Country Director based in Nepal

Country Director based in Nepal

FCA is seeking for a Country Director based in Nepal. This exciting and challenging position will be for two years to start, with an extension possibility. The Country Director position is national, and the recruitment is open to Nepalese citizens and applicants with valid work permit. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including women, Persons with Disabilities or from minority communities, and those from underrepresented groups.

FCA’s program in Nepal focuses on empowering marginalized women and youth through sustainable livelihoods, quality education, and climate-resilient solutions, while advancing gender equality, and social inclusion. With strong partnerships, innovative approaches, and impactful advocacy, the program fosters resilience and systemic change in one of the most dynamic and diverse development contexts in Asia.

Duties and responsibilities:

Primary responsibility of the Country Director (CD) is to provide leadership and strategic direction of FCA`s development, advocacy and humanitarian programs in Nepal.  Key task is to grow and expand FCA’s Country Program in Nepal including leading Business Development and perform within the framework of FCA’s and donors’ strategies and guidelines, and promote institutional learning and synergy amongst FCA and partners. Further:

• Responsible for FCA’s Country Office’s overall security management in Nepal
• Lead FCA’s program work and guarantee its efficient implementation
• Lead people: Lead the Senior Management Team in Nepal
• Proactively create and maintain a well-functioning team atmosphere and spirit which promotes participation, equality and inclusion
• Leading localization process of FCA in Nepal. FCA emphasizes this as a priority task and thus expects that candidate has expertise on establishment of local civil society and business entities.
• Create an open and inspiring working culture
• Identify and lead innovation opportunities to have maximum impact in programming. Take a strong role in New Business Development in Country Office
• Lead financial growth of the Country Program to reach out to as many people in need as possible, with robust impact
• Be responsible for compliance of the country office with set FCA standards. Be responsible for implementing FCA’s Complaint Mechanism according to the rules and procedures of FCA
• Lead financial management of the country office according to the applicable statutory requirements as well as ensure that policies and guidelines by FCA are followed
• Act in line with FCA’s vision, values and quality & accountability standards
• Be responsible for FCA’s country strategy implementation, which is based on FCA´s Global Strategy

Competence and Personal Requirements:

• Minimum 5-10 years of experience in senior leadership role, special emphasis on program management 
• Has leadership experience from Nepal or from other countries in South Asia, in-depth local contextual knowledge is valuable attribute
• Documented experience on successfully attracting new donor funding 
• Strong asset, if the candidate has already existing networks and relationship with humanitarian and development players in country, as well as Government of Nepal, local NGO partners, civil society and the private sector
• Understanding on nexus-programming and localization
• Understanding of legal framework for local civil society and businesses in Nepal 
• Experience in FCAs thematic areas: Right to Quality Education, Right to Livelihoods and Right to Peace, particularly on Women’s Economic Empowerment and Enterprise Development  
• Experience in leading self-implemented, partner-implemented and consortium operations
• Results-oriented and effective decision-maker
• Excellent communicator
• Cultural sensitivity, diplomatic and constructive approach to leading people
• High level of awareness and sensitivity to gender equality and social inclusion dimensions in teams and partnerships
• Preferably previous experience in working with Finnish donors, Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, EU, GIZ, UN, Embassies, etc.
• Excellent writing and speaking skills in English

The contract duration is for two years; extension of contract is negotiable. The compensation is based on FCA Compensation System and depends on prior work experience. FCA Nepal terms of employment for local staff apply.

Start date for this position: Tentatively Mid May-early June 2025 / to be negotiated

Please apply by using the link (Country Director based in Nepal) no later than 3 March 2025.  Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for an interview on a rolling basis. 

Finn Church Aid (FCA) is Finland’s largest development co-operation organization and the second biggest organization in Finland working in humanitarian aid. FCA is a founding member of the international aid alliance of churches, ACT Alliance. We seek positive change by supporting the most vulnerable people in fragile contexts. We specialize in supporting local communities’ right to peace, livelihoods and quality education. Qualified and interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion or ethnic affiliation are encouraged to apply for the vacancy.

FCA practices zero tolerance against child abuse. FCA’s Child Safeguarding Policy applies to all FCA staff. FCA has zero tolerance concerning aid diversion and illegal actions and may screen applicants against international lists to ensure due diligence and compliance with Anti-money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism requirements.

Finn Church Aid has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, and participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

FCA is certified against the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS).