UNDP Jobs - 85711- Micro Enterprise Development (MED) Officer, SB 4 P

Micro Enterprise Development (MED) Officer, SB 4 Peg 1 (Open to Nepalese nationals only)

Location :

3 positions in each Province, NEPAL

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Aug-2019

Application Deadline :

25-Jun-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year with possibility of extension

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 Government has replicated the micro enterprise development model of Micro Enterprise Development Programme (MEDEP) in all 7 provinces and 77 districts through the launch of the Micro Enterprise Development for Poverty Alleviation Programme (MEDPA) led by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies. During 2018 and 2019, MEDPA will support the creation of a total of nearly 27,000 new micro entrepreneurs and provide graduation support to over 16,000 existing entrepreneurs among which more than 70% will be women from marginalized communities. Since the beginning of MEDEP Phase IV (2013-2018) the program has been working closely with MEDPA to build capacities for a gradual takeover and institutionalization of the microenterprise development model nationally.

With the roll, out of the new federal system of governance including 7 provincial, 77 districts and 753 local governments in 2017, institutionalization of the model through MEDPA has demanded new commitments from the newly formed governments. This requires further reforms to existing systems, including to MEDPA, which was designed for a unitary system. It is imperative that the policy framework, systems, and institutional arrangements that underpin MEDPA implementation are adapted to the new federal context and implementation capacities of the provincial and local governments are increased. Timely intervention is therefore critical to ensure that the model is effectively delivered by subnational governments and continues to be recognized as an important poverty reduction strategy in Nepal.

To respond to the need for a smooth transition of MEDPA under this changed context, the key program partners of MEDEP (the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, DFAT and UNDP) have agreed to implement a new MEDPA-TA program for two years after the phase out of MEDEP IV.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the National Project Manager and the direct supervision of the Provincial MED Specialist, the MED Officer will be responsible for the institutionalization of MED model at the local level. The Officer will coordinate and provide support to District Cottage and Small Industry Office /Board (DCSIO/CSIDBO) and local governments to implement MEDPA and institutionalize the MED model.

General Responsibilities:

Orient elected authorities, and relevant staffs of local governments, District Coordination Committee (DCC) and staffs of DCSIO/CSIDBO, on the Micro Enterprise Development model and its implementation process;
Support technical support to local governments to incorporate microenterprise development-related policies, regulations and guidelines for the successful implementation of MEDPA and institutionalization of MED model;
Advice local governments to allocate the budget for MED and support local government to utilize the budget as per the MED model;
Provide facilitation support to District Enterprise Development Committee (DEDC) to undertake the procurement process for microenterprise development service providers, so as to guarantee quality, efficiency and flexibility;
Support MEDPA’s planning and budgeting cycle to the local governments’ planning and budgeting cycle and ensuring that MEDAP is fully aligned with local level planning and budgeting system;
Provide technical support for the preparation of Enterprise Development Strategy Plan (EDSP) and its implementation to local governments;
Advice and support local levels in internalizing an effective Management Information System for MEDPA and build their capacity to run the system;
Provide technical support to the DCSIO/CSIDBO and local governments, to understand the Micro Enterprise Development model and ensure that it is fully internalized into their systems;
Advice the Micro Entrepreneur’s Associations (MEAs) at local and district level to provide services to its members, lobby and advocacy for MED to generate resources for the enterprises scale up activities as well as to strengthen backward and forward linkages of their products;
Advice and orient to the Business Development Service Providers (BDSPOs) on the results-based output of MED model to develop quality Micro-entrepreneurs (MEs);
Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual work plan and reports, as well as other relevant sectoral reports, and submit to the National Project Manager through PMEDS;
Provide capacity building support to various stakeholder on effective implementation of MEDPA at local level;
Ensure that MEDPA activities are planned and implemented in a gender sensitive and socially inclusive manner and that all implementing partners are sensitized and trained in gender and social inclusion;
Carry out any other assignments, as required by the National Project Manager and PMEDS, from time to time.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Serves and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Good inter-personal skills;
Clear and upfront communication skills;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Display cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
Collaborates effectively in a team environment;
Organized and good with following-up on pending issues; meets deadlines;
Promote learning and knowledge management/sharing;
Focused on delivering results by taking calculated-risks and problem solving approach;
Fair and transparent decision making; regularly shares information with team members;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development.

Functional Competencies:

Demonstrate ability to identify and anticipate bottlenecks, as well as seek guidance;
Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy, confidentiality concerning financial and employee files; (for admin and finance, project management positions);
Ability to organize and complete assignments within deadlines;
Integrity and impartiality, ability to work with external partners e.g. supplier, vendors, service providers;
Ability to convey difficult issues and positions to senior officials proactively seek guidance and make clear recommendations to line managers;
Dynamic and results-oriented;
Strong verbal and written skills; ability to draft short memos and conduct presentations;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities; can multi-task;
Willing to work long hours;
Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;
Solicits feedback from staff about the impact of his/her own behavior highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty;
Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda;
Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work;
Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation;
Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration;
Oversees and documents the process of strategy formulation for programmes at Project level.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Completion of Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in any field relevant to economic development in Nepal is required.

Experience:

Candidates should have at least work experience of three years for Master’s degree and five years for Bachelor’s degree in relevant aspects of micro-enterprise development, including within the federal government structure of Nepal. Of this, candidates should have at least three years of experience working with Nepalese government systems and a clear understanding of local governance systems and the issues and challenges of micro enterprise development in Nepal. Prior experience of coordination with government personnel is required.
Prior experience of coordination with government personnel is required.

Language Requirements:

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

Other:

Sound understanding of basic computer applications such as MSWord, Excel and database management is required.