Introduction to Swisscontact Swisscontact is a leading partner organisation for the implementation of international development projects. The organisation promotes inclusive economic, social, and ecological development to make an effective contribution towards sustainable and widespread prosperity in developing and emerging economies. With this objective in mind, Swisscontact offers the chance to economically and socially disadvantaged people to improve their lives on their own initiative. The independent, non‐profit, and private foundation was established in 1959 in Switzerland. The organization strengthens the competencies of people, improving their employability, increases the competitiveness of enterprises, growing their business, and fosters social and economic systems, promoting inclusive development. In Nepal, Swisscontact is registered as an International Non‐Governmental Organisation that started its operations in 1991 with the initiation of the Training Institute for Technical Instruction programme. Currently, Swisscontact Nepal has four development programmes across all seven provinces, with a well‐ functioning country office that employs over 50 national and international staff members.
Swisscontact is implementing the “Step Up” project in Province 1. The primary goal of the project is to increase the income of the target groups through productive and sustained employment contributing to poverty reduction and resilient livelihoods. Swisscontact intends to achieve the desired goals by:
▪ Strengthening labour market information system.
▪ Improving the offer of viable labour market insertion services that provide jobseekers with information on placement and business opportunities, career guidance and counselling, market relevant trainings, and networking support.
▪ Exploring opportunities along economic sectors and clusters with potential for growth, provision of employment, and creation of jobs.
▪ Working with private sector companies to implement inclusive business models that allow the integration of target groups into their supply chain.
▪ Supporting entrepreneurship support organisations to provide existing and newly established micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with critical services to grow, sustain, and improve their performances.
Project Officer (Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Labour Market Insertion Services – Step Up)
Start of employment: 15 July 2022 (negotiable)
Place of work: Kathmandu with 50% time for field office in Province 1
Tasks
The Project Officer is responsible for the planning, designing, and monitoring of interventions which aim at supporting entrepreneurial eco system and coordinating with relevant stakeholders in Province 1 that includes and not limited to labour market insertion service providers, business development service providers, training providers, financial institutions, and other entrepreneurship support organisations to support the design, development and delivery of business services. The Project Officer will also support the Private Sector Engagement Manager in interventions aimed at facilitating the identification, promotion, and implementation of inclusive business models together with the private sector and collaboration with business networks and industry associations.
Their major tasks include:
▪ Support in the design, planning, implementation, and monitoring of strategies and interventions consistent with the overall objective of the project.
▪ Support to conduct analyses to understand opportunities to foster economic opportunities for the target group through entrepreneurship and self-employment.
▪ Identify and implement strategies that create shared value partnerships with the private and public sector through inclusive business models or sectoral/cluster growth.
▪ Support the project team to conduct analyses to understand challenges and barriers in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and provision of entrepreneurship support services.
▪ Work closely with Private Sector Engagement Manager to identify strategies and business models for the provision of sustainable support services to MSMEs.
▪ Support to foster partnership with private as well as Municipal labour market insertion service providers.
▪ Work closely with Private Sector Engagement Manager to identify potential strategic private sector partners, including business networks and platforms, to support the strengthening of products and services or introduce and implement innovative or inclusive business models.
▪ Develop, build, and maintain strong relationships with implementing and strategic partner agencies including government, private sector, and NGOs.
▪ Provide relevant input to progress reports.
▪ Coordinate and exchange information/ideas with the other Intervention Area and Swisscontact projects.
▪ Support timely monitoring and streamlining of data collection and analysis in collaboration with the Monitoring and Results Measurement Officer.
▪ Comply with the Office Manual and other relevant requirements of Swisscontact.
Requirements
▪ A Master’s or bachelor’s degree in Business Studies and or Economics or Development Studies with at least 3 years of experience in designing, implementing, and managing similar initiatives (ecosystem development, entrepreneurship development, private sector partnerships)
▪ Demonstrated experience in working with private sector and entrepreneurial ecosystems space
▪ Should be familiar with the government structure, entrepreneurial ecosystem, and have excellent understanding of challenges for MSMEs growth
▪ Excellent communication skill in both English and Nepali (verbal and written).
▪ Ability and willingness to work in a team to deliver high quality outputs within deadlines in a dynamic and fast‐paced work environment.
▪ Willingness and ability to travel between Swisscontact offices in Kathmandu and Biratnagar and to field locations in Province 1.
Application Procedure
Please visit our website Jobs - Nepal - Countries - Site for the detailed Job Description and requirements for the position. Interested candidates who meet the requirements are requested to send their latest CV (Maximum four A4 pages) and a motivational letter to recruitment.nepal@swisscontact.org latest by Thursday 05:00 PM Nepali time on 30 June 2022. Along with the CV and the motivational letter, please send the duly filled in “Job Application Form”, which is available on our website (same address mentioned above).
In the "subject" line of your email, please mention the position applied for.
Swisscontact Nepal will not entertain any phone enquiries or other such solicitations for these positions. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the selection process. Swisscontact Nepal reserves the right to reject any or all applications.
Swisscontact is an equal opportunity employer. Women and applicants from disadvantaged groups are encouraged to apply.
Swisscontact supports economic, social and ecological development of South Asia by implementing projects which enable people to improve their living conditions on their own initiatives. Swisscontact has been engaged in international development cooperation in the region since 1962, when it started working in Chandigarh, India and established the Indo-Swiss Training Centre. Gradually, Swisscontact expanded operations across Bangladesh in 1979, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 1980 and Nepal in 1990.
At present, Swisscontact South Asia has the largest portfolio of development projects in Bangladesh and the office located in Dhaka functions as the South Asia Regional Office (SARO). Swisscontact also maintains a country office in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Swisscontact aims to further strengthening its presence in South Asia whilst building and maintaining strong networks with private businesses; public agencies; micro, small and medium enterprises; non-governmental organisations and civil society; bi- and multi-lateral donor agencies and host governments.