Swisscontact Nepal Vacancy Announcement for Monitoring Officer

Swisscontact, established in 1959 in Switzerland, is a leading partner organisation in implementing international development projects. The organisation promotes inclusive economic, social, and ecological development to contribute effectively towards sustainable and widespread prosperity in developing and emerging economies. Swisscontact strengthens people's competencies, improves employability, increases enterprise competitiveness, fosters business growth, and supports social and economic systems to promote inclusive development. 

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

The NVQS-P is a bilateral initiative between the Government of Nepal and the Government of Switzerland, represented by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). It supports the implementation of the National Vocational Qualifications System (NVQS), which aims to enhance the employability of Nepali youth and provide socioeconomic benefits. The Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) implements NVQS-P on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MoEST) at the federal level, and by the Ministries of Social Development/Education in the provinces. The project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC), with Swisscontact providing technical assistance on behalf of SDC. 

The NVQS-P invites applications from committed and experienced Nepali citizens for the following position.

Monitoring Officer, Gandaki Province. 

Location: NVQS PPSU Office-Gandaki Province, Pokhara (with frequent field visits). 

Reports to: Province Manager, NVQS P - II 

Duration: Two Years with the possibility of extension. 

Purpose of the Job 

The Monitoring Officer is responsible for supporting the implementation and monitoring of project activities at provincial and local levels, ensuring adherence to the log frame targets. Key roles of the Monitoring Officer include carrying out the day-to-day monitoring of VQS activities, assuring the quality standards outlined in the Yearly Plan of Operation (YPO) of the project. 

The Monitoring Officer works closely with the Province Managers and the Monitoring and Result Measurement (MRM) Specialist to ensure the proper execution of implementation strategies, and reports to the Province Manager. 

Functions and Responsibilities 

1. Compliance with the policies, rules/regulations, and guidelines 

Adhere to the relevant policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and guidelines of Swisscontact Nepal, including but not limited to the Financial and Operational Manuals, Code of Conduct Against Corruption, Conflict of Interest Policy, Basic Operating Guidelines (BoG), Local Security Management Plan, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Guidelines, Guidelines on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH), Communication Guidelines, and any other specific policies, guidelines, and manuals applicable to Swisscontact Nepal.

2. Technical Assistance on Program Implementation (30%) 

• Contribute to the effective implementation of project activities as per the agreed Yearly Plan of Operation (YPO) at the provincial level and lead the monitoring of all Vocational Qualification System (VQS) activities in close collaboration with the Provincial Project Coordination Unit (PPCU) in the assigned province. 
• Support the mobilisation of assessors, assessment centres, National Competency Standard (NCS) developers, assessment package developers, and RPL officers in each province. 
• Exhibit strong competencies in facilitating the exchange of ideas and information between different NVQS stakeholders at the provincial level. 
• Prepare key meetings, workshops, and related activities, and create materials as needed to expand outreach and advocacy for wider acceptance of NVQS at the provincial level. 
• Facilitate inputs from NVQS actors, stakeholders, and team members for various provincial-level events, and prepare event reports. 
• Demonstrate strong commitment and experience in providing required support to the team in promoting gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), and implementing GESI-sensitive approaches in all aspects of work. 

• Ensure monitoring and follow-up of VQS activities, assuring quality through close collaboration with PPCU and/or the joint monitoring team in the assigned province. 
• Support Province Managers in programme planning, implementation, and development of standard frameworks. 
• Ensure monitoring activities are aligned with the project log frame and process guidelines formulated by the project. 
• Prepare field visit reports, including feedback from field experiences, for project management and stakeholders. 
• Document processes, lessons learned, best practices, case studies, and other relevant information regularly, and feed this into the project’s reporting and knowledge management system. 
• Contribute to project management by commissioning studies where appropriate, and support maintaining the quality of all studies, surveys, and assessments carried out in the assigned province. 
• Review strategies and ensure project monitoring and results are well documented and reported. 

• Support the Province Manager in coordinating with the provincial government, the provincial Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT), local government, and private sector stakeholders to implement the Yearly Plan of Operation (YPO). 
• Assist in forming groups at the municipal level for discussions and orientations on Technical Education and Vocational Training as needed. 
• Support the coordination and implementation of project activities and strategies at the local and provincial levels. 
• Aid the Province Manager in liaising with relevant stakeholders and establishing partnerships based on the needs of the strategies at the local and provincial levels. 
• Contribute to establishing a strong network among stakeholders to increase ownership and advocate for the establishment of VQS at the provincial level.

Other Specific Responsibilities 

• Professionally discharge other tasks assigned by the project management. 
• Be proactive in bringing innovation and taking new initiative in the project in coordination with project management. 

The individual must conform to the following qualifications and expertise: 

• Bachelor's or higher degree in economics, finance, public policy, business administration, or any related discipline, with a minimum of 3 years of work experience, including at least 2 years of experience in project monitoring, particularly in TVET programmes/projects. 
• Ability and willingness to work in a team to deliver high-quality outputs within deadlines in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment. 
• Proficiency in MS Office and Internet use. 
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently for field visits. 

• High level of motivation, and good communication, social, and interpersonal skills. 
• Respect and sensitivity towards cultural, gender, ethnic, and religious diversity. 
• Ability to work and act under pressure and with discretion in a politically sensitive environment, maintaining a minimum level of comfort. 
• Knowledge of development and gender and social inclusion issues. 
• Competency in training and facilitating various programmes. 
• Focuses on impact and results and responds positively to feedback. 
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities. 
• Self-development and initiative-taking. 
• Demonstrates and safeguards ethics and integrity. 
• Acts as a team player and facilitates teamwork. 
• Makes informed and transparent decisions. 
• Client-oriented, both internally and externally. 
• Good command of English and Nepali languages (written and spoken). 

• This will be applicable in accordance with the Swisscontact Staff Manual.

The deadline for submission of the application is 4 th August 2024. 

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

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

To Apply Visit: swisscontact.org