UNDP Jobs - 52287- Government MEDPA Support Specialist (GSS) NPPP II

Government MEDPA Support Specialist (GSS) NPPP II - Open to Nepalese Nationals Only - NEX project

Location :

MEDEP District with Frequent Travel to Assigned MEDEP and MEDPA Districts, NEPAL

Type of Contract :

Other

Starting Date :

01-Mar-2015

Application Deadline :

02-Jan-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Other

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The goal of the Microenterprise Development Programme (MEDEP) is to contribute to the poverty reduction and employment generation efforts of the Government of Nepal (GoN) through micro-entrepreneurship development. This approach is in line with the strategy of the GoN’s periodic plans.

During the fourth phase of MEDEP, 73,000 new micro entrepreneurs will be created (30,000 with MEDEP resources, 32,000 by MEDPA and 11,000 Local Bodies) with particular focus on supporting households that are living below the national poverty line, women and the socially excluded, by strengthening the national system to support the establishment of micro-enterprise start-ups. This will be achieved by building the capacities of government at central and local levels to develop and implement policies for the support of micro-entrepreneurship, as well as by strengthening access to markets, finance and business development services.

Building on its experience of 14 years of providing support to micro-entrepreneurs in Nepal, MEDEP will create micro-enterprises indirectly, by mentoring, supporting and strengthening the GoN’s Micro Enterprise Development for Poverty Alleviation (MEDPA). The programme will be implemented in partnership with central and local government institutions, as well as by supporting non-government and private sector organisations. MEDEP’s outcome therefore will not be limited to just creating new entrepreneurs. Its main contribution will instead be to endow Nepal with a sustainable institutional setup for the delivery and support of entrepreneurship even after the end of the programme.

MEDEP will also support peace and stability in Nepal, by significantly contributing to addressing poverty and social exclusion, which are among the root causes of conflict in the country.

Duties and Responsibilities

The APSO Government Support Specialist will assist the Intervention Managers Components (IMC) 1 and 2 through Area Programme Support Manager to implement the components at the district level, developing plans and programmes, and supporting institutional capacity development of local government and agencies. S/he will also be the focal point for coordinating direct micro-entrepreneurship development in the MEDEP supported districts.

The incumbent will have the following specific duties and job responsibilities:

Support Intervention Manager Component 1 (IMC 1) and IMC 2 to develop a clear strategic vision for Components 1 and 2, updating the Components’ intervention logic and monitoring progress on the achievement of the Components’ objectives;
Mentor local District Development Committees (DDCs), Village Development Committees (VDCs), Municipalities and local communities in the delivery of a successful Micro-Enterprise Development for Poverty Alleviation (MEDPA), a Government of Nepal (GoN), Ministry of Industry (MoI) poverty alleviation programme by pooling funds from different public sources including DDCs, Municipalities and VDCs block grants;
Support DDCs to establish local dialogue platforms;
Carry out readiness audit of those DDCs that qualify as mature for MEDEP indirect support, applying the criteria agreed by the National Programme Manager (NPM);
Consult with and receive technical guidance from Chief Technical Adviser;
Support DDCs to carry out adequate procurement of Micro-Enterprise Development Service providers (MED-SPs), so to guarantee quality, efficiency and flexibility. These may follow a national tender process to pre-select service providers and ultimately deployment in districts;
Within the context of the defined standard, develop the capacity of the Micro-Enterprise Development Units (MEUs) in DDCs, the district level offices of Department of Cottage and Small Industries (DCSI) and Cottage and Small Industries Development Board (CSIDB) to promote Micro-Enterprise Development (MED) and MEDPA across government agencies and local offices by organising events and training services;
Ensure that MEDPA activities at the district level are planned and implemented in a gender sensitive and inclusive manner and that all implementing partners are sensitized and trained in gender and social inclusion;
Conduct workshops, meetings and training with the involvement of VDC, Municipalities, DDCs and other stakeholders to generate resources at local level for employment creation through micro-enterprise development;
Provide policy advisory to the MEDEP IMC 2 and the DDC/DCSI and CSIDB on improving policies, regulations and guidelines for the successful implementation of MEDPA;
Perform any other duties assigned by the IMC 1 and IMC 2;
Support district research organisations to produce quality research that is relevant to micro-entrepreneurship policies, within the framework of a successful commercial strategy;
Help DDCs make use of evidence in improving policy making and dialoguing with the private sector;
Mentor district and local micro-enterprise organisations to advocate effectively with government, by building their capacity to identify, research, present issues to government and involve their membership base in the process;
Ensure that MEDEP activities are planned and implemented in a gender sensitive and inclusive manner and that all implementing partners are sensitized and trained in gender and social inclusion;
Provide policy advisory to the NPM of MEDEP and Government of Nepal (GoN) on improving policies, regulations and guidelines for the successful implementation of MEDPA;
Perform any other duties assigned by the programme management.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional competencies:

Project Management and learning:

Shares knowledge and experience.
Good understanding of project management including administration and logistics support.

Leadership and Self-Management:

Positive, constructive attitude;
Strong oral and written communication skills;
Exhibits openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Ability to work and act under pressure with tight dealines and with discretion in politically sensitive environment with a minimum of comfort;
Ready to work independently;
Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;
Solicits feedback from staff about the impact of his/her own behavior.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

At least a Bachelors Degree in business studies, economics, social science or relevant fields;
Master's Degree will be an advantage.

Experience:

S/he should posses minimum of five years of work experience;
Master's degree and seven years of work experience in the field of policy analysis, micro enterprise development or related fields;
Possess a clear understanding of the basic concepts of micro-enterprise development, market-driven development strategies, and of enhancing sustainable livelihoods;
Substantial level of experience in policy and programme development in different aspects of micro-enterprise development such as micro-credit, marketing, appropriate technology and good managerial experiences at both field as well as national levels;
Strong background in management, a sound knowledge of institutional capacity development and an awareness of theories of organizational change.

Language:

Fluency in both spoken and written Nepali and English languages is required.

Computer Skills:

Must be well versed in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, etc. in computer;
Typing skills in Nepali language is an added advantage.