Program Manager

Program Manager-Nepalgunj

Program Department - EuroAsia Unit/ Nepal

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Program design and management
• Representation and Coordination with authorities and relevant stakeholders 
• Advocacy and Communication
• Reporting, monitoring, and evaluation
• Other duties as per need.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

The post holder will perform her / his tasks and responsibilities under the supervision of the General Coordinator. She/He proactively ensuring the program development/support in conducting exploratory activities according to MdM guidelines and values. The Program Manager ensures the consistency and quality of all activities carried out by the implementing partners with MdM support through constant coordination and communication with all involved bodies. S/he ensures the consistency and quality of the data collection and reporting process and contributes to the visibility and valorisation of the program and its achievements. 

ROLES:

I Essential duties -Nepalgunj site:

• To coordinate overall programmatic aspects of MdM programme in Nepalgunj
• To supervise, monitor, analyse and evaluate MdM project outcomes.
• To ensure quality of the programme through regular technical supervision and support to project teams in the implementation through local partner.
• To manage programme technical personnel providing sufficient support.
• To manage base office operation in Nepalgunj.
• To contribute to programmes strategic plans and reviews in line with MdM policies and priorities.
• To support the development of new programmes and follow up on innovative approaches.
• To represent the organisation to relevant external stakeholders
• To contribute to regular internal and external reports

II Responsibilities in detail: 

1. PROGRAM AND PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT.

• Ensure effective and efficient program implementation, quality delivery of the program activities by MdM team, local implementing partner in accordance with MdM guidelines and policy, and with National policies in Nepalgunj. Contribute to the development and implementation of the reference documents.
• Ensure that the project objectives and targets are achieved in a timely manner and that activities are carried out according to MdM standards: the major outputs are to 1) Waste workers and farmers strengthen their individual and collective capacities to prevent harm related to waste management and pesticides’ use and mitigate environmental exposure. 2) Waste workers and farmers have access to quality health care and occupational health services, through existing health facilities. 3) Coordination between local actors and stakeholders is improved and contributes to safer and more decent practices in waste management and farming as well as their recognition of environmental, social, and health consequences due to waste handling and pesticides’ use. 4) Sustainable alternatives and initiatives are supported in waste management and organic farming, contributing to improving the health of targeted workers and the community at large, as well as protecting the environment in the long term. 
• Monitor the context, propose adjustments in all reference documents, plans, schedule according to any relevant changes.
• Prepare annual, quarterly and monthly plans and Standard Operational Procedures for execution of the project activities in accordance with the program logical framework and global Gantt chart.
• Supervision and mobilization of project team including concerns related with logistics/admin/HR issues, organize regular meetings within the project team, share relevant information, discuss the problems & solutions and create a constructive work environment.
• Identify needs for technical assistance to Local implementing partners staffs, MdM local base team and associated partners and coordinate capacity strengthening activities, including trainings, orientations and guidance.
• Responsible to contribute on budget development and budget revision as budget holder of the project activities. 
• Ensure project expenses are planned and realized according to the allocated budget lines,  scheduled time and forecast in the budget with the support of the Coordination team. 
• Responsible for management of base office operation in Nepalgunj. Validate the local operational expense and payments through cashbox.
• Coordinate with local authorities, MdM team in Nepalgunj and coordination office in Kathmandu, beneficiaries and stakeholders; propose and facilitate operational meetings and steering committees as per need.
• Plan and conduct regular field visits to ensure the quality of the project implementation and organize the support and monitoring visits from coordination office
• Contribute to local information to develop new program proposals for grant applications, involve in assessments or surveys, and report to relevant MdM staffs.
• Prepare regular quality report for donor reporting and MdM HQ reporting and submit to General coordinator on time.
• Support to Local implementing partner for the implementation monitoring system (Monitools) with support from MdM mission M&E officer.
• Manage, support and guide MdM field staff and Local implementing partner for the effective and efficient implementation of designed project.

2. REPRESENTATION AND COORDINATION WITH AUTHORITIES AND RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS

• Coordinate with authorities, relevant agencies and external partners depending on the project development and needs.
• Coordinate with national, provincial and local health and other authorities for medical emergency preparedness and response action.
• Participate to local authorities’ meetings and any other relevant meetings at local, regional, provincial and national level, representing MdM when necessary. Prepare and disseminate operational meetings minutes, steering committee meetings minutes
• Represent MdM and participate in relevant events, platforms and forums & increase program visibility

3. ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATION

• Contribute to the development of the Country Advocacy Strategy
• Locally implement the Program Advocacy Strategy, including legal and political analysis and update in identified areas of advocacy, campaigns, lobbying towards authorities and relevant stakeholders, in close coordination with the partners
• Coordinate with recognized authorities and national universities for the implementation research to generate scientific evidence for advocacy.
• Develop networking with key stakeholders at local and regional levels and participate in national, regional or international conferences and events in identified areas of advocacy.

4. REPORTING, MONITORING AND EVALUATION

• Implement and follow up effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in coordination with MdM Nepalgunj team, mission coordination office and local implementing partners to ensure project objective.
• Contribute to provide guidelines, templates, training, and support to Nepalgunj team members involved in data collection, ensure the monitoring tools are operated correctly.
• Be accountable for ensuring quality data entering in relevant tools, such as Monitool, for the activities in Nepalgunj. Contribute to analyze of programs’ results and potential corrective measures to be taken, in collaboration with General Coordinator.
• Responsible for periodic reporting from Nepalgunj in quality and timely manner to Coordination office in Kathmandu as per need of MdM HQ, government authorities, funding agencies etc.
• Prepare, implement, and facilitate evaluation process according to the initial project timeline and in coordination with government authorities, donors and MdM Kathmandu coordination team.

5. OTHERS

• Contribute to the development of general strategy for MdM activities.
• Ensure MdM’s safety measures and contribute to conduct regular safety (SOPs) briefing regarding equipment, movements and means of communication to Nepalgunj staff. Report immediately to General Coordinator for any kind of present or potential risk or damages.
• Contribute in the design, planification and implementation of any field assessment, in coordination with Kathmandu coordination team

Context: 

For more than 40 years, Médecins du Monde (MdM), a campaigning medical organization committed to international solidarity, has been caring for the most vulnerable populations at home and abroad. It has continued to highlight obstacles that exist in accessing health care and has secured sustainable improvements in health-for-all policies. Those working for this independent organization do not solely dispense care and treatment but condemn violations of human dignity and rights and fight to improve matters for populations living in precarious situations. MdM currently works in more than 44 countries across all continents where it focuses on 5 priority areas: caring for the health of migrants and displaced persons, promoting sexual and reproductive health, combating HIV, and reducing the harm and risks associated with drug use, crises and conflicts and environmental health.

MdM has worked in Nepal since 1995: firstly, on Tuberculosis and HIV in western province, then on Sexual and Reproductive Health in Sindhupalchok District. Following the 2015 earthquakes, MdM implemented an emergency response program and then, a post-earthquake early recovery project in the same district.

Since 2018, MdM is working on Environmental Health. The 2018-2019 “Healthy Waste Workers in Kathmandu Valley” program aimed to improve health status of informal waste workers (IWWs) in the Valley, mitigating their occupational risks and environmental exposure, improving access to information, and increasing access to health services in Teku, Shantinagar and Sisdole landfill sites. In continuation, the 3-years program started in 2020, aims to improve health, wellbeing, and livelihood of IWWs in Kathmandu Valley and Sisdole landfill. The strategy consists in: 1. formalization of IWWs through non-profit enterprises and increasing their recognition in integrated solid waste management in urban cities, 2.  increasing risk mitigation and promotion of decent safe work opportunities in current activities and through innovation contributing to improve solid waste management and 3. increasing access to quality health services for IWWs and the community through promotion of Urban Health Promotion Center in Ward 19 and in Kakani’s Rural Health Center. 

Nepal is currently facing several interrelated societal and environmental challenges that must be addressed together. The country has begun to recover from the 2015 earthquakes, but the COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on the country's economy. Agriculture is the most important economic sector, contributing 27.6% of the national GDP (Gross Domestic Product) (source: Economic Survey FY 2019-2020), thus 60.4% of Nepali working people depend on agriculture for their livelihood. In addition, the transportation of produce remains a major challenge in this mountainous country where many areas are difficult to access. The process of transitioning to commercial agriculture has begun, resulting in the massive use of chemical inputs to increase production and disastrous consequences for the environment and the health of farmers. This project will continue the development of economic recovery activities, with a focus on organic agriculture and farmers' health, in a target area of 6 rural municipalities. Around these themes, the agricultural cooperatives of the partner will develop several activities such as the creation of model farms, the dissemination of resilient farming methods adapted to climate change via leading farmers, the creation of nurseries to produce locally adapted seeds, training in methods of protection against chemical inputs and awareness of the risks associated with their use etc. Following the earthquake in Jajarkot in November 2023, MdM implemented an emergency medical response program for a few months.

Because of the emergency relief nature of MDM’s work, working hours may be irregular and employees are expected to be flexible in their approach to working hours under emergency conditions.

SKILLS REQUIRED:

Experience

• A minimum of 5 years in relevant experience in NGO/INGO, in public health sector, in program implementation, management and coordination,
• Experience with locality and communities of Lumbini, Karnali and Far west.
• Experience in program planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience in managing a team.
• Experience in working with communities and less advantaged / marginalized beneficiaries.
• Experience working with partners/partner organizations and government authorities. 

Education and Skills 

• Master’s degree in Public Health , social work, Sociology Field, program development. 
• Proactive, well organized and ability to manage priorities, adaptable, reliable, accountable, and responsive personality.
• Leadership, team-working and coordination skills
• Interpersonal and verbal communication abilities, charisma, tact and diplomacy, intercultural and difference awareness
• Assertiveness, mediation and negotiation, problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Familiar with computer skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Office 365, SharePoint, and other communications tools.
• Excellent reporting and written skills: able to read, write and communicate in English at professional level.

Languages: 

• Nepali: fluent - both oral and written
• English: fluent - both oral and written
• Awadhi and others local language: preferred
• French: Preferred

Notes to Candidates:

Nationality: Nepalese 

Duration: 1 Year (renewal)

Duty Station: Nepalgunj 

Anticipated Start Date: As soon as possible in March / April 2024

Number of positions: 1

Closing date of application: 10th March 2024

How to Apply:

Candidates are requested to 

1. Send a letter of interest mentioning position applied with an updated CV in English with two professional references to info.mdmfrance@gmail.com  
2. Fill up the online job application form with all relevant information at the link here https://forms.office.com/e/V8KaRVXSxf . 

Médecins du Monde Nepal reserves the right to cancel, postpone or modify the whole recruitment process without providing any reasons whatsoever.

Médecins du Monde (MdM) is an equal opportunity employer. MDM refuses in its action any discrimination for reasons of nationality, race, gender, religion, class, language, origin or political opinion.