Antecedentes

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.
 

Deberes y responsabilidades

Under overall supervision of National Project Manager, the APSO MDS will assist the Intervention Managers Component 1 and 2 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. S/he will have the following specific duties and job responsibilities:
  • Support IMC1, IMC4 and IMC5 to develop a clear strategic vision for Component 1, 4 and 5, updating the Components’ intervention logic and monitoring progress on the achievement of the Components’ objectives.
  • Support the District Micro-Entrepreneurs Groups Associations to develop credible business plans, governance structures and membership offers to recruit new members;
  • Drawing from the experience accumulated by MEDEP, itemise the technological solutions developed over the years (under the appropriate technology component), develop new solutions and package them as a deliverable service for micro-entrepreneurs on a cost-recovery basis. Embed these service packages in the membership offer of the district membership associations;
  • Support the District Micro-Entrepreneurs Groups Associations to develop relationships with micro-finance institutions to extend access to finance to members;
  • Drawing from the experience accumulated by MEDEP, support district micro-entrepreneurs associations to market financial products to members. Embed these service packages in the membership offer of the membership associations;
  • Map the financial service providers in the districts of competence;
  • Provide support on enhancing access to finance among the micro-entrepreneurs promoted under the project, especially in inaccessible hill and mountain areas;
  • In partnership with Intervention Manager Component 1, organize training on capacity development of the district BDSPO on enhancing access to finance among the micro-entrepreneurs promoted under the project,
  • Provide support to transform D-MEGA into financial cooperatives and assist them to develop the capacity on accounting, book keeping, governance, loan management and financial management;
  • Mentor district micro-entrepreneurs associations to adopt development (business plans), market membership offers, recruit members, develop and manage budgets;
  • Support district micro-entrepreneurship associations to develop financial counselling services to help groups of entrepreneurs form cooperatives and have access to the Rural Self Reliance Fund;
  • Work closely with Regional and relevant district level offices (MOAC and MOFSC) for increased access to technical support services;
  • Develop mechanism to link micro-entrepreneurs with input suppliers, and to markets.
  • Support the development of the commercial strategies and visions of selected district MED service providers to expand their capacity in delivering MED;
  • Support district level MED service providers to develop linkages with the institutions working on developing and dissemination of the appropriate technologies required for the development of the micro-enterprises, as part of their bidding strategy;
  • Support district training institutions to develop, package and market training courses for the development of Enterprise Development Facilitators (EDF), in particular, targeting those Nepali service providers who could potentially be new entrants in the MED market;
  • Provide policy advisory to the MEDEP Intervention Managers and DDCs on improving policies, regulations and guidelines for the successful implementation of MEDPA;
  • 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.

Competencias

Corporate competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional competencies:
  • Excellent interpersonal skills;
  • Focuses on impact and results and responds positively to feedback;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors, at the senior levels;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
Knowledge Management and Learning
  • Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
  • In-depth knowledge on development and gender and social inclusion issues;
  • Oral and written communication skills.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:
  • The candidate should have at least a Bachelors degree in business management or relevant fields. 
  • Masters’ degree will be an advantage. 
 Experience:
  • S/he should possess a minimum of Five years of work experience for Master’s degree and Seven Years of work experience  for Bachelor’s degree experience in relevant fields;
  • S/he should possess a clear understanding of the basic concepts of micro enterprise development and market-driven development strategies;
  • The candidate should have a substantial level of experience in policy and programme development in different aspects of micro-enterprise development such as micro-credit, marketing, and good managerial experiences at both field as well as national levels;
  • S/he should have a 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:
  •  S/he must be well versed in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, etc. in computer. Typing skills in Nepali language is an added advantage.