Position Title: Financial Analyst
Line Manager: CEO
LOE:  Full-time from appointment in February 2021 to 31 March 2022

Background:

The Investment Board Nepal (IBN), established in 2011, is a high-level institution under the chairmanship of the Right Honourable Prime Minister for attracting and facilitating private investment including FDI and revitalizing Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Nepal. IBN functions as a central fast-track government agency to facilitate economic development in Nepal by creating an investment-friendly environment, mobilizing and managing domestic as well as foreign investments.

The Public Private Partnership and Investment Act, 2019 (PPPIA) empowers IBN to a) formulate policies on PPP and facilitate private sector investment for infrastructure projects; b) identify, select and prioritise viable projects to be implemented via PPP and private investment arrangements; c) approve project investment with project costs above Rs. 6 billion, or hydropower or energy related projects above 200 MW; d) conduct the appropriate preparatory studies for approved projects; and, e) provide recommendations to the Government to make available financial or non-financial incentives and facilities. Similarly, IBN is responsible for implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects in its portfolio, the establishment and operationalization of a ‘one-stop-service centre’, coordination and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to promote Nepal as a competitive investment destination for FDI, among others.

The provisions of the Act require the Office of the Investment Board (OIBN) to identify, select and prioritise viable projects. A consultant is required to support IBN with:

• Developing a better understanding of the viability of individual business cases associated with investment proposals;  and, 
• Supporting investors and IBN with the development of proposals to enhance their likely success. Better appraised, informed and supported projects will deliver the expected benefits and delivery results in a timely manner.

In this context, it is intended to recruit a Consultant (Financial Analyst) to provide the necessary technical and management support and assist OIBN with the in-house appraisal and project development activities associated with IBN’s investment promotion work. The Consultant is expected to work with the Investment Promotion unit of IBN.

The Consultant shall report to the CEO IBN

Scope of Work:

His/her responsibilities will be to undertake and lead the appraisal of projects’ and support their development to a state of agreed viability within IBN. In particular, he/she will carry out within their scope of work the following tasks:

• Conduct appraisals of projects, including their costs, benefits and risks
• Explore thoroughly the value-for-money opportunities that can be exploited during implementation 
• Assist IBN by providing an understanding of the business case (an iterative process)
• Provide information on best practices in infrastructure sector specifically hydro projects
• Interact with local and global capital providers including credit rating agencies to create innovative financial structures. 
• Provide support to develop the IBN Project Bank (i.e. identification, appraisal and prioritization of projects) and contribute to the IBN Project Pipeline Dashboard
• Communicate, coordinate and provide support to IBN’s other business units
• Perform any other relevant and instructed activities by the CEO

Deliverables: 

The Consultant will deliver a presentation related to each project appraised/under development that summarises the key findings and either dismisses a project, supports development opportunities for a given project, or recommends it for endorsement on the basis of a strong business case.

Inputs as appropriate to OIBN’s and APPIIC’s internal and external monthly, quarterly, six-monthly/annual reporting requirements.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• A Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance or Chartered Accountancy qualifications (inc CFA),  with at least 5 years of specialised work experience
• At least three years of working experience in business/investment project development within either a private sector corporate body, bank, financial institution or government development-focused agency/authority
• Proven understanding of financial planning/appraisal, project development, implementation and management; and, monitoring and evaluation
• Should be able to prepare sophisticated financial models independently with sensitivity and scenario analysis. Individuals having knowledge of macros in excel will be preferred.
• Preference will be given to candidates who have been involved in project finance and financial closure activities.
• Proven experience in undertaking research and contributing to related publications
• Proven experience in conducting training and event management
• IT software proficiency (MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint) with good report-writing and presentation skills.
• Excellent command of written and spoken Nepali and English language
• A Nepali citizen or a resident in Nepal or an individual willing to relocate to Kathmandu, having worked abroad in the financial sector will be given preference.

Work Station:

The Consultant shall be based in IBN Office, Kathmandu and report to the CEO IBN

Duration of Assignment: 

The total duration of the Consultant’s work will cover the period from recruitment (expected to be concluded by February 2021) to the end of the APPIIC project on the 31st March 2022. 

Supporting Resources and Access to Supporting Facilities: 

The Consultant shall be provided with office space and necessary logistic support (stationary, desktop computer, printer, etc.) by the APPIIC.

Recruitment Approach: 

The position shall be filled through an open recruitment process with the opportunity promoted on the IBN website and the selection completed after an appraisal of the applicants and an interview.

Expected Behaviours:

IMC Worldwide considers appropriate workplace behaviour to be as important as technical capability. All consultants engaged under APPIIC will be responsible for conduct in line with the following:

Non-discrimination: 

Actively and mindfully behave in a way that does not directly or indirectly discriminate (treat differently, marginalize, undermine, dismiss or deny professional opportunities etc.) against people the ground of their; gender, age, colour, ethnicity, cultural background, disability, marital status, political beliefs, religion, sexual orientation or identify, or any other characteristic that is unrelated to professional capability. Escalate through the appropriate channels any instances where discrimination has or is occurring. 

Transparency and Openness: 

Respond to colleagues positively and honestly to colleagues, and be willing to share information, maintaining professional appropriateness and respecting confidentiality. Be willing to explain your decisions and actions. Make yourself available and approachable to colleagues and be clear in your communications to avoid creation of confusion. 

Self-awareness:

Be mindful and conscious of your professional, physical and emotional reactions to colleagues and situations, and how they could be perceived by and affect others. Understand your own values and motivations and consider how these shapes your professional interactions, using this information to be mindful of how you interact with people and situations.  

 Mutual Respect: Treat others, as you would like to be treated, listen, and support others, making time to do so. Seek, acknowledge, value others’ experience and contribution, and be courteous and considerate to all. Encourage others to treat all colleagues with respect.