politically sensitive environment.
• Ability to influence, communicate, co-operate, and negotiate with a wide range of stakeholders (including government) with tact, diplomacy, and sensitivity to cultural differences.
• In-depth knowledge on development and gender and social inclusion issues.
• Respect and sensitivity towards cultural, gender, ethnicity, and religious diversity.
• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture within the project and outside.
• Focuses on impact and results and responds positively to feedback.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
• Demonstrates corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
• Demonstrates ability for self-development and initiative-taking.
• Demonstrates safeguarding ethics and integrity.
• Acts as a team player and facilitates teamwork and manages conflict.
• Informed and transparent decision making.
• Client oriented, internally, and externally.
• Excellent communication skill in both English and Nepali (verbal and written).

Working Condition and Environment

• This will be applicable in accordance with the Swisscontact Finance & Operations Manual.

Application Procedure
Please submit online Job Application Form by clicking the link below.
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/2c2a97e812e24ff88cede8e0baa9498f

The deadline for form submission is 11:59 PM Nepali time, 11 May 2024.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the selection process. Swisscontact Nepal reserves the right to reject any or all applications. Swisscontact Nepal shall not entertain any phone inquiries or other solicitations for these positions.

Swisscontact Nepal promotes workforce diversity and applies positive discrimination to candidates from discriminated groups (Women, Dalit, Janajati, Madhesi/Terai, and other minority communities), thus we encourage people to apply from these backgrounds.

Tagged as: NGO INGO, Pokhara, Swisscontact, Technical Coordinator