Position Title: Technical Officer (TO)- 1
Grade: O2
Vacancy No: 4/081/082
Person Assigned: To be selected
Project: Girls Standing Strong (GSS) Project in Sindhuli District.
Education & Experience: A minimum of a Sub-engineering qualification (mandatory) along with a Bachelor's Degree in any field, and at least 2 years of work experience, is required. The candidate must possess skills in design development, estimation, and technical evaluation, as well as experience in planning, implementation, and monitoring.
Duty Station: HANDS Nepal, Field office Sindhulimadi with frequent travel to Project Location.
Contract type: Three month with possibility of extension based on fund availability.
Working Area: RM/M of Sindhuli district (Kamalamai, Dudhauli, Sunkoshi and Marin
Responsible to: Directly to Senior Program Coordinator, GSS Project, HANDS Nepal, Sindhuli.

Background

Human & National Development Society (HANDS) Nepal, established in 2001, is a non-governmental, non-political, non-profit organization focused on integrated community development and natural resource management. With a vision of a prosperous, equitable, and ethical society, HANDS Nepal's mission is to implement initiatives fostering inclusive and equitable development. For over 24 years, the organization has promoted sustainable development, addressing areas such as governance, education, child rights, WASH, climate change, disaster risk reduction, health, and livelihoods. HANDS Nepal aims to empower marginalized groups, particularly women, children, and Dalits, to access basic needs and lead dignified lives. Through partnerships with multiple agencies and over 42 projects impacting more than 200,000 people across thirteen districts, HANDS Nepal strengthens local governments, promotes participatory governance, and ensures marginalized communities can shape their futures.

Project : GSS Project

HANDS Nepal, Sindhuli has been working in long-term partnership with Plan International Nepal since 2012. Currently, the organization is collaborating with Plan International Nepal to implement 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 cause/manifestations are the principles/norms/practices that are embedded on the patriarchal values that bars 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, establishment of safety nets and resources and working  with government for effective policies and programs. Using the gender Transformative approach, the project is based on the integrated model of addressing CEFM through promotion of nurturing environment and protection, access to quality education and life choices (skill) and promoting one’s bodily autonomy. DRR/CC and WASH will remain key cross- cutting initiative to make the communities prepared and resilient. With this vision, Girls Standing Strong (GSS) project will address the humanitarian needs within the targeted communities, wards, palikas and districts.

The purpose of GSS is to facilitate in harnessing the aspirations of Children, Adolescent 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, establishment of safety nets and resources and working with government for effective policies and programs. Using the gender Transformative approach, the project is based on the integrated model of addressing CEFM through promotion of nurturing environment and protection, access to quality education and life choices (skill) and promoting one’s bodily autonomy. DRR/CC and WASH will remain key cross- cutting initiative to make the communities prepared and resilient. With this vision, Girls Standing Strong (GSS) project will address the humanitarian needs within the targeted communities, wards, palikas and districts.

The purpose of this project is to facilitate in harnessing the aspirations of Children, Adolescent 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 on 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:

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

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall direction of Senior Program Coordinator (Sr. PC) and Technical Officer will be responsible for the all civil engineering related task i.e., led technical efforts, including feasibility studies, design, and cost estimation for civil works in selected schools and community. Provided technical support and supervision for construction, renovation, and improvement projects, ensuring construction measurement and valuation adhered to the project's budget constraints. The Technical Officer will work along with the team members and will be responsible to coordinate and establish the linkages among all the project team members, stakeholders, line agencies and concerned officials. The Officer will provide the timely, accurate, reports to the Sr. PC.

Specific Duties

• Led the Civil engineering work i.e., feasibility study, design and estimate of civil work of selected schools,
• Technical support and supervision of construction work, improvement and renovation work, construction measurement and valuation for the construction as per the budget ceiling of the project.
• To prepare completion of construction and improvement work of the structures in the project implementing areas.
• To conduct frequent field visits, organize meeting with stockholders and groups.
• Support to Sr. PC to Coordinate with district line agencies, local government authorities (Rural/Municipality), communities and all local stakeholders to run the program smoothly
• Ensure effective communication between the organization or project teams through line manager on any new developments, possible problem or conflict during the activities and important decisions and directives.
• Maintain project related disaggregated beneficiaries' database with pre-intervention database (baseline) for the purpose of organizational level reporting
• Prepare progress reports of project related with business development as per required.
• Should be able to implement the activities based upon the policy of the organization.
• Liaise with all project staffs to ensure that project interventions in timely with concrete project plan and budget as per finalized project documents.
• Ensure project development strategies are implanted in the organization and at project level.
• Coordinate with the other organizations implementing similar project to learn, effective implementation and avoid the duplication.
• The organization may assign beyond the above mention duties also. This additional assigned duty also a part of job description of this position.

Competence:

• Strong knowledge and skills in civil engineering including familiarity with government policies regarding the construction.
• 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: AutoCAD, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, internet, and skill of computer applications.
• Prioritize for two wheelers driving license holder.
• Female candidates are strongly recommended to apply.