Light Manufacturing Sector Manager

Light Manufacturing Sector Manager

Location: Kathmandu

Introduction

Nepal In Business (NiB) is a five-year program (July 2024 – 2029) implemented by DAI Global UK and funded by FCDO. The primary goal of NiB is to unlock economic prosperity by driving growth, expanding businesses domestically and internationally and addressing income poverty in Nepal. The Program will provide technical support to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to enhance their organisational effectiveness through improved management and productivity, thereby making them globally competitive and helping them to grow and connect in the global value chain. This will thereby lead towards achieving business growth and creating new jobs. NiB will also engage with government to create a more conductive business environment and crowd-in private investment. NiB will promote more inclusive business models and contribute towards poverty reduction by prioritising jobs for women and people from disadvantaged groups. NiB will adopt a firm focused comprehensive approach to enhance productivity and competitiveness of targeted private sectors in five priority sectors located in the three provinces and industrial corridors to make them globally competitive.

Duration

NiB runs for an overall period of 5 years, from 15th July 2024 to 15th July 2029. The Light Manufacturing Sector Manager is initially required from 14th January 2025 as a full time position until 13th January 2029, with the possibility of extension as the programme progresses.

key tasks and responsibilities

The Light Manufacturing Sector Manager will assist NiB’s activities in Light Manufacturing value chain (e.g. natural fibres and garments) by managing partnerships and implementing activities of grantee companies. They will work in close collaboration with private companies to enhance their competitiveness, productivity, resilience, operational efficiency, and promote export capabilities. They will engage with public, private, and business membership organisations to streamline businesses groups, encourage innovations, support product and service marketing, and establish linkages throughout international markets.

Responsibilities

•  Manage partnerships with private companies in Light Manufacturing sector that NiB is collaborating with.
•  Oversee and monitor the execution of activities for grantee companies within Light Manufacturing value chain and ensure compliance with FCDO regulations and NiB guidelines.
• Engage with public, private, and business associations to identify and explore ways to address business gaps.
• Collaboration with other sector managers to align enterprise development strategies within the overarching programme’s goals.
•  Provide guidance to grantee companies in market systems development and value chain approaches to support the growth and adopt best practices and optimise their operations.
• Prepare comprehensive reports on the progress of activities, successes, and challenges encountered during implementation.
• Support Grants team in collective evidence from Grantees including MEL, GEDSI, and financial verification where necessary.
• Work with enterprises to understand and identify policy hurdles. Working closely with the Policy and Business Enabling Reform Manager to advance policy reforms.
•  Potential delivery of Technical Assistance to companies as appropriate.
•  Any other activities assigned to the role by the Team Leader.

Qualifications

•  Bachelor’s degree required, degree in economics, management or related field preferred.
•  5 years of relevant professional work experience is necessary for candidates with a master’s degree, and 8 years of relevant technical experience is required for candidates with a bachelor’s degree.
•  Proven experience working in the market systems development approach, value chain approach, and private sector development is a plus.
•  Sound understanding of the private sector (market, stakeholders and policy regulations) in Nepal.
•  Experience in implementing donor-funded projects for SME development and strengthening activities involving multiple partners and host country counterparts (preferably with FCDO).
• Strong interpersonal, written, oral communication, and presentation skills in the Nepali and English language.

supervision and location

The role will report on a regular basis to the Private Sector Partnership Director and be based out of the Nepal in Business Office in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Prepared by: Kate Heinrich – Jones, (Country Programme Manager)

Approved by: Joe Phillips (Programme Director)

Closing date – 1st December 2024