Challenge Fund Field Officer

Job Title

Challenge Fund Field Officer

Division

International Development Services

Reporting to

Challenge Fund Programme Coordinator

Grade

B

Duration

12 months (fixed term)

Location

Dhading

Job Profile

Purnima is a five-year programme (2017-2022) funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and managed by Mott MacDonald. The objective is long-term positive change in the lives of people in earthquake-affected regions of Nepal. The programme will work in four of the worst affected districts (Gorkha, Dhading, Nuwakot, and Rasuwa) through five Output Areas: 

• Inclusive planning at local level through technical assistance to government agencies. 
• Reconstruction of rural infrastructure, including water supply, foot trails, footbridges, and schools. 
• Stimulation of economic growth opportunities through private sector development in relation to construction, including access to finance, innovation, and skills. 
• Mobilization of Challenge Fund (CF) to support interventions for socioeconomic wellbeing of vulnerable groups to ensure that no-one is left behind in the reconstruction effort. 
•  Monitoring, evaluation and learning.

Purnima has linked above mentioned outputs into two thematic areas: “Build Back Better” and Leave No One Behind” so that reconstruction benefits can get by everyone and they are in a better state than before the 2015 Earthquake. The impact of the earthquake was felt most severely by women and children, who are most vulnerable members of society. It is essential the gender and social inclusion issues are covered explicitly in all output areas and activities undertaken through the programme. The project also aims to stimulate transformative change for women and girls, in social, economic and political arenas.

Our objective is to ensure that no one is left behind in the reconstruction process, and we will target the most vulnerable population in all activities. The infrastructure will be selected through a participatory planning process, by working closely with Gaunpalikas and Wards.  The project aims to strengthen the ability of local government to deliver inclusive services and infrastructure at a local level. We will link our interventions in a systematic and coherent way to rebuild rural infrastructure and increase the socio-economic wellbeing and resilience of the most vulnerable groups. The specific vulnerable groups that we will target under the ‘leave no one behind (LNOB)’ component include persons with disabilities, the elderly, vulnerable single women (especially Dalit), Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) after resettlement, and extremely poor and food insecure people from remote areas.

We will ensure that our activities are consistent with local needs and priorities, and will coordinate with other government and partner programmes, so that we work together towards a common vision. We will work with government especially with local government agencies, civil society, NGOs, private sector and other relevant stakeholders and development partners. 

The Challenge Fund (CF):

To support Post-Earthquake Reconstruction in Nepal, the Purnima programme includes a Challenge Fund which is set to fund interventions ensuring no-one is left behind in the reconstruction effort and to promote transformational change for women and girls.

It is recognised that not all will benefit equally from the reconstruction activities or other components of the overall programme. Under the Vulnerability Window, the Challenge Fund aims to ensure that the most vulnerable and excluded members of earthquake affected communities are not left behind. Special consideration is given to groups that may be left out of the reconstruction process as the households in these groups are restricted to contribute labour. Labour-poor households include households with senior citizens, households with members having a disability, and households with single women and children without external sources of income.

Job Description

Purnima is now seeking full time Field Officers (Dhading based) for Challenge Fund / LNOB activities to work as a team member of the Challenge Fund. The Field Officer will directly work and report to CF Programme Coordinator. However, s/he need to work in consultation and coordination with Purnima Palika Planning Advisors, Challenge Fund Manager and CF Finance Coordinator in order to smoothly implement the Challenge fund supported projects/activities in the districts / Palikas.   

The Field Officer is responsible to coordinate with and provide required support to implementing-partners of the Challenge Fund / LNOB Programme in the assigned district. S/he is the focal point to Grant Recipient and Challenge Fund Team at the district level and is also responsible for the program implementation management. The position involves intense travel in project implementation areas or working Palikas.

Main responsibilities of Field Officer will be:

• Report to CF Programme Coordinator, the field officer will work in close coordination with Purnima’s District Coordinator, Planning Advisors and partner organisations in implementing the Challenge Fund activities in the district.
• Assist the CF Programme Coordinator in developing, maintaining and reviewing monthly, quarterly, and annual progamme progress under the Challenge Fund Component.
• Monitor field level progress by Grant Recipient and gives input where necessary.
• Oversee the data collection related to programmatic interventions as set by the CF.
• Ensure that monthly progress report, quarterly progress reports are prepared by Grant Recipient and submitted to Purnima Challenge Fund Team in a timely fashion.
• Conduct field visits as per the monthly visit plan and review project’s overall performance providing qualitative input to Grant Recipient as necessary.
• Support to CF programme coordinator to manage MIS and prepare relevant reports.
• Perform other project-related duties as and when necessary on the direction of his/her supervisor.

Note: This job description reflects the present requirements of the post.  As duties and responsibilities change and develop the job description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder and line manager.

Candidate Specification

Candidates should have:

Profile:  Candidates will possess experience in field level project activities implementation working with the public sector, private sector, non-government sector and informal sectors. Candidates who have prior experience in bilateral and/or multilateral donor funded development programs and in reconstruction and recovery areas will be prioritized. Mott MacDonald is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from socially marginalized groups, including women candidates.   

Education:  Candidates will have at least a Bachelor’s degree in commerce, business administration, agriculture, economics and other social science. Higher degree will be preferred.   

Experience:  Candidates will have a minimum 5 years of field level project management experience. Substantial experience with DFID funded programme in Nepal will be highly preferred.

Language:   Fluent in written and spoken Nepali and English. 

Computer skills:  Fully computer literate in MS Office including Word, Excel and Power Point. 

Salary: Salary will be commensurate according to qualification and experience of the selected candidate.