TITLE: Program Manager
UNIT: Nepal office, Lumbini Province
REPORTS TO: Project Director at TAF and Program Coordinator 
SUPERVISES: Technical Coordinator and Short-Term Technical Advisors.

1. SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The Program Manager is responsible for the overall management of the Foundation’s portfolio on [FCDO funded Collaborative Governance Design Pilot project at Lumbini Province]. The Program Manager will manage the day-to-day management and operational aspects of the Activity in the province. The program manager is expected to support the establishment of partnership with government, civil society, media and other stakeholders at provincial level and some at local level. He/She will ensure the use of politically informed, flexible, iterative programming approach in activity implementation. He/She will be based in Lumbini and will participate in regular field visits to project areas including Karnali and Kathmandu to monitor interventions, identify learnings and challenges and develop and recommend solutions. His/Her core responsibility will include providing oversight to the project team, identify ways to generate learning, coordinate and maintain effective coordination and work relationship among project stakeholders, produce high quality progress reports and oversight to cross-cutting themes such as communication, risk management and GEDSI mainstreaming; ensuring sound financial and budget management including grants management. 

The Program Manager will have significant experience working on governance and/or development programs with relevant technical expertise and experience of working with provincial governments in Nepal. He/she will also have significant management experience and will be responsible for project administration, financial and grant management, donor reporting and representation of The Asia Foundation and project to government agencies, donors, partner organizations, diplomatic missions, and national and international institutions, as required. The program manager will report to the Project Director at The Foundation along with the Program Coordinator (program lead) based in Kathmandu.

2. RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

Contact with all staff within the Foundation's Kathmandu office.

External

Regular contact with project partners, grantees, independent contractors, government officials and agencies, bilateral and multi-lateral development agencies and donors, business sector and civil society organizations, professional organizations, and academic and other local institutions.

3. REQUIREMENTS

Education

Advanced degree in development studies, law, public policy, public administration, political science, economics, international development, social sciences, or other relevant field.

Experience

Minimum five years or more of relevant professional experience of designing, managing and implementing governance programs in developing countries, particularly on decentralization and local governance. At least three years of increasing management and budget oversight responsibilities for program implementation. Solid experience in team building in multi-cultural environments, efficient and effective delivery of project milestones, and donor relations. Excellent supervisory and team management skills. Strong track record of facilitating partnerships across governing authorities, community groups and members of the public, and a high level of comfort in engaging high level government officials. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of Nepal’s political, economic and social context. Fluency in any other local language of Nepal (preferably of Lumbini province) desired. Work experience with provincial government preferred.

Other

Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of Nepal political, economic, and social context in Lumbini and preferably Madhesh and Karnali province. Experience of working in adaptive programming. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in English and Nepali, and ability to harmoniously interact with people from a variety of cultural and professional backgrounds. Proven management, analytical, and research skills, with strong analytical and problem-solving ability. Ability to prioritize and critically analyze information. Advanced computer skills (Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, internet). Ability to work under pressure and multitask. Willingness to travel to districts across the country. Ability to work independently and in a team environment.

4. JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management

• Support Project Director and Program Coordinator to ensure efficient program operation including progress reporting, contracting and administration, human resources, financial and grant management, work-planning and other requirements for the project.
• Continuous development of program activities to suit evolving project needs and proactively deploy necessary resources to adjust and implement activities.
• Manage the project monitoring, evaluation and learning framework, for the purpose of the Foundation’s internal reporting or for government stakeholders and project donors.
• Provide oversight of cross-cutting areas of program delivery, i.e. communications, risk monitoring and management and GEDSI.
• Ensure the team manages regular field visits by the Foundation and partner staff to sites, and establish and maintain good working relationships with provincial government and local governments, civil society, communities and media organizations.
• Identify areas of possible intervention through different models for implementing the Challenge Fund in various thematic areas and oversight the design and implementation of challenge funds.
• Ensure substantive inputs, coaching and assistance to partners/grantees as they plan for, design, and implement project activities, and ensure that timely updates and reports are received from partners/grantees.
• Track on-going developments with the government at both national and provincial levels and provide regular feedback to supervisors of broader context impacting project implementation.
• Track the activities of other organizations/development partners that are also implementing governance-related activities at subnational levels, especially Lumbini.
• Ensure compliance requirements are communicated and adhered to by all partners and consultants.  
• Lead the development, and ensure high quality, of any research and information materials that will be produced by the Foundation for the project.
• Compliance with all Foundation and donor policies, procedures and practices when carrying out all activities.

Financial Management

• Work closely with the Project Director on budget management, expenditures, expenditure projections related to assigned tasks.
• Review monthly financial reports, prepare budget forecasts
• Following the Foundation policies and practices, ensure that all financial documentation related to project activities is prepared, updated and settled, including supporting documents 

Donor Relations

• Ensure that donor colleagues are updated regularly with project progress.
• Respond to donors’ requests as needed.

Human Resources Management/Supervision

• Oversee and manage a team of staff and consultants to implement project activities and maintain project coherence.  
• Supervise and mentor officers and other team members. 
• Ensure the team has a thorough understanding of governance matters and keep up to date and contribute best practices in relevant thematic areas that impact governance matters between government and citizens.  
• Manage a conducive team and office environment.

Representation

• Participate in the Foundation’s and other relevant professional meetings, forums and events with development partners, governments, and civil society organizations, sharing knowledge and experience from within and outside the organization.

Other

• Provide support to other on-going programs and activities of the Foundation as may be necessary
• Other duties as assigned by the Country Representative, Deputy Country Representative and the Project Director.

Applying Procedure

Applicants are requested to read through the job descriptions above for the position. Job shall be applied through the Foundation Online Job Application form by October 23, 2023. Please attach your Curricular Vitae (CV) along with a cover letter describing suitability for the position in the Job Application form. In case of any technical difficulties, queries can be forwarded to [email protected]. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Telephone calls will not be entertained.

The Asia Foundation is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive office environment. Women and people from economically and socially excluded groups are encouraged to apply.