Program Officer

The Safer Migration (SaMi) Programme Phase IV (2024-2028) is a bilateral initiative of the governments of Nepal and Switzerland designed to support the consolidation of the 12 years of partnership in safer migration, the institutionalization of safer migration related services as well as the strengthening of the capacities of the three levels of government to effectively take over the complete management, financing and quality assurance of all the programme components. Helvetas Nepal provides technical assistance to the programme on behalf of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Helvetas Nepal invites applications from competent and committee Nepali citizens for the following positions:

Program Officer

Program: Safer Migration (SaMi) Programme

Location: Dadheldhura with frequent visits to other responsible districts of Sudurpashchim

Reporting to: Provincial Program Manager (PPM) – Sudurpashchim, Safer Migration (SaMi) Programme

Job purpose

This position is responsible for providing technical assistance to the respective local governments to implement the Safer Migration (SaMi) Programme as required by the program document. The position will be responsible for capacity building of the concerned stakeholders, including local governments, and contributing to the institutionalization and sustainability of the safer migration program. The position holder should maintain excellent coordination and communication among all concerned stakeholders at the local level for the effective execution of the program activities.

Additionally, the position holder will closely coordinate and collaborate with the Reintegration of Returnee Migrant Workers (ReMi) Project, and other like-minded projects, to ensure coherence and synergies between the projects, particularly for institutionalization of best practices and cross-referrals of key services.

Major duties and responsibilities

1. Program implementation and capacity development

• Provide technical assistance to the local and provincial government to achieve the expected outcomes and outputs as stipulated in the program document;
• Assess the needs of local governments, and develop a capacity development plan;
• Conduct capacity-building activities for the staff of Migrant Resource Centers (MRCs), sub-MRCs, Employment Service Centers (ESCs), and returnee volunteers on foreign employment at local and district levels in coordination with the Provincial Program Manager, Capacity Development Specialist, Coordinator-Access to Justice, and others as relevant;
• Enhance capacities of concerned local governments/elected representatives through training, coaching, mentoring, etc.;
• Support concerned local governments to develop their annual plan, budget, and work plan, and ensure their effective implementation, monitoring, and reporting;
• Support the Capacity Development Specialist in developing customized training curriculum/packages, including manuals and materials, based on field experiences;
• Contribute to the institutionalization of safe migration programs in line with the local context as mandated by the Local Government Operation Act (LGOA), 2017, and related policies;
• Capacity building for effective mobilization of returnee volunteers and returnee migrants’ networks to promote safer migration initiatives in concerned local governments and among civil societies;
• Provide technical assistance to local governments to develop and implement guidelines, procedures, and manuals on migration services;
• Support the strengthening of the case referral system;
• Support the functioning of the Program Implementation Committee (PIC), and local-level thematic committee (based on LGOA) in respective local governments and conduct meetings with local governments as required;
• Be responsible for the quality assurance of services provided by MRCs and migration-related activities of ESCs;
• Provide coaching and mentoring to the program team members and other relevant personnel at the local level;
• Coordinate with the Health unit of LGs and psychosocial counselors and psychosocial supervisors for psychosocial counseling services;
• Manage and monitor program expenditures under his/her portfolio and take necessary action to ensure that expenses stay within acceptable limits;
• In coordination with the Provincial Program Manager, contribute to the smooth exit from the technical support provided to the local governments as stipulated in the program document.

2. Monitoring, evaluation, documentation and reporting

• Monitor the quality of program activities through regular field visits;
• Provide required information/data to the Sr. Monitoring and Evaluation Officer;
• Develop a monitoring plan and ensure its timely implementation;
• Support the Provincial Program Manager for proper documentation of program experiences, best practices, success stories, and lessons learned by the respective local governments and districts;
• Develop a quarterly review plan and ensure the review of progress together with the concerned local governments and stakeholders;
• Facilitate engagement of the relevant local governments and non-government stakeholders in program monitoring as provisioned in the program document;
• Ensure quality reporting, documentation, and dissemination at local levels.

3. Communication, coordination, representation and networking

• Consult with the Provincial Program Manager and keep him/her updated about the relevant/important issues and information related to the program;
• Work with concerned local governments and other government institutions as appropriate;
• Establish strong communication and coordination with the District Program Coordinator (GoN);
• Maintain regular communication and collaboration with other Program Officers and the inhouse SaMi team as well as stakeholders to contribute to achieving the goals and objectives of the program;
• Work in close collaboration with the Capacity Development Specialist, Coordinator- Access to Justice, Sr. Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Sr. Program Officer (GESI, MRC and Communication) and other team members as necessary;
• Represent SaMi in the capacity of Program Officer in relevant seminars, meetings, and workshops at different levels as required;
• Coordinate and collaborate with the Reintegration of Returnee Migrant Workers project (ReMi) and other like-minded projects, to ensure coherence and synergies between the projects, particularly for institutionalization of best practices and cross-referrals of key services;
• Coordinate with relevant stakeholders for smooth implementation of the program at local and provincial levels;
• Ensure a strong linkage between the MRCs, ESCs, National partners, and the National Migrant Resource Center.

4. Compliance with policies, guidelines, and manuals

• Adhere to relevant policies, procedures, regulations, and guidelines of HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation (Personnel, Financial, Administrative policies; Security Response Guide; Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Guide; Sexual Harassment & Mobbing Policy; Code of Conduct Against Corruption, etc.) and other specific policies applicable to the SaMi program;
• Ensure conflict-sensitive program management at all levels;
• Compliance with the Government of Nepal (GoN) and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) policies and approaches as relevant and required.

5. Other specific responsibilities

• Undertake other tasks assigned by the Line Manager;
• Be proactive in bringing innovations to the program and taking new initiatives;
• Enhance knowledge and understanding of migration-related issues within Nepal and globally.

Job requirements

A. Minimum education attainment: At least a bachelor’s degree in social science or relevant field.

B. Minimum professional experience: Minimum 3 years of work experience in project/program implementation in the field of migration.

C. Required competencies:

• Good understanding of human rights and migration issues
• Experiences of working with the local and provincial governments and non-governmental organizations
• Ability to train and coach the staff of MRCs, ESCs, returnee migrants’ networks, returnee volunteers, and community groups
• Good understanding of issues related to gender, social equity, poverty alleviation, conflict-sensitive program management, and governance
• Result-oriented, ability to manage multiple tasks and maintain deadlines
• Commitment towards gender equality, social inclusion, and poverty reduction
• Self-motivated and an excellent team player with a demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural team
• Proficiency in writing and speaking in Nepali and English
• Proficiency in using office application software, ability to produce, understand, and analyze standard database reports, and efficiency in using communication applications

Interested and committed candidates who meet the above requirements are requested to visit our website at https://apply.helvetasnepal.org and submit their application through the online portal. Detailed Job Description is available on the website.

Any telephone inquiries/and or attempts to apply undue influence will result disqualification of candidate. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the further screening process. Helvetas Nepal reserves the right to reject any or all applications without assigning any reasons.

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

Deadline for submission of application: 26 January 2025

Source: Kantipur Dainik, 11 January, 2024