Organization: UNDP
Area Programme Support Manager (APSM) SB 5/ Peg 1 NIM Project
Location : Surkhet, Area Programme Support Office (APSO) with frequent travel to other MEDEP and MEDPA districts, NEPAL
Additional Category : Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction
Type of Contract : Other
Post Level : Other
Languages Required : English
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 Area Programme Support Manager (APSM) will be responsible for the operations of the Area Programme Support Office (APSO), and ultimately responsible for catalysing change in the local system for micro-entrepreneurship development in the districts of competence of the APSO and capacity building. In particular, the role of the APSM will be to:
Ensure effective and efficient provision of technical advice and support focusing on achievement of the following:
• Preparing in close consultation with the Intervention Coordinator a detailed programme work-plan, schedule and budget, for the APSO to be updated on quarterly basis;
• Ensuring the timely mobilization and utilization of programme personnel, subcontracts, training and equipment inputs as required;
• Coordinating the work of the ASPO Government Support & Market Development Specialists and support personnel in the field in close consultation with the Intervention Coordinator;
• Providing technical support to Ministry of Industry district level offices and Local level Unit and their member organisations to fully understand MEDEP model and ensure that MEDEP model is fully internalised into their systems.
Provide capacity building, facilitate and advocate, focusing on achievement of the following:
• Supporting and facilitating MEDPA/MoI/MoFALD in creating the required financial, human and equipment resources at Cottage and Small Industry Office (CSIO) Cottage and Small Industry Development Board (CSIDB) to create and continuously and sustainably train local level unit on the preparation of Local Enterprise Development Plan.
• Facilitating training programmes (in consultation with the implementing agents) designed for strengthening capacity development of (CSIDB)/District Cottage and Small Industry Office (DCSIO) for internalization of micro-enterprise development;
• Evaluating the training impact and reporting lessons learnt/ suggestions for improvement at MoI and CSIDB/DCSI. Establishing benchmark performance indicators for the implementation of the training and the plans;
• Together with the Intervention Coordinator strengthening the advocacy role of District Micro Enterprie Group Associations (DMEGA);
• Facilitating the cooperation and interaction between central and local level actors, based on concrete issues.
Provide guidance at the local level and assistance, focusing on achievement of the following:
• Providing guidance to micro-entrepreneurship associations to develop financial counselling services to help groups of entrepreneurs form cooperatives and have access to the Rural Self Reliance Fund;
• In close collaboration with MEDEP team map the access to financial services by financial service providers in MEDEP’s working areas.
• Carrying out other assignments, as required by the programme.
Gender ensitive and socially inclusive
• Ensuring that MEDEP 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;
• Providing technical assistance and guidance to local Government representatives for delivery of MED activities – reaching out to women and excluded groups in the programme district and that district level supports are designed and targeted to address gender inequality and social exclusion;
Competencies
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Ability to identify problems and proposes solutions;
• 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.
• 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
• Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting;
• 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
• Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
• Ability to lead effectively,mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
Required Skills and Experience
Education
• Master’s Degree in Economics, Business Studies, Social Science, Natural Resource Management or related fields
Experience
• Seven years’ experience in different aspects of MED including operationalization of value chain approach; micro-credit, marketing, policy advocacy;
• Good managerial experiences in development programmes or related fields;
• Experience with project cycle management, with a proven ability to coordinate a complex matrix of development programmes will be an advantage;
• Experience working with a recognised national / international organisation in the area of micro enterprise development approach from market development and value chain based perspectives
Computer skills
• Understanding and knowledge of basic computer applications such as MSWord, Excel and database management.
Language
• Fluency in both spoken and written Nepali and English languages is required.
Last date to apply: 31 May 2017
HOW TO APPLY
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