Location: Dhangadhi
Division: International Development Division
Contract: Sajhedari-STF Project
Supervisor: GESI Advisor

Project Summary:

The goal of the USAID funded Sajedhari - Support to Federalism (STF) project, implemented by Abt Associates is to provide technical assistance to the Government of Nepal (GoN) in transitioning to a federation of provinces with more effective, accountable, responsive, and inclusive local governance. The key objectives of the Sajhedari-STF Project are the following:

•  The GoN creates and implements sound policies and legislation that are informed by evidence, and empower, finance, and regulate provincial and municipal governments;
• The targeted province and select municipal governments therein are more responsive, inclusive, accountable, transparent, and effective in decision making and delivering priority services to fulfilling core legal responsibilities; and
• Citizens and civil society organizations in targeted geographic areas, including the historically marginalized, actively participate in local decision-making and oversight. 

Through USAID’s Newly Elected Women Leaders for Peace and Security Supplemental Statement of Work (hereafter, “WPS SSOW”), Abt will bring the right mix of capacity building to strengthen women leaders, and technical assistance to address policy and institutional barriers, so that Nepali women leaders can lead the charge on WPS issues, including new challenges posed by COVID-19. We will strengthen women’s leadership to address emergent women’s issues resulting from the COVID-19 crisis and contribute to Nepal’s peace, security, and reconciliation.

This position is contingent upon receiving funding from USAID for this initiative.

General Position Summary

The Women Empowerment Specialist will work closely with the GESI Specialist in Dhangadhi, and under the supervision of the GESI Advisor, who is based in Kathmandu, and the technical support team. In general, s/he will support the implementation of the Project's GESI strategy, including GESI sensitive approaches to project activities. Specifically, the WE Specialist will be  will be responsible for managing the implementation of field activities related to the above referenced Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Supplemental Statement of Work (SSOW): Newly Elected Women Leaders for Peace and Security (WPS). 

S/he will support planned activities under the above referenced initiative intended to  strengthen, promote, or increase women’s participation in local governance processes, which are intended to achieve a quantifiable increase or, qualitative improvement in, women’s civic participation with a focus on local and provincial levels.

This position is based in Dhangadhi, but requires some travel to the Kathmandu office. Frequent travel is required to partner provinces and municipalities for effective coordination and monitoring to assure quality implementation, focusing mentoring, timely reporting and, documentation of learnings and best practices. S/he will ensure that project partners and other stakeholders understand these rules and regulations, and reporting and monitoring requirements as well, and will hold them accountable.

Job Requirements:

• Provide overall leadership for the field implementation of planned activities under the SSOW WPS initiative, ensuring quality performance and implementation.
• Help palikas and provinces strengthen policies and practices needed to address preexistent WPS issues and new COVID-19 challenges affecting women. 
• Coordinate with stakeholders to establish actionable milestones that will all the project to achieve set targets; design appropriate activities with partner provinces and municipalities.
• Lead policy review of WPS related activities areas, including women economic empowerment and leadership development.
• Work with the Project’s Senior Provincial Project Manager, Subcontracts and Grants Specialist, and other relevant Sajhedari team members to effectively manage subcontracts related to the SSOW WPS initiative and ensure compliancy with USAID regulations and the Project’s GESI policies and strategy.
• Work in a team to ensure Sajhedari GESI sensitive approaches are mainstreamed in the SSOW WPS initiative.
• Coordinate with policy, governance, and citizen engagement specialists to ensure provincial- and field-level activities are integrated and implemented efficiently.
• Support the project’s efforts to build the capacity of key stakeholders, CSOs, government and the private sector on the prirorities of the SSOW WPS initiative, including women economic empowerment and women leadership.
• Support the monitoring evaluation and learning (MEL) team on data collection and analysis of the SSOW WPS initiative  indicators and, provide technical expertise to ensure the activities are measured and evaluated for continuous learning and improved processes.
• Contribute to reports, white papers, case studies, and success stories to document and showcase the project’s achievements.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of 6-8 years of progressive management experience in the development sector, with at least three years of relevant professional experience in gender equality and social inclusion, WPS, women economic empowerment, leadership development; experience with USAID-funded projects strongly preferred.
• A bachelor’s degree in gender studies, sociology, international development, economics, or a related field is required; an advanced degree (master’s or equivalent) is strongly preferred.
• A proven track record of implementing women empowerment initiatives in line with both national and international best practices. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated success making connections with key stakeholders to enhance the adoption of GESI principles. 
• Demonstrated capacity to lead the collection, analysis and utilization of data and information from a broad range of sources to ensure effective integration of WPS in project programming.
• Professional verbal and written fluency in English, as well as strong writing skills.