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

Communication and Documentation Specialist will report to NPM and will be responsible for: 

  • Document the best practices and success case studies of different entrepreneurs and products promoted by MEDEP and Government of Nepal under MED-PA programme and document them as part of the 4th phase completion report;
  • Support in the capacity building of BDSPO on documentation and communications;
  • Train MEDEP staff and MED-PA staffs in technical writing of successful case studies, best practices and other occasional reports;
  • Co-ordinate with the stakeholders and different media for a massive dissemination of information of MEDEP and its initiatives to have a greater impact and outreach of the programme’s achievements;
  • Supervise and manage MEDEP website content and make regular updates;
  • Provide support in producing monthly, quarterly and Annual Reports and Annual Progress Reports including other relevant sectoral reports as per the need of the program;
  • Contact regularly with the Journalists, Media Persons and publicise MEDEP through radio, FM, TV, Newspapers and ensure publication of MEDEP related matters in national and international newspapers and Journals;
  • Edit the reports research articles, thesis and other documents as and when needed by the programme staff;
  • Ensure that MEDEP activities are planned and implemented in a gender sensitive and social inclusive manner and that all implementing partners are sensitized and trained in gender and social inclusion;
  • Co-ordinate with Consultants involved in documentation of “Lessons Learned: and finalise for publication;
  • Consolidate the MEDEP publications and produce into printed forms in co-ordination with HRD specialist;
  • Prepare effective and efficient communication strategic guideline;
  • Train MEDEP personnel, BDSPOs staffs and Entrepreneurs Association in effective communication;
  • Collect and compile MEDEP’s progress reports from the districts, partner organizations and MEDEP’s central office and prepare publicity materials in consultation with NPM;
  • Develop and implement effective dissemination strategies on principles, process and achievements of MEDEP and document best practices and success stories to the development community and government departments;
  • Edit the reports research articles, thesis and other documents as and when needed by the programme staff;
  • Translate documents and reports from English to Nepali language and vice versa;
  • Prepare Entrepreneurs Resource Directory in consultation with project staff, D-MEGA, NMEGA, NEDC, BDSPO and other stakeholders;
  • Act as Liaison Person for different Media Organisations to disseminate the MEDEP outcomes, success stories and best practices of MEDEP.

Competencies

  • Promotes sharing of knowledge and experience, and actively works towards continued personal learning and development;
  • Good practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
  • Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches which expand the range of projects;
  • Builds  strong relationships  with all partner, focuses on impact and results and responds positively to critical feedback;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Remains  calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
  • Proven networking, team building, organizational and communication skills;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

  • Completion of Master's degree in Development Communication, Journalism, Management or Social Science or relevant field.
  • Additional degree in English language will be added value.

Experience:

  •  5 years experience in development communication activities in Nepal or in developing countries.

Computer Skills:

  • MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and desktop publication packages in computer.
  • Typing skills in Nepali language will be an added advantage.

Language:

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