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 Five Years Strategic Plan of Micro Enterprise Development Programme for Poverty Alleviation (MEDPA).

During the fourth phase of MEDEP, 73,000 new micro entrepreneurs will be created 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 18 years of providing support to micro-entrepreneurs in Nepal, MEDEP will create micro-enterprises indirectly, by mentoring, supporting and strengthening the 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 Govt. with a sustainable institutional setup for the delivery and support of entrepreneurship even after the phase out 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

Duties and Responsibilities                         

The Government Support and Market Development Specialist will assist the Area Programme Support Manager to facilitate the agreed components at the district level, developing plans and programmes, and supporting institutional capacity development of local government and agencies. S/he will have the following specific duties and job responsibilities:

Ensuring technical advice, partnership building and guidance at the district level, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Supporting the APSM and Intervention Coordinator in developing a clear strategic vision for APSO area in relation to the activities to be undertaken part of the work-plan;

• Providing guidance to the District Micro-Entrepreneurs Groups Associations (DMEGA) to develop credible business plans, governance structures and membership offers to recruit new members and develop relationships with micro-finance institutions to extend access to finance to members;

• Conducting market studies and competitiveness studies for improved access of products of micro-entrepreneurs in the domestic and export markets;

• Developing mechanism to link micro-entrepreneurs with input suppliers, and to markets;

• Guiding Local level Unit to carry out adequate procurement of MED service providers, so to guarantee quality, efficiency and flexibility. These may follow a national tender process to pre-select service providers and ultimately deployment in districts;

• Providing guidance to transform D-MEGA into financial cooperatives and assist them to develop the capacity on accounting, book keeping, governance, loan management and financial management;

• Guiding district research organisations to produce quality research that is relevant to micro-entrepreneurship policies, within the framework of a successful commercial strategy;

Ensure capacity building and facilitate training needs focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Developing the capacity of the Micro Enterprise Units in the District Cottage and Small Industry (DCSI) and Cottage and Small Industry Development Board (CSIDB) offices to promote MED and MEDPA across government agencies and local offices by organising events and training services;

• Together with the APSM organize training on capacity development of the district Business Development Service Providing Organization (BDSPO) on enhancing access to finance among the micro-entrepreneurs, promoted under the programme;

• Providing technical advice to 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;

• Facilitating and supporting 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;

• Mentoring 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;

• Performaing any other duties assigned by the APSM.

Gender sensitive and inclusive

• Ensuring 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.

Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal skills;

• Ability to identify problems and proposes solutions;

• Ability to strengthen and maintain the capabilities of individuals, societies, organizations and government of Nepal to set and achieve objectives over time;

• Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge;

• Creates collaborative client relationships, build professional knowledge, creates a participatory environment;

• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and analytical skills. Proven ability to coordinate activities of a complex nature in a multi-stakeholder environment as well as ability to communicate convincingly orally and in writing on multifaceted subjects;

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;

• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;

• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;

• Consults with clients and ensures their needs are represented in decision-making processes;

• Clear understanding of the basic concepts of micro enterprise development and market-driven development strategies.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Master's Degree in Economic Development, Social Science or related fields.

Experience

• 5 years of experience in the field of management, policy analysis, micro enterprise development or related fields;
• Strong background in management with sound knowledge of institutional capacity development and an awareness of theories of organizational change;
• Substantial level of experience in policy and programme development in different aspects of micro-enterprise development such as micro-credit & marketing;
• Good managerial experiences at both field as well as national level;
• The candidate should possess a clear understanding of market-driven development strategies and enhancing sustainable livelihoods.

Computer skills

• Understanding and excellent usage of computers and office software packages (e.g.  MSWord, Excel) and database management.

Language

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