Position Title: Project Officer (PO)
Grade: O2
No of Vacancy: 1
Person Assigned: To be selected
Project: Girls Standing Strong (GSS) Project in Sindhuli District.
Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree in sociology, rural development, development studies, education, gender studies, environmental science, or other relevant field with 3 years of working experience e in the development section i.e. NGO.
Duty Station: As allocated RM/M or field office of HANDS Nepal
Contract type: Annual with the possibility of extension
Working Area: One of the RM/M of Sindhuli district (i.e. Kamalamai and Dudhauli municipality, and Sunkoshi and Marin RM
Responsible to: Project Coordinator HANDS Nepal, Sindhuli.

Human & National Development Society Nepal (HANDS Nepal) is a non-profitable, non-political, and non-religious NGO based in Sindhuli. It has been working with different partners with envision a prosperous and equitable society to make a healthy and happy society in a different location. Now, HANDS Nepal, Sindhuli is working with Plan International Nepal in Sindhuli as an implementing partner of the Girls Standing Strong (GSS) project for three years.

The situation of girls and young women in Nepal has seen significant improvements over the years, yet challenges persist. Nepal has made commendable progress in addressing gender inequality and promoting girls' education, health, and empowerment. However, deep-rooted social norms, poverty, discrimination, and limited access to resources continue to affect the lives of many girls and young women in the country. Despite legal reforms raising the minimum age of marriage to 20 for both women and men, the practice continues, primarily in rural and marginalized communities. Child marriage not only robs girls of their childhood but also perpetuates a cycle of poverty and limited opportunities, as they are often forced to drop out of school and become mothers at a young age.  It causes and manifestations to perpetuate child early and forced marriages are multifaceted. Education has been a major focus in Nepal's efforts to empower girls. Efforts have also been made to eradicate gender-based discrimination in schools and provide scholarships and incentives for girls to pursue education. Nonetheless, factors like child marriage, early pregnancy, and household responsibilities often disrupt girls' education, particularly in rural areas.  In conjunction with these causes / manifestations are the principles/norms/practices that are embedded in the patriarchal values that bar education for children, especially girls. Child marriage not only robs girls of their childhood but also perpetuates a cycle of poverty and limited opportunities including forced to drop out of school and become mothers at a young age. However, healthcare access and Sexual and reproductive rights are other areas of concern for girls and young women in Nepal. However, challenges like inadequate healthcare facilities, and limited access to contraception and sexual education persist, leading to issues such as teenage pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and reproductive health complications. Violence against women, including domestic violence, sexual harassment, and human trafficking, remains a pressing issue in Nepal. Cultural and societal norms still hinder progress. Awareness campaigns and legal reforms have contributed to raising awareness and supporting survivors. However, a comprehensive and sustained approach is necessary to address this issue effectively. In terms of economic empowerment, girls and young women face barriers to accessing decent employment and economic opportunities. Gender disparities in terms of wages, job prospects, and decision-making positions persist. 

In this context, The Girls Standing Strong (GSS) project aims to empower girls to stand strongly working through strategic pathways of changing harmful social norms, establishing of safety nets and resources, and working with the government for effective policies and programs.  Using the gender Transformative approach, the project is based on the integrated model of addressing CEFM through the promotion of nurturing environment and protection, access to quality education and life choices (skill), and the promotion of one’s bodily autonomy.   DRR/CC and WASH will remain key cross-cutting initiatives to make the communities prepared and resilient.   With this vision, the Girls Standing Strong (GSS) project will address the humanitarian needs within the targeted communities, wards, pikas, and districts.

The purpose of GSS is to facilitate harnessing the aspirations of Children, Adolescents, and Young People (CAY) especially girls and young women whereby they live and lead their life with dignity. The project will directly serve to end child-early and forced marriage.  Embedded on gender transformative approaches (GTA) to end CEFM “Time to Act”, the project will adopt multi-disciplinary yet integrated approaches s to end CEFM.

In terms of economic empowerment, girls and young women face barriers to accessing decent employment and economic opportunities. Gender disparities in terms of wages, job prospects, and decision-making positions persist. Discrimination and traditional gender roles often limit their participation in the labor market, and women continue to be underrepresented in sectors such as politics, business, and leadership roles.

In this context, The Girls Standing Strong (GSS) project aims to empower girls to stand strongly working through strategic pathways of Changing harmful social norms, establishing of safety nets and resources, and working with the government for effective policies and programs.  Using the gender Transformative approach, the project is based on the integrated model of addressing CEFM through the promotion of nurturing environment and protection, access to quality education and life choices (skill), and promotion of one’s bodily autonomy.   DRR/CC and WASH will remain key cross-cutting initiatives to make the communities prepared and resilient.   With this vision, the Girls Standing Strong (GSS) project will address the humanitarian needs within the targeted communities, wards, pikas, and districts.

The purpose of this project is to facilitate harnessing the aspirations of Children, Adolescents, and Young People (CAY) especially girls and young women whereby they live and lead their life with dignity.   In doing so, the project will directly serve to end child-early and forced marriage.  Embedded in gender transformative approaches (GTA) to end CEFM “Time to Act”, the project will adopt multi-disciplinary yet integrated approaches s to end CEFM.  The GTA will be based on 6 elements namely:

• Addressing gender norms throughout the life course;
• Strengthening girls’ and young women’s agency
  
• Advancing both the condition and position of girls, young women, and women.
  
• Working with boys, young men, and men so that they embrace gender equality and exercise positive and diverse masculinities.
• Responding to the needs and interests of girls and boys in all their diversity
• Fostering an enabling environment for gender equality and girls’ rights. 
  

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The main responsible of the Project Officer (PO) is to work as the project focal person for the allocated local government/s of the GSS project. S/he should assist Senior Project Coordinator (SPC) with the project cycle management of the GSS project in Sindhuli including planning and budgeting, implementation, monitoring and supervision, and reporting. S/he should support the field supervisor for day-to-day project planning and implementation. S/he should coordinate key stakeholders including local governments, schools, health institutions, security agencies, child/ girls/ youth clubs/ networks, and so on. S/he should support GESI, Monitoring, and Documentation Officer to prepare knowledge management products, project learning, and challenges. 

Other Duties, 

Implementation and Stakeholder Coordination:

• Assist SPC to coordinate local government authorities (Rural/Municipality), communities and all local stakeholders to run the program smoothly
• Support field supervisors for the project implementation and mobilization of community volunteers, FCHVs, and children/youth clubs/networks.
• Ensuring continuous communication and sharing project information with the right holders and communities’ representatives regarding the implementation of works in order to ensure flawless progress of activities
• Liaise with all project staff to ensure that project interventions are in a timely with concrete project plan and budget as per finalized project documents
• Ensure project development strategies are implanted in the organization and at the project level 
• Support GESI and MD Officer for knowledge management product preparation and documentation of learning, challenges, best practices, and opportunities of the project. 

Capacity Development: 

• Develop the capacity of the project team, right holders, and stakeholders by conducting or using resource persons on different types of activities based on the project theme.
• To actively engage in the implementation of the project activities, the beneficiary selection process under the guidance of SPC

Planning, Supervision, and Monitoring of field activities:

• Conduct effective monitoring of each activity regularly which ensures meeting the goal and outcome of the project
• Manage the project budget and ensure project expenditures are in-line with the agreed project plan and budget
• Ensure the timely implementation of field works as per the predefined schedule.
• Prepare case studies both positive and negative with a special focus on lesson learning 
• Monitor the conformity of the field works (training, field visits, meetings, etc) with the standards of the organization, and as per the agreed activity planned and contracts.
• Prepare monitoring/evaluation tools and indicators to measure the output/outcome of the project
• To check the quality of project intervention.

Data collection and reporting 

• Support GESI and MD Officer for project data management in time through direct involvement and mobilization of field supervisor.
• Ensure effective communication between the organization or project teams through the line manager on any new developments, possible problems, or conflicts during the activities and important decisions and directives 
• Prepare monthly/quarterly/annual progress reports of the project.
• Ensure effective communication between the organization, and project teams and report immediately on any new developments, changes, financial aspects, and important decisions and directives
• To conduct frequent field visits, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews

Accountability

• Make sure that field activities are undertaken timely as mentioned in the project document in the assigned project sites.
• Make sure that records are correctly maintained and that reporting is done on time.
• Make sure that efficient coordination with all concerned agencies is maintained in the project sites.
• Maintain performance appraisal of a field supervisor as per the HR policy of HANDS Nepal.
• As per HANDS Nepal’s board decision

Requirement: Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
Education: Bachelor's Degree in sociology, rural development, development studies, education, gender studies, environmental science, or other relevant field 
Experience: S/he has an experience in a similar position in the development project cycle management of ECD or education or protection or girls/women empowerment including SRHR. S/he should have 3 years of working experience in the development section i.e. NGO. Preference will be given to the candidate working in integrated and complex nature projects.  
Competence: 

• Sound management knowledge and skills of project staff mobilization, project planning implementation, and monitoring.   
• Language: Ability to write clearly and concisely in English and Nepali
• Communication: Sound communication skills, managing work relationships (internal/external), coordination, and networking. 
• Proven IT skills: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and skill of computer applications/
• Two wheeler driving license is required.  
• Female candidates are strongly recommended to apply