Duty Station: Kathmandu, Nepal (with extensive travel in Nepal (Madhesh and Lumbini Provinces)
LOE: Full time
Start Date: July 2022
Background:
UKaid सीप is brokering transformational partnerships with the Nepali private and public sector to propel growth in selected priority sectors – commercial agriculture, light manufacturing, tourism, ICT, and construction – through expanded access to quality skills training linked to gainful employment and migration optimization for Nepalis. सीप uses a Challenge Fund co-investment and technical assistance mechanism to forge partnerships aimed at addressing key market constraints for increased job creation, financial inclusion, and industry growth by introducing innovative, scalable skilling m odels and financial services; catalyzing multi-sectoral collaborations; and unlocking public and private capital.
Role and Responsibilities:
The सीप Skills Market Specialist will help co-design; scale-up and implement sustainable skilling and job creation models with the private sector and skilling providers through a co-investment approach. He/she will also support private sector engagement with the Government of Nepal to support skilling in emerging new in-demand job occupations through initiatives such as the Apprenticeship Fund. Key responsibilities of the सीप Skills Market Specialist will include:
- Explore and encourage the adoption and scale-up of different skilling models/partnership by the private sector and other key system actors (e.g., other INGOs/GoN) on a co-investment basis. Work with the private sector on the co-development and scale-up of business models that supports introduction/expansion of skilling initiatives for in-demand job occupations leading to employment/self-employment opportunities.
- Help build the evidence-base for transformation and priorities across different sectors of interest to SEP; in particular systemic changes being brought about through support from the SEP programme. Help MEL team in the development of formative evaluations.
- Support component leader to work with the private sector to identify skills gaps and future skills needs across a range of sectors and geographic areas (Madhesh Province and Lumbini Province) that are linked to growth opportunities and to support adaptive management of the partnerships forged by सीप with a learning and scale-up mindset.
- Work closely with सीप’s Challenge Fund, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL), Regional Managers, and GESI and Communications teams, coordinate and support effective result-focused management of सीप partners, in particular to track and ensure the attainment of the stated skilling and employment goals, systemic changes, evaluation of targeted beneficiaries, timely reporting, and knowledge sharing.
- Working closely with the MEL and Component team, deploy Value for Money & Cost Benefit assessments, and beneficiary verification to ensure sustainability and impact of skilling models; on a more regular basis, ensure receipt of timely monthly and quarterly reports and beneficiary profiles from all partners; elevating deviances and constraints to the team on a timely basis to ensure they are addressed and optimized, and partners receive the support they need.
- Proactive management with private sector partners on bottom line KPIs, including skilling and placement targets, firm capability improvements, sustainability measurements, productivity improvements and increased market access.
Requirements for the Position
- Master’s degree in economics/business administration/public policy or equivalent with an in-depth knowledge of investment analysis and related computer applications.
- 8-10 years of experience working with the private sector and development organizations, preferably in the sectors of सीप’s interest identified above.
- Experience working with private sector meso level-entities/associations in areas related to enabling economic growth and sectoral transformation will be an added asset.
- Deep understanding of the macro-economic environment in the country and its impact on sectors.
- Experience having developed research studies centered around economic growth; sectoral transformation and the macro-economic situation in the country.
- Capability to convene and interact with leaders in the private and public sector to progress GON’s investment promotion initiatives (including Make in Nepal).
- Proven experience of working with private sector (including in Madhesh and Lumbini Provinces) on understanding industry trends, and workforce upgradation strategies as part of the firms’ growth and expansion plans, coupled with tangible demonstration of firm-level improvements.
- Familiarity with the working in co-investment modalities preferably gained through prior work on a FCDO/DFID’s or a similar donor project that has orchestrated successful co-investments with the private sector- preferably in private sector development, skilling and placement.
- Prior experience working in management of private sector partnerships for FCDO/DFID or a similar donor’s skilling and/or private sector development output-based contracts with in-depth understanding of the theory of change, logframes and related reporting requirements.
- Evidence of having deployed analytical/management tools, including market ecosystems mapping and constraints analysis, sectoral assessments, and developing roadmaps/implementation plans.
- Experience promoting private sector engagement with the Government of Nepal to introduce systemic changes aimed at transformational growth and employment in progressive sectors and to catalyze public private partnerships.
- Written and oral communications skills, and a good command over the English language given the requirements for drafting reports and leading presentations.
- Proficiency in MS Office suite of applications.