KTK-BELT, INC, is a non-profit organization that is tax-exempt in the United States under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c) (3). It maintains offices in New York and Nepal and complies with the laws in both jurisdictions. Its mission is to catalyze new models of biodiversity conservation and environmental learning in eastern Nepal. The idea is to give a framework to local farmers to become ‘professors’ of the Vertical University, to share their indigenous knowledge while also physically conserving threatened species and landscapes. It is currently implementing a five-year project entitled “Creating Biodiversity Corridors for conservation, Education and Livelihood from Koshi Tappu to Kanchenjunga in Eastern Nepal” after entering into an agreement with Social Welfare Council on October 3, 2019, in five districts (Morang, Sunsari, Dhankuta, Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha).

Position and Scope of Work:

The Regional Program Officer position is an intermediate management role that requires coordination, oversight, monitoring and implementation of activities by KTK-BELT and its field partners. The incumbent will be responsible for regularly liaising and communicating with national, provincial and local government authorities, under the direct supervision of the KTK-BELT Project Co-Directors and Senior Program Coordinators. The core responsibility of this position is ensuring project outcomes are met as per the project log-frame, ensuring smooth communication with concerned government authorities, organizing MPAC/CPAC meetings with the Social Welfare Council, managing staff and overseeing the day-to-day activities of KTK-BELT and its partners vis-à-vis implementation of the ‘Vertical University Project.’  The incumbent will be responsible for project monitoring and evaluation, financial management, regular progress updates and financial reporting, and team coordination. 

Duty Station: 

• The duty station for this role will be Kathmandu with periodic travel to different project sites in eastern Nepal
• It is integral that the incumbent have strong internet access and strong digital literacy to be able to work online during the COVID-19 period 

General Responsibilities: 

• Prepare, coordinate reviews, edit, and disseminate project-related reports and documents, including subcontractor scopes of work, country strategies, progress updates, curricula, and other documents and reports
• Monitoring and supervision of project activities based on the project logframe within the assigned project site 
• Prepare progress activity reports every six months to the Social Welfare Council as well as ward, gaunpalika, provincial and central governments
• Participate in and represent KTK-BELT at inter-organizational meetings and seminars in Kathmandu and the eastern region with the highest degree of professionalism. Must be able to strategically communicate the Vertical University project 
• Prepare, or as appropriate, supervise the preparation of, annual work plans and budget projections and present to the Co-Directors for approval
• Supervise junior staff in the performance of their respective duties and ensure the efficient functioning of all units 
• Ensure that confidentiality is not violated and that any organizational issues or disputes are resolved discreetly
• Liaise with all of the field staff, stakeholders, and local governments to ensure clear communication about project progress and to clarify any misunderstandings or confusions

Government Relations Responsibilities:

• Coordinate with concerned rural/municipalities as well as associated  wards  to ensure that KTK-BELT and partner activities are incorporated into annual plans and budgets in Asar/Shravan in the Gaun Sabha
• Ensure proper adherence to SWC protocols and rules
• Regularly coordinating with the local, provincial and national government agencies and concerned stakeholders. Maintain contact databases for concerned authorities
• Develop a list of contacts for representatives of relevant Wards, Rural Municipalities, Government Ministries, and Departments 
• Ensure PA compliance in all of the activities 
• Assist with the coordination of CPAC/ MPAC meetings 
• Develop bi-annual reports (every 6 months) in collaboration with the team to submit to the SWC
• Support PA/ GA preparations

Financial Coordination Responsibilities:

• Draft monthly, quarterly, yearly financial projections 
• Properly implement the activities as per the budget lines in the field and collect proper receipts and data as supporting documents 
• Coordinate with the Finance/ Admin Coordinator to ensure legal compliance
• Ensure implementation of best practices in budgeting, accounting & auditing compliant with national regulations

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Ensure that proper monitoring methods are developed for tracking indicators 
• Develop proper data collection methods to track the progress of indicators
• Ensure that all supporting programmatic documents are collected, stored in dropbox on a monthly basis 
• Provide all photos to the IT officer/ Media Lead 
• Draft reports as per need on a quarterly/ yearly basis
• Learn the m&e software
• Integrate all logframe items, activities into the m&e framework 
• File all documents relating to the M&E framework
• Local partner related 
• Ensure proper reporting and communications with the Local Partners Orgs
• Ensure all the board minuting procedures are followed while implementing activities

Personnel related responsibilities

• Ensure all the board minuting procedures are followed while implementing activities
• Ensure all fellows/ forest guardians within the project areas are able to track their hours and work
• Draft work plan, TORs and other related documents for junior field staff
• Plan on any hires, assist with the hiring process, induction etc. 
• Follow proper procedures to obtain quotations from consultants/ contractors
• Coordinate and manage travels for consultants/ field staff
• Ensure the safety and security of the field staff, especially with respect to travel

Administrative Responsibilities

• Organize high level site visits with concerned authorities, as per the direction of the KTK-BELT Co-Directors
• All photocopying, scanning, printing work relating to the program
• Ensure all assets are being used properly
• Ability to hold zoom meetings and online meetings 
• Able to properly develop an online infrastructure for management of files and documents 
• Donor trip coordination and support
• Filing, archiving services as needed for the relevant projects

Key Qualification & Experience

• Master’s Degree in Management, Environmental Conservation, or Rural Development or related fields
• High level leadership-level experience a must
• Background in environmental conservation an advantage
• 5+ years of working experience in related field
• Proven track record and technical ability to manage a large, complex, multi-stakeholder project 
• Effective interpersonal, management and negotiation skills proven through successful interaction with stakeholders, including senior government officials, regional/local authorities, experts and NGOs/communities 
• Demonstrated ability in team management and collaboration 
• Strong Academic profile and professional background
• Prior field based experience in project management and administrative coordination required
• Prior experience of working in I/NGO environment with the experience of coordinating donor funded field projects a must
• Prior work experience in monitoring, evaluation and reporting of projects will be strongly desired

Special Skills and Competence

• Complete fluency in written and spoken English and Nepali, and typing skills in both languages
• Strong computer literacy 
• High degree of patience and sensitivity, and ability to work in sensitive climate
• Leadership qualities including professional communication and writing skills, public speaking ability, and project planning competencies
• Highest degree of gender and caste sensitivity is a must

Timing: The initial contract shall be for three months on a probationary/trial basis and extended upon successful completion to a longer duration based on both project funding and performance of the candidate. 

Remuneration: Mid-level salary

Documents to be Submitted by the Application (incomplete applications will not be reviewed):

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter stating qualifications, work experience and salary expectation 
• 2 written work samples, which can be an articles, essays, or reports where you are the principal author
• Professional Copy of academic certificates and/or other relevant documents
• Name, email, and phone number for 3 professional references