Girls and Inclusive Education Network (GIEN) Technical Officer-Lumbini Province

Girls and Inclusive Education Network (GIEN) Technical Officer – “Hamro Pratigya”

 Location: Lumbini Province

Duration: July 2024 to 30 April 2025 (with possibility of extension)

Reports to: GIEN Lead

Opening: 1 position

Application Timeline: July 7, 2024

Introduction

People in Need (PIN) is a non-governmental, non-profit, international organization founded in the Czech 1992. PIN arrived in Nepal as part of a humanitarian response to the April 25, 2015 earthquake. Since its inception in Nepal, PIN has had a strong role in designing and facilitating systemic solutions advocating for and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations affected by disasters including person categories who live in geographically remote areas of the country, historically marginalized ethnic groups, and those marginalized because of their age and/or gender identity. Currently, PIN Nepal is implementing programmes under three strategic pillars 1) Emergency response and recovery, 2) Climate resilience, and 3) Civil society and inclusive governance. PIN Nepal team works in and promotes strong partnerships with civil society, Government of Nepal, academia, private sector and other key stakeholders in Nepal. Together with them, PIN Nepal has become one of the pioneer organizations advancing programmes such as landslide disaster preparedness and anticipatory action, climate and flood resilient housing, durable local solutions, climate change modelling for more inclusive and efficient local decision-making, girls and inclusive education, waste management and circular economy approaches. PIN is strongly committed for safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults, including persons with disabilities, in line with its safeguarding framework and child protection policy.

About the Project

Hamro Pratigya – Our Promise: Empowering Voices, Ending Gender-Based Violence Project under Security and Justice Programme 

Eliminating gender-based violence (GBV) is central to the United Kingdom (UK) government’s commitment to women and girls. This project is envisaged in the context of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO)’s International Strategy on Women and Girls (2023-2030), the UK Gender Equality Act 2014, and the British Embassy Kathmandu (BEK) Country Plan, in particular, the goal defined as ‘Changes in social norms in key institutions and society mean less acceptance of GBV’. The project is strongly aligned with BEK’s commitments to the (a) transition to federalism in line with the 2015 constitution and (b) inclusive development, leaving no-one behind in the effort to empower the poor and traditionally marginalised and to improve service delivery to them.  A multi-year project directly funded by FCDO for up to £8 million from 1 April 2024 to 31 December 2027. It is expected that the programme will directly benefit community members, Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) across 3 provinces, including community schools. The priority provinces are: Madhesh, Lumbini, and Karnali.

Scope of Work

Under the direct supervision of the GIEN Lead, GIEN Technical Officer will support Project team in the effective implementation of the related activities under the Hamro Pratigya project and represent PIN at Provincial and local/district level. Girls and Inclusive Education Network (GIEN) is an inclusive forum led by the government of Nepal in line with the Nepal School Education Sector Plan (SESP) in all three layers of government including in seven provinces, formed, strengthened, & being mobilized with the support of like-minded partner organizations to promote the protection & education rights of girls, children with disability & children from marginalized communities by reducing harmful practices, gender-based violence & promoting women leadership & positive masculinity. Together with GIEN Lead based in Kathmandu, the position of Technical Officer for GIEN is to support the project, government and partners in strengthening GIEN, promoting multi-stakeholder (Governments and Development Partners) engagement, and providing technical support to provincial and local government in implementing programs to support the achievement of the Equity and inclusion in education in line with GoN’s School Education Sector Plan (SESP). She/he/they will ensure effective and timely coordination with the project team of Hamro Pratigya project, local, districts and provincial stakeholders including EDCU and DCC and partners for all aspects of the project and successful completion of assigned responsibilities.

The position, in direct supervision of GIEN Lead and coordination with SJP Project Manager, and project team, should plan effectively and implement GIEN initiatives aligning with government priorities, and support implementation, monitoring, quality assurance, documentation, and support GIEN Lead in various stakeholder engagement for GIEN promotion at district and Province.  The position will be based in the Lumbini province office and will work with GIEN Lead, SJP Project Manager, and project team of SJP project across districts and local level of Lumbini Province in executing the GIEN plans and programs.

All PIN staff agree to:

• Comply with all relevant PIN policies, Country Program Policies, and guidelines related to their position.
• Show a strong commitment to the inclusion of all groups within Nepal and dedication to PIN Nepal’s Inclusion Guidelines.
• Perform and accurately complete administrative tasks related to their position.
• Strive for quality in all aspects of their work and ensure the highest quality performance of the Country Program.
• Maintain a positive attitude and promote a professional & productive working environment across all staff, departments, and among all of PIN’s partners.
• Adhere to PIN Code of Conduct and key policies including Anticorruption Policy, Child Protection Policy and Safeguarding Policy.

 Key Summary of Functions

• Support to plan and implement PIN Nepal’s GIEN action plans and priorities, and ensure the achievement of their key deliverables.
• Act as PIN’s focal person in local level, district, and province level coordination for GIEN and initiate the coordination meetings as necessary for effective mobilization of GIEN. As a focal person ensure proper implementation of GIEN intervention in the province and subsequent levels of government.
• Support to map out the GIEN capacity at province, local and school level, develop capacity development plan along with the GIEN Lead, and carry out the capacity development of GIENs for their institutionalization, operationalization, and sustainability, working together with government, technical and development partners.
• Support and guide partners on scale-up of GIEN formation and mobilization at districts and Local Government, and technically support with capacity strengthening of GIEN members.
• Assess the functional status of GIEN at school, local, and provincial levels, and prepare and support to implement the strategic plan for their effective operationalization.
• Endorsement, effective planning, and mobilization of all three layers of GIEN (school/community, Local, and Province level)
• Responsible for timely completion of project activities related to GIEN as per the project document and budgetary plan.
• Support the GIEN Lead to develop monthly, and quarterly action plans in line with an annual detailed implementation plan.
• Engage with GIEN Lead to provide timely feedback to the programme team determining programmatic adaptations/modifications in response where appropriate;

Project Implementation

• Support GIEN Lead in the development and oversee the implementation of project interventions under the projects related to GIEN
• Support GIEN Lead and project team to plan GIEN initiatives and to manage implementation of projects in field level jointly with partners in line with the proposal strategies and donor requirements; along with working jointly with project teams of both projects and partners for scaling up GIEN and related interventions
• Assist GIEN Lead to carry out the capacity development and community engagement activities with/for partners, communities and local stakeholders that are directly linked with project activities related to GIEN
• Support GIEN Lead to develop reports on activities and outcomes in province (monthly, quarterly and annually and as per requirement).
• Ensure safeguarding of children, vulnerable groups (including people with disabilities) and those in fragile and conflict-affected states at all times.
• Ensure the clear communication flow and coordination between PIN, Partners and Government Stakeholders, other partner and beneficiaries and represent in provincial, local and school level forums across both projects.
• Provide field level information and progress to develop project communication materials related to GIEN and others and endorse GIEN visibility and branding packages to promote and sustain GIEN.
• Support knowledge management and sharing of GIEN including development and implementation of GIEN monitoring, self-assessment, and other monitoring and evaluation tools, and consolidation of M&E reports and share them in the GIEN regular meeting at province, local and school levels.
• Oversee, monitor, and track the GIEN plans and their implementation at local and school level throughout the project period.
• Support to plan a joint monitoring visit together with the government and other development partners to oversee the status of GIEN implementation and provide feedback to support the team.

Representation and Networking

• Ensure that PIN is well represented and visible within the stakeholders mostly in provincial and district (clusters, local/provincial/ government, thematic working groups)
• Provide support to the GIEN lead, SJP Project Manager and partners to organize provincial / district level/local level/orientation/induction in relation to Hamro Pratigya Projects.
• Communicate regularly with GIEN Lead and project team, including MEAL, safeguarding, GEDSI and ensure project visibility working closely with Communication team.
• Timely communicate/report to Accountability and Safeguarding Lead or GEDSI and Protection Lead to ensure safeguarding of child/adult at risk.

Mainstreaming and Quality Management

• Support in mainstreaming and strengthening of GEDSI, GBV mitigation, climate change, DRR and safeguarding agendas within programme planning and implementation in GIEN components
• Support to ensure and strengthen quality focus within the project, across all cross-cutting components in field level

 Program Operations Management

• Act as a Province Lead related to GIEN along with M&E unit to ensure that the partners are on track in terms of meeting deadlines and producing quantitative and qualitative deliverables. 
• Support Safeguarding and Accountability Lead to monitor field staffs’ and partners’ adherence to PIN’s policies and internal procedures, protocols, PIN’s Code of Conduct, with special attention to Safeguarding Standards and Procedure, Case Handling Framework, Child Protection, safeguarding and Do No Harm policies; immediate reporting and redress of any complaints and issues based on its severity.

Safeguarding Responsibility

• Record and report safeguarding concerns in the working area promptly and accurately to Safeguarding and Accountability Lead.
• Support the Safeguarding and Accountability Lead and Safeguarding Technical Officer in managing safeguarding concerns, including investigation and follow-up actions.
• Conduct community awareness activities to raise awareness of PIN’s safeguarding principles and procedures.
• Prepare regular reports on safeguarding activities and provide updates to the Safeguarding and Accountability Lead.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including program teams, to ensure safeguarding considerations are integrated into project activities.

Requirements 

• Knowledge and engagement in SESP and REAL plan, education working group and cluster including federal GIEN strategic plan

• Good knowledge and experience of governance and local level planning process.

• Sound knowledge of Girls Inclusive Education Network (GIEN), approach and mainstreaming with GEDSI policy, education policy; education plan formulation and implementation. 

• Strong commitment and willingness to travel to and work in remote communities of Lumbini Province and other districts/regions as assigned.

• Ability to work effectively with the government agencies and other stakeholders for the effective implementation of the GIEN network and inclusive education interventions.

• Ability to analyse and quickly grasp the fundamentals of a need or issue and be able to find innovative ways of solving cross-cutting problems.

• Sound knowledge on safeguarding mechanism, ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education or social sciences or any related field
• At least 2 years of work experience specifically in education projects, particularly on girls and inclusive education; gender programming and CBOs mobilization.
• Experience in non-formal education, gender transformative approach, protection mainstreaming, Child right advocacy and policy formulation and school governance will be an added value.
• Experience of working with marginalized and vulnerable groups is a plus.
• Experience working with government agencies, education networks, multiple stakeholders or similar kinds of networks at school level, local and province level.

Benefits