Governance Adviser

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.

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 and educational details, experience-based segment and the behaviours and technical/ professional skills-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

Main purpose of job:

Main purpose of this Country Based Staff (CBS) position is to serve as Grade 7 Governance Adviser (GA) for the British Embassy Kathmandu. The role will lead governance and political economy advice on BEK’s support to green growth, private sector development, and climate change and resilience.

The Adviser will work closely with thematic experts in those areas to ensure that BEK’s portfolio delivers on cross-cutting priorities of supporting the implementation of federalism, and promoting an open and inclusive society. The Adviser will also provide strategic and technical governance advice in support of BEK’s influencing goals and will engage externally with state and non-state actors with a specific focus on provincial and local governments in Madesh, Lumbini and Karnali provinces, BEK’s priority provinces.

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) leads the UK’s relationship with Nepal including diplomatic engagement, defence co-operation, development support, and trade.
The BEK Country Plan has five campaign goals for 2023-2025:

• The UK, will support a more open and democratic society in Nepal resulting in more representative, inclusive and effective governance at all three levels of government.
• Our recruitment of Gurkhas to the British Army will strengthen UK security, and our support to capable security and rule of law institutions that protect the rights of all people will strengthen Nepal’s stability.
• The UK’s partnership will support Nepal’s transition to sustainable lower-middle income country (LMIC) status through facilitating inclusive and greener growth, increased investment and more open trade that provides opportunities for UK firms.
• Through UK influence and support, Nepal will implement the ambitious climate targets adopted at COP26 that will reduce emissions, build resilience, and put Nepal on a path to a green recovery.
• The UK promotes girls’ education and the rights of women and girls in Nepal.

Work in these five areas is underpinned by cross-cutting outcomes on federalism, inclusion, and data and strategic learning. Nepal is a key country in the Indo-Pacific Tilt, and BEK’s work is being prioritised as part of this agenda. You will become part of a collegial Embassy team, and be responsible for a rewarding, engaging and transformational portfolio of work.

The Green Growth portfolio – which this Post-Holder will support – includes our economics and private sector ODA portfolio, the UK-Nepal British trade, investment and prosperity work and the UK’s engagement on climate and resilience.

The Adviser will coordinate and work closely with the Governance Team that is part of the Governance and Social Development Group and enjoy peer support from three other Governance Advisers and a Governance Team Leader. The Adviser will also work closely with the Evidence and Knowledge Team and the Politics and Partnerships Team.

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.

About you:

This is a stretching and exciting position that requires a creative, knowledgeable and pro-active governance adviser with a deep understanding of Nepal’s political dynamics (state, non-state and the private sector) and governance constraints and opportunities for Nepal’s inclusive growth and economic development.

He/she must have enthusiasm and authority to effectively support and influence engagement across the Embassy and to build an extended network of contacts within the private sector and across the Government of Nepal at the federal, provincial and local levels; Civil Society Organizations and expert organisations; international development partners to help address and coordinate effective design; delivery and monitoring of development programmes and policy influencing.

We reserve the right to review, revise or amend the roles and responsibilities from time to time reflecting the changing needs of business.

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

• Leading governance analysis and advice to understand the institutional and political barriers and drivers for more inclusive and green growth, private sector development and climate adaptation and systems strengthening especially in light of Nepal’s middle-income transition and the ongoing implementation of federalism.
• Leading on governance advice to UK’s economic development and investment portfolio in Nepal, especially in relation to how to most effectively take forward new Green Growth programmes and policy engagements.
• Leading on governance advice to UK’s work on tackling climate change and strengthening climate and disaster resilience and shock responsive social protection systems in Nepal, especially in relation to how to most effectively take forward programme and policy engagements.
• In coordination with the Governance Team, provide advice on maximising BEK’s contributions to support implementation of federalism, and promoting an open and inclusive society; and
• Lead advice on opportunities to support politically smart, locally led anti-corruption work and advising on BEK’s approach on anti-corruption.

Language requirements:
Language: Nepali and English
Level of language required: Fluent

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
A comprehensive L+D offer is available to all FCDO staff and in this role, will include specific opportunities for technical training through the FCDO Governance Cadre. The successful applicant will receive L&D support to accredit to the FCDO Governance Cadre

Working patterns:
This is a full-time, permanent role.

Any other information (or specific local Post requirements):
Please review the Governance Cadre Technical Competency Framework for answering the Behavioural, Technical/Professional Questions.
Please use the STAR method to describe your example (for guidance : A brief guide to competencies – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Essential qualifications, skills and experience 

Essential on arrival:

• Demonstration of expertise and working experience on governance, including, but not limited to applied political economy analysis and Inclusive Growth and Economic Development.
• Solid governance expertise with experience of advising on and delivering ODA programmes in collaboration with host governments, the private sector and other development partners.
• Proven ability to apply Political Economy Analysis to address development problems and challenges.
• Proven ability to work across multiple areas in a flexible manner, identifying 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.
• Prior knowledge of private sector and/or climate change/disaster resilience issues in developing countries and Nepal, including the political-economy of public and private sector reform and how they interface.
• Experience of engaging on policy development, whilst coordinating with multiple stakeholders across a larger organisation and with external stakeholders.
• A strong demonstration of the application of the Governance Cadre technical competencies at expert Level

Key Technical Competencies for the job:

• Governance Core Competency: Applied Governance and Political Economy Analysis
• Governance Specialist Competency: Inclusive Growth and Economic Development
• Governance Specialist Competency: Inclusive and Accountable Politics
• Governance Specialist Competency: Anti-Corruption and Illicit Finance

Required behaviours: Seeing the Big Picture, Leadership
Grade: Grade 7 (G7)
Type of Position: Full-time, Permanent
Working hours per week: 36
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
Start Date: 1 April 2024

Other benefits and conditions of employment 

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

Basic Salary will be 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.

This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCO 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 1

Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. 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.

• Complete the Online Application Form.
• Complete the Experience, Behaviours, Technical/Professional skills-based segment in the Online Application Form.
• 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.

Please go through the technical competency framework before completing the technical questions: FCDO technical competency frameworks – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) for the Governance Cadre of FCDO.

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.

We will accept only online applications by 01st March 2024 – 23:55 (Kathmandu Time Zone)

Internal candidates applying for this position need to inform their current line managers, else the applications will not be considered.

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 appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, educational and professional.

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.

Application deadline: 1 March 2024