Swisscontact Vacancy Announcement for Technical Officer

Swisscontact is an independent non-profit development organisation established in 1959 by representatives of the Swiss private sector and civil society. Our development work focuses on private sector-led, sustainable economic development with improved quality of life for all in developing and emerging countries. A key focus is to strengthen the skills of individuals and foster the competitiveness of businesses.

Swisscontact, registered as an International Non-Governmental Organisation in Nepal, has been operating in Nepal since 1991. Currently, Swisscontact Nepal has six development programmes across all seven provinces,
with a well-functioning country office that employs over 145 staff members.

Quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training for Youth (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 Provincial 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 Officer

Numbers: 1 (One)
Location: Pokhara, Gandaki Province with frequent field visits
Reports to: Province Manager, Gandaki Province
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 Officer is responsible for coordination and collaboration with local government and TVET schools as per the designed Yearly Plan of Operation (YPO). The Technical Officer collaborates with chosen TVET schools to accompany them to improve their performances towards meeting the national quality standards. Key roles of the Technical Officer-Province are also aligned with the key tasks in each Yearly Plan of Operations (YPOs).
The Technical Officer works closely with the Province Manager and Technical Coordinator. The Technical Officer reports to the Province Manager.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

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

Adhere relevant policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and guidelines of Swisscontact Nepal (Financial and Operation 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 to Swisscontact Nepal).

2. Technical Assistance on Programme Implementation

•  Collaborate with TVET schools to accompany them to improve their performances towards meeting the national quality standards.
•  Facilitate the development of TVET schools strategic plans in close collaboration with the respective school principals and other staff as adequate.
•  Support TVET schools to plan capacity building of their existing instructional and managerial staff.
• Support local government to come together and establish a mechanism for the joint funding of the TVET schools.
• Support MoSD/E (especially Project Coordination and Implementation Unit (PCIU-P) in planning the project activities.
•  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 at province level and local level.
•  Facilitate inputs of actors and stakeholders of QualiTY and the team members for various provincial level events and prepare event reports.

3. Planning, Monitoring, and Reporting

•  Support Province Manager in terms of programme planning, budgeting, and formulation of the assigned province.
• Implements the Monitoring and Evaluation plan with given procedures and tools for the quality assurance of the project activities at province and local levels.
• Organise orientation to the TVET schools and local governments regarding the accreditation procedures in close collaboration with the Technical Coordinator-Province.
•  Organise capacity building activities for personnel from local governments in close collaboration with Technical Coordinator-Province.
• Support Technical Coordinator-Province to develop province-focused capacity building plans for the government staff in collaboration with MoSD/E and facilitate the implementation of the same.
• Support Technical Coordinator-Province to develop capacity building plan for the managerial and instructional staff of TVET schools in collaboration with province and local governments.
• 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 Technical Coordinator-Province to prepare key meetings, workshops and related activities and support in project outreach activities at local and province level.
• Lead regular monitoring and follow-up of the project activities assuring the qualities through close collaboration with PCIU-P and/or joint monitoring team at assigned province.
• Prepare field visit reports including feedback from the field experience to the project management and its stakeholders.

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.
• Collaborate with respective local governments, TVET schools and private sector stakeholders/associations to implement.
•  Support to strengthen the coordination with other SDC inhouse projects’ team and other likeminded project/programmes in the respective province to create a synergetic result.
•  Be proactive on establishing a good network among the stakeholders to increase the ownership and to advocate for the QualiTY at province and local level.

5. Financial Monitoring, Administrative and Logistic

• Support to Finance & Admin Officer to carryout all operations required for authorising and effectuating expenditures. This includes making calculations, requesting funds, collecting, checking supporting justifying documents, as required.

6. Other Specific Responsibilities

•  Professionally discharge 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.

Qualification, Experience, and Skills

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in relevant field (Education/Management/Business Studies/Development Studies).
•  Minimum of two years of work experience (including at least one year of experience in project implementation and/or monitoring particularly in TVET programmes/projects) in relevant field (i.e., development cooperation and/or TVET sector programmes).
• 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 work and Internet use.
•  Willingness and ability to travel frequently for field visits.

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.
• Knowledge on development and gender and social inclusion issues.
• Competency in training and facilitating various programmes.
•  Respect and sensitivity towards cultural, gender, ethnicity, and religious diversity.
• Focuses on impact and results and responds positively to feedback.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
• Demonstrates ability for self-development and initiative-taking.
• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity.
•  Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork.
• Informed and transparent decision making.
• Client oriented, internally, and externally.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Nepali languages are a must.

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/4c908abd2dae425ba9ce56f94efbf5be

The deadline for submission of the application is 11:59 PM Nepali time, 19 March 2025.

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. Priority will be given to local candidates.

To Apply Visit: app.smartsheet.com