Portfolio Manager

Job Description

Position: Portfolio Manager, Swisscontact Nepal

Reports to: Country Director, Nepal

1. Background

Swisscontact is a business-oriented independent foundation for international development cooperation. It is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland and represented in 36 countries with over 1,400 employees. Swisscontact has been promoting economic, social and environmental development since 1959.

In Nepal, Swisscontact is registered as an international NGO. Ongoing initiatives of Swisscontact like the Youth Employment Project (YEP) are contributing to the integration of youth into the job market. Swisscontact has furthered its work in skills development in Nepal through the Nepal Vocational Qualifications System (NVQS) project, which supports the government to establish a National Vocational Qualifications Framework (NVQF) and a corresponding NVQ Authority. The Skills for Safe Reconstruction Project (SSRP) contributes to a safe reconstruction process through building capacity of home owners to achieve earthquake resistant technology and skills training for construction workers.

Sahaj-Nepal Agricultural Market Development Programme (NAMDP) contributes to a long-term vision of thriving and inclusive agriculture markets by promoting private sector investments and an improved enabling environment in the agriculture sector. And the Senior Expert Corps (SEC) programme provides technical expertise to roughly 40 local SMEs each year to help overcome business and structural impediments leading to higher competitiveness in the local market and employment creation.

2. Essential Functions and Responsibilities

The incumbent is a representative of Swisscontact displaying courtesy, tact, consideration, and discretion in all interactions with other members of the Project, government agencies, stakeholders, beneficiaries and the public. The Portfolio Manager, Swisscontact Nepal is responsible for supporting the portfolio development of Swisscontact Nepal and the region and backstopping ongoing projects.

2.1 Main Tasks

Portfolio Development

• Lead the development of Swisscontact’s portfolio of new projects in Nepal.
• Support the Country Director to manage Swisscontact’s portfolio in Nepal.
• Support the South Asia Regional Management Team to manage and further expand its portfolio in the region.

Support on-going projects

• Technical back-stopping as required.
• Overall quality assurance adhering to Swisscontact standards.

2.2 Specific Tasks

Portfolio Development

General

• Be completely familiar with Swisscontact's private sector development strategy, approach, thematic areas and competencies.
• Support Country Director to manage and further develop the portfolio of Swisscontact in Nepal as part of the overall South Asia portfolio development efforts. Support portfolio development for the region as required.

Management

• Support new project start ups viz. project set ups, recruitment, capacity building of new staff, among others.
• Support closing of completed projects viz documentation, reviews, among others, and
• Oversee tasks and ensure quality of all materials that are relevant to portfolio development including communications and knowledge management.
• Mentor and manage Portfolio and Communications Associate, and other relevant interns and
• consultants. Research, intelligence gathering and proposal preparation
• Scan multi- and bi-lateral donor landscape and keep updated records.
• Consult relevant websites, and conduct in person meetings to collect intelligence on upcoming acquisition opportunities.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive list of private foundations and corporations who can be potential donors for Swisscontact.
• Research latest trends in pro poor private sector development and keep one-self updated.
• Gather relevant information through secondary research and in person interviews for new project proposals to be prepared for donors.
• Develop new project concepts and proposals.

Technical Support

• Support projects in terms of latest instruments, methodologies and tools regarding Private Sector Development (PSD), Market for the Poor (M4P), Market Systems Development (MSD) and Value Chains.
• Support capacity building efforts of projects targeted at internal staff and also partners and facilitators.
• Support the improvement of internal documentation such as sector reports, intervention reports, and annual reports.
• Participate in internal reviews of projects and provide strategic guidance.
• Conduct technical assistance missions to selected projects based on specific ToRs issued by the projects.
• Contribute to the integration of Swisscontact global priorities such as Monitoring and Result
• Measurement (MRM), gender and other cross cutting issues into selected projects.

3. Representation

• Represent Swisscontact and its projects towards outside.
• Develop a network of national and international contacts, which are relevant to Swisscontact Nepal's portfolio development and communications work; and
• Promote Swisscontact as competent project partner towards potential donors.

4. Time Involvement

The incumbent shall be engaged at 100% capacity.

5. Workplace

The workplace is located in Swisscontact country office in Kathmandu, but work may also involve travels within and outside of Nepal.

6. Qualification, Experience and Competencies

• Advanced degree in management or any other relevant field.
• Excellent communication skills in both English and Nepali (verbal and written).
• Advanced knowledge and working experience of 5 years in the fields of PSD, M4P, MSD and Value Chains.
• Knowledge and experience in the areas of knowledge and content management and quality assurance.
• Ability to conduct independent researches, intelligence gathering and networking.
• Ability to deliver high quality outputs within deadlines in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment.
• Familiarity with DCED standards for MRM in PSD, MSD and M4P programmes is desirable but not required.
• Experience in policy reform and/or business enabling environment is desirable.

Apply Instructions

To Apply:

Submit current CV with a cover letter articulating your motivation to join Swisscontact and the reasons why you are the suitable candidate for the position to: np.info@swisscontact.org on or before 20 February, 2018. The subject line of your application should clearly mention the position you are applying for. This job description can be adjusted according to the new developments and requirements of; upon agreement of both parties.

This Job is expired. The Company is no longer accepting applications for this position.