TITLE: Program Officer (PO)                                              
UNIT: SNGP – II, Nepal Office
REPORTS TO: Deputy Country Representative or Sr. PO
SUPERVISES: Relevant Consultant Stability outcome (access to justice, intergovernmental coordination, and policy support) 

1. SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The Program Officer (PO) is responsible for providing technical and programmatic support for the implementation of the Subnational Governance Program (SNGP), particularly to its component on judicial committees, community mediation, human rights, and judicial sectors. This will require maintaining professional relations with the designated implementation partners, Consultant/s, and relevant government agencies. S/he will work closely with the SNGP team, under the supervision of the Deputy Country Representative and or Senior Program Officer -related to judicial sectors, human rights as well as, intergovernmental coordination, policy support, and municipal governance. She/He will also be responsible for establishing synergies and coherence between the different components of the Program.

The position will participate in regular field visits to program locations to monitor program activities, identify issues and challenges, and develop and recommend solutions. Furthermore, s/he will provide support for developing bids and proposals, and program acquisitions as assigned by the Governance Director, Deputy Country Representative, Country Representative, or designate.

2. RELATIONSHIPS

Internal
Regular contact with the supervisor, Senior Governance Advisor, Governance Director, Deputy Country Representative, Country Representative, and other program staff, grantees, and independent contractors of The Asia Foundation – Nepal.

External
Frequent contact with the leadership of the judiciary including the Mediation Council, Supreme Court, Ministry of Law and Justice, National Judicial Committees, relevant government officials and agencies, including partner province governments and municipalities, business sector, civil society organizations, professional organizations, and academic and other local institutions, at all three levels of government.

3. REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Master’s or equivalent degree in law, human rights, or a relevant field.

Experience

• Minimum five years of experience in programming, planning, and implementing development programs in rule of law, legal community mediation, or access to justice sectors. Proven project management skills and experience, with strong problem-solving ability. Experience in report writing, and financial and grants management.

Other

• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of Nepal’s judiciary, justice sector, rule of law, and human rights with a sound understanding of political, economic, and social context. 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 problem-solving ability.
• Advanced data analysis skills (both qualitative and quantitative)
• Willingness to travel to provinces, districts, and municipalities across the country.
• Ability to work under pressure in a team environment or independently.

4. JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Support and Management

• Provide  technical and programmatic leadership  to the SNGP program on   access to justice, judicial sectors, and human rights  
• Provide support in the overall management of  SNGP works including in the governance and policymaking sector related to intergovernmental relations and coordination.  
• Track ongoing developments in the judiciary or justice sectors at both national and sub-national levels and provide regular feedback to the supervisor, Governance Program, Deputy Country Representative, and Country Representative on contextual issues impacting program implementation. 
• Track the activities of other organizations/development partners that are also implementing governance-related activities both at the national and sub-national levels. 
• Support the preparation of reporting requirements such as monthly updates, quarterly reports, annual reports, annual work plans, and other documents. Prepare partnership management documents such as memos, letters of grants, letters of contracts, requests for payment, and procurement requests, as necessary.
• Provide substantive inputs, coaching, and assistance to grantees, contractors, and consultants as they plan, design, and implement project activities, write reports, and document the impact of program activities. Track their activities and ensure that timely reporting and quality deliverables are received from partners/grantees.
• Conduct rapid needs assessment and generate data related to policy-making, intergovernmental coordination, and municipal governance of subnational entities.
• Conduct field visits and establish a good working relationship with relevant stakeholders, and national, provincial, and local level government authorities.
• Coordinate with the program team members to compile, maintain, and report on program statistics to prepare reports for donors and the Foundation Headquarter.
• Collect necessary data/information for reporting requirements, monitoring and evaluation of the program interventions, and ensuring linkages between contributions of program/component and annual outcome and output indicators.
• Ensure that gender equality, disability, and social inclusion are effectively mainstreamed throughout activities under the program as well as addressed through targeted activities to contribute to increased intergovernmental coordination, inclusive policymaker, policymaking, and participatory subnational governance in Nepal.
• Work closely with the program team to provide overall support for the implementation of the program and help establish synergies and coherence between the different components of the Program. Work closely with team members from cross-cutting areas of monitoring, learning and evaluation, gender and social inclusion, and communications.
• Provide support to the Governance Director and their designates in program coordination and reporting, including generating briefing notes, program summaries, and presentations.
• Compliance with all Foundation and donor policies, procedures, and practices when carrying out all activities.

Financial Management

• Assist potential partners/grantees develop their budget proposal, monitor their expenditures, and ensure that they are within approved budgets and that spending targets are met
• Work closely with the supervisor for preparing and revising budget management plan, and spending projections, and assess partners and consultants on CPP and PSEAH.
• Assist Finance & Grant unit in conducting due diligence on potential partners/grantees. Monitor due diligence to potential partners/grantees performed by Finance and Grants unit
• Follow Foundation policies and practices, and ensure that all financial documentation related to project activities is prepared, updated, and settled, including supporting documents

Representation

• Participate in Foundation and other meetings, professional forums, and events with development partners, governments, civil society organizations and other stakeholders.
• Contribute to articles, written materials, and documentation for publication

Other Responsibilities

• Provide support to other on-going programs and activities of the Foundation as may be necessary
• Support fundraising and bid proposal development as assigned.
• Other job responsibilities as assigned by Country Representative, Deputy Country Representative, Governance Director, Senior Governance Advisor, or designate.