Program Officer

 ORGANIZATION BRIEF

Nepal Development Society (NeDS) is a leading research & Development NGO established in 2013. It has three offices located in Kathmandu, Bharatpur, and Pokhara. It focuses on policy, planning, and development with a focus on social, economic, health, and environmental issues.NeDS has evolved as a multi-disciplinary research and development organization with its innovative, technical, management, and research competencies. It delivers quality services to a diverse spectrum of organizations ranging from Governments, Bilateral Agencies, multi-lateral agencies, Development Agencies, I/NGOs, Academic Institutions, Research Firms, and private sector Organizations.

 JOB SUMMARY

The Program Officer (She/he) will play a key role in organizing Research Action Partner Meetings, Technical Advisory Group meetings, and supervising research assistants. The Program Officer will engage in project planning and management, research and analysis, advocacy and partnership building, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, and community engagement to drive positive impact and change in the lives of migrant workers. She/he will be responsible for assisting the program manager and program coordinator in the successful completion of the project.

 REPORTING MECHANISM

 KEY ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Project Implementation and Coordination

Contribute to the development and execution of project plans, ensuring clear objectives, timelines, and deliverables. Organize Research Action Partner Meetings and technical Advisory Group meetings, and supervise research assistants. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify key project components and milestones, actively participating in the mapping of trafficking issues and analyzing root causes. Monitor and evaluate project progress, adjust strategies as needed to ensure goals are met, and actively support the program team in preparing monthly updates. Collaborate with the Project Coordinator and Project Manager to ensure timely and high-quality delivery of training, consultation, research, and analysis. Oversee the day-to-day implementation, documentation, and operational aspects of project activities, ensuring alignment with project goals and objectives. Involve migrant communities in the development and implementation of initiatives, ensuring a participatory approach.

Advocacy and Partnership

• Build and maintain strong partnerships to strengthen NeDS’s coordination with governmental agencies, NGOs, migrant networks, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders.
•  Represent NeDS at external meetings, share lessons learned from the organization’s work, and actively participate in relevant forums.
•  Advocate for policy changes and legal reforms addressing the vulnerabilities of migrant workers based on project evidence

Research and Publication

•  Support the effective execution of research activities by actively participating in fieldwork, including hands-on involvement in data collection and cleaning processes.
• Supervise and provide guidance to research assistants and enumerators, ensuring the quality and integrity of gathered data.
•  Facilitate the dissemination of research findings through various channels, such as conferences, seminars, and article publications in reputable journals.
•  Collaborate closely with the research team to maintain high standards in the research process, emphasizing accuracy and adherence to established protocols.

Documentation and Reporting

•  Regularly report to the Project Coordinator on project activities, progress, challenges, and opportunities, ensuring transparency and effective communication.
•  Support the completion of internal reporting requirements and contribute to reports, providing detailed insights into project progress and challenges.
•  Contribute to the development and regular revision of project work plans for staff and partners, ensuring clarity of objectives and alignment with overall project goals

Communication and Information Sharing

•  Facilitate cross-organizational learning and sharing by actively participating in internal news updates and outcome-harvesting workshops.
•  Effectively communicate project activities, results, and lessons learned within the organization, contributing to biannual reporting and supporting a culture of transparency.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Collaborate with the MEAL Officer to monitor the impact of NeDS’s work, participating in debriefings and lesson-learning sessions with partners.
•  Facilitate critical project reflection and reviews to inform decision-making, ensuring that learnings are systematically disseminated within the NeDS community of practice.
• Maintain a comprehensive database of project outcomes, contributing to evidence-based decision-making.
•  Conduct in-depth research, mapping the scope of trafficking issues, identifying trends, and analyzing root causes.
• Stay updated on relevant legal frameworks, policies, and best practices related to migrantworkers’ rights and modern slavery, contributing to a robust evidence base for project interventions.

Capacity Building

• Develop and implement training programs for relevant stakeholders to increase awareness and build capacity in identifying and combating modern slavery among migrant workers.

General

•  Act as a key member of the organization, providing programmatic support across various projects.
•  Undertake tasks as assigned by the line manager, which may include specific programmatic-related assignments or broader organizational responsibilities.
•  Provide programmatic and field-level expertise to strengthen the development of concepts and proposals for new funding opportunities, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Collaborate with colleagues from different departments to ensure effective integration of project objectives across the projects.
•  Work collaboratively with the leadership team in organizational discussions to refine and enhance overall project and organization efficiency.

  QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Education, Management, social work, Sociology, and relevant disciplines.

• At least three years of experience in project implementation, operation, coordination, and reporting in national/international/UN bodies/ Government
•  Hands-on participation in diverse fieldwork environments for data collection and cleaning.
•  Successful supervision of research assistants and enumerators, ensuring data quality.
•  Proven track record of disseminating research findings through conferences and journal publications.
• Collaborative engagement with research teams to maintain high standards and adherence to protocols.
• Excellent communication and advocacy skills, with the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.
•  Experience in capacity building, knowledge management, and training programs.
•  Demonstrate diplomacy in building relationships and working with diverse cultures, audiences, sensitive situations, and subject matter

•  Experience in managing working groups consisting of different partners.
• Proven track in the areas of research and publication related to immigrant workers and health issues.
• Experience in the internet, MS Office package, data management, and analysis software such as SPSS, Kobotool box, and Google Forms.
•  Proficient in reading, writing, and speaking in Nepali and Englishlanguage.
•  Honesty, transparent, collaboration and a learning attitude

•  MPhil and PhD is preferred
•  Prior working experience in research-based projects with academic institutions consortium.
• Familiarity with international and national legal frameworks related to human rights and labor rights.
• Strong knowledge of issues related to migrant workers, labor migration, human trafficking, and health and safety issues of migrant workers.

• Competitive salary, provident fund, and festival allowance.
• Medical and accidental insurance.
• Career growth opportunity.

 To apply: Please submit your CV and Cover letter, with two references and expected monthly salary at vacancy@nedsnepal.org.np, mention    Position in the email subject
Deadline for applications: 31^th January 2024 5.00 pm. We will only get in touch if you have been shortlisted 

Disclaimer:

Nepal Development Society (NeDS) encourages diversity of genders, races, ethnicities, profiles, and statuses among its human resources. Therefore, it complies with the principle of non-discrimination throughout its recruitment process.

Nepal Development Society (NeDS) will not charge any fees for the recruitment process, including shortlisting, interviews, tests, or training. It reserves the right to accept and reject applications.