Information Technology (IT) Manager

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 has been operating in Nepal since 1991. Currently, Swisscontact Nepal has six development programmes across all seven provinces. 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.

Information Technology (IT) Manager (Product Owner / Sr. Business Analyst)

Numbers: 1 (One)
Location: Project Support Unit Office, Sanothimi, Bhaktapur
Reports to: Team Leader
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

We are seeking an experienced IT Manager to lead the digitalization efforts for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nepal. The IT Manager is responsible to manage the digitalisation initiatives to be undertaken
by the QualiTY Project by extending Technical Assistance to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT), Social Development/Education Ministries at the Provinces and Selected TVET schools. The IT Manager also requires mobilising the short-term IT experts (e.g. Business Analysts Solution Architects, DevOps Engineers and Software Developers) in close collaboration with the respective divisions in the government institutions mentioned above, and also includes the overall planning, implementation and monitoring of the digitalisation component of the QualiTY project.
The IT Manager works closely with the project team under the Project Support Units at Federal and Provinces and reports to the project Team Leader. Nepal We create opportunities

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

1. Component/Project Management

• Provide technical support to the government stakeholders (like MoEST, CTEVT, MoSD/Es, Municipalities, TVET Schools) to execute the digitalisation component as envisioned in the project document.
•  Support Project Support Units (PSU) team and Project Implementation and Coordination Unit in both federal and provinces to implement the Yearly Plan of Operations (YPOs) concerning the digitalisation
  interventions.
• Collaborate closely with MoEST, CTEVT, Provincial Ministries, and TVET schools to gather requirements and align digital initiatives with the sector’s needs.
• Oversee the planning, execution, and monitoring of all the project interventions related to the digitalisation component of the project.
•  Develop timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure the timely completion of interventions under the component.

2. Development and Operationalization of the TVET IT Framework

• Provide technical assistance to MoEST and CTEVT for developing the TVET IT Framework, which would include system architecture, interoperability protocols, and data governance protocol for data storage, data security, data sharing (including through APIs), access management and data retrieval.
• Collaborate with the MoEST, CTEVT, and other government stakeholders to gain consensus on framework components, ensuring alignment with sector needs and government objectives.
•  Set up and oversee the operationalisation of the Central TVET Data Repository System, ensuring efficient data collection, management, and interoperability between TVET institutions and government entities.
•  Provide technical guidance to develop backend systems that operationalise the TVET IT Framework, ensuring integration with existing data repositories and other digital platforms.

3. Product Backlog and Requirement Management

• Develop and maintain a prioritised product backlog for the digitalisation component, breaking down high level requirements into user stories and defining acceptance criteria.
• Align product backlog with the project’s strategic objectives

4. Coordination and Oversight of Outsourced Software Development Activities

• Procure and manage outsourced development teams, providing guidance on requirements and reviewing deliverables to ensure compliance with project standards and the TVET IT Framework.
• Coordinate activities across solution architecture, DevOps, QA, and UI/UX to maintain project timelines and quality expectations.

5. Quality Assurance, Pilot Testing and Training Facilitation

• Oversee quality assurance processes, coordinating with QA teams to ensure digital systems meet functional requirements and quality standards.
•  Organise pilot testing and user training for TVET stakeholders, ensuring the effective operationalisation of digital solutions in schools and government offices.

6. Digital Infrastructure Assessment and Support for Schools

•  Assess the digital infrastructure needs of TVET schools, providing recommendations to enable the effective use of School Management Software (SMS) that digitises core business processes.
•  Work with provincial and local government representatives to prioritise and support schools’ infrastructure improvements, ensuring readiness for SMS deployment and long-term digital capability.

7. Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

•  Develop a periodic plan and budget of the component in collaboration with Province Managers and M&E Specialist to reflect the interventions.
• Establish metrics for assessing the effectiveness of digital initiatives to be undertaken by the project.
•  Conduct regular monitoring and assess the project progress and challenges, against the Yearly Plan of Operation (YPOs).
•  Support KMC Manager and M&E Specialist on Communication, Knowledge Management and reporting.
• Support the Procurement Officer to identify cost-effective solutions and execute the procurements (products and services) under the component.

8. Compliance with 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).

9. Other Specific Responsibilities

•  Professionally discharge other tasks assigned by the Team Leader.
•  Be proactive in bringing innovation and taking new initiatives 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.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the IT industry with at least 3 years as a Business Analyst, ideally in a digital transformation project in the Education sector or a large-scale IT project.
•  Candidates with previous work experience working as a Product Owner would be given priority.
•  Proven experience managing outsourced development teams and vendor management.
•  Strong background in digitalisation, especially in public sector or educational settings, with a solid understanding of interoperability in complex systems.

Technical Skills:

•  Proficiency in software development, project management tools, and IT infrastructure management.
• Proficiency in Agile methodologies, with the ability to develop and manage product backlogs, user stories, and sprint planning.
•  Excellent communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to gather requirements and align diverse stakeholders.
•  Familiarity with solution architecture principles, DevOps, and quality assurance practices.

Knowledge of E-Learning:

•  Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), online education tools, and digital content creation.

Leadership Skills:

• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders.

Problem-Solving:

• Ability to troubleshoot technical issues and develop innovative solutions.

Language Skills:

•  Proficiency in English and Nepali; additional local languages are a plus.

Preferred Certifications:

•  Certification in Product Ownership (e.g., Certified Scrum Product Owner-CSPO) or Project Management (e.g., PMP) is preferred.

Working Conditions and Environment

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

Application Procedure

Please submit the online Job Application Form by clicking the link below. https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/996fef5348914207930ade7a5cd926fb The deadline for form submission is 11:59 PM Nepali time, 25 December 2024.
The position is subject to the bilateral project signature between the Government of Nepal and the Government of Switzerland. 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 solicitation that may lead to automatic disqualification of the candidate.
Swisscontact Nepal promotes workforce diversity and applies positive discrimination to candidates from discriminated groups (Women, Dalit, Janajati, Madhesi/Terai, and other minority communities), thus
encourage people to apply from these backgrounds.