Job Title

Country Director, Nepal

Duty Station: Lalitpur, Kathmandu, with regular travel to program communities in Sindhuli, Khotang, Sunsari, Saptari, and Udaypur, especially rural and marginalized communities.

Reports To

Executive Director, dZi Foundation USA

Eligibility

Must be a citizen of Nepal

dZi Foundation is a US-based non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to Nepal. For more than two decades, dZi has worked alongside rural communities and local organizations to advance inclusive, locally led development and improve the lives of poor and marginalized families.

dZi's work increasingly focuses on helping communities build sustainable economic opportunities, increase household incomes, strengthen resilience, and improve quality of life, particularly in Eastern Nepal and the Koshi River Basin.

dZi is a small, focused international development organization. Its Nepal Country Office has fewer than 10 staff and manages an anticipated annual budget of approximately US$1–$1.5 million.

The Country Director will serve as dZi's senior leader in Nepal and will provide strategic, programmatic, organizational, and operational leadership for dZi's work in the country.

This is a hands-on leadership position with broad responsibility for dZi's strategic direction, programs, people, partnerships, government relations, finances, compliance, and organizational development. The Country Director will lead a small team and work closely with dZi's US-based Executive Director and Board to strengthen the organization's impact and support its next phase of growth.

The successful candidate will be an experienced development leader who combines strategic vision with strong management, relationship-building, and practical problem-solving skills.

1. Strategic and organizational leadership

2. Program leadership and quality

3. Partnerships and stakeholder engagement

4. Government relations and project agreements

5. Financial, operational, and risk management

Applicants must be citizens of Nepal and must be fluent in both Nepali and English.

The Country Director will be based at dZi's office in Patan, Kathmandu, with regular travel to program communities in Eastern Nepal.

Because dZi works exclusively in Nepal and has a lean Country Office, the position offers considerable breadth, responsibility, and autonomy. The successful candidate should be comfortable working in a small organization where senior leaders are expected to be both strategic and hands-on.

dZi's compensation package is structured for a small, specialized international development organization and will not be comparable to compensation packages offered by substantially larger INGOs with much larger country programs and budgets in Kathmandu.

Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience.

This is an opportunity for a senior Nepali development professional to lead a focused organization and have a direct and visible influence on strategy, people, partnerships, and results.

The Country Director will work closely with dZi's US-based Executive Director and Board and will play an important role in shaping the organization's future direction.

This is not a position within a large INGO bureaucracy. It is an opportunity to lead a small, focused organization, build a strong team, work closely with communities and local partners, and help shape programs intended to create lasting economic opportunity and improved quality of life for underserved families in Nepal.

Application deadline

October 30, 2026

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Canvassing will result in disqualification. dZi reserves the right to accept or reject applications without assigning reasons.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: dZi Foundation Nepal is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from women, people from marginalized groups, and bilingual/bicultural individuals. Applicants shall not be discriminated against due to caste, religion, gender, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.

https://www.jobsnepal.com/country-director-144593