Various Positions

Vacancy Announcement

Aasaman Nepal (ASN) ‘A pioneer organization for education and nutrition’, is one of the leading Terai based NGOs led and managed by social activists since its establishment in Dhanusha, Janakpur in 1999. ASN has been engaged in developing and implementing programs aimed at protection, promotion and fulfillment of child rights in Nepal. Currently ASN has been working in 17 districts under 6 Thematic Areas as: Education/Child Protection, Women Empowerment, Livelihood/ Natural Resource Management, Disaster Risk Reduction, Health/ Nutrition and Good Governance.

ASN is implementing "Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) Continuum of Care Project" supported by Population Services International/Nepal (PSI/Nepal) in Dhanusha, Mahottari and Sarlahi districts of Province 2. The objective of program is addressing the prioritized demand and supply-side barriers to increase utilization of MNH services across the continuum of care, by improving linkages and reducing dropouts, ultimately leading to better MNH outcomes. The primary target population of the project will be Women of Reproductive Age (15-49yrs) (WRA), mothers and newborn children (28 days). 

The Aasaman Nepal is looking for the self-motivated, result oriented and hard-working Nepali citizen for the following positions: 

1. Position : Field Coordinator – 2  (Mahottari/Sarlahi- 1 and Dhanusha-1)

Job description

Overall responsibilities:

The Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH), Continuum of Care Project team is responsible for the delivery of high-quality programs against the approved project scope and aligned with the approved budget, working collaboratively with PSI/Nepal and government authorities. The Field Coordinator (FC) is responsible for field level activities including planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting under the guidance of the Project Manager and in collaboration with the M&E officer and Admin and Finance Officer. 

Major duties and responsibilities:

       1. Government coordination/collaboration 

• Manage and maintain effective coordination and collaboration with local government authorities (Health Coordination Units) for smooth implementation of the project.
• Coordinates with government health facilities and providers for linkage of project beneficiaries across the continuum of MNH care
• Ensure that MNH project activities are well understood and recognized at the local level.
• Work closely with local government authorities to strengthen the selected local health facilities for delivering quality MNH services.
• Coordinate and advocate with local governments to include project activities and budget in annual plan, program, and budget of local government during local level planning.

       2. Program planning

• Work closely with and under the guidance of the Program Manager in planning and implementing all activities in the specified district.
• Support Sub-district officers (SDOs) to prepare realistic monthly workplan for effective implementation of project activities
• Engage with PSI/Nepal to implement program implications and action plans based on results of studies conducted
• Implement/support to implement the programmatic decisions of the Program Manager.

       3. Health service strengthening

• Facilitate in initial assessment of birthing centers using QI tools by skilled coaches/mentors followed by semiannual assessment.
• Ensure IEC/BCC and promotional materials are used and managed well at HFs.
• Conduct one to one interaction with providers following PBCC SOP.
• Facilitate for one day whole site/on-site workshop in all HFs for infection prevention in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.
• Coordinate with PSI/N regional office to provide training on ANC and PNC counseling to health workers from non-BC health facilities.
• Conduct follow up assessment of health facilities using government’s MSS tool by mobilizing SDOs to track progress against areas of improvement identified during initial assessment.
• Support in conduction of HFOMC meeting to advocate for the implementation of Aama program and action plan developed after health facility assessment for improving quality of MNH care.
• Work with HFOMC and municipal authorities for implementation of improvement plan prepared after health facility assessment and lobby for resource mobilization in MNH.
• Ensure MNH clinical job aids are distributed to HFs to be used by health workers (SBA providers) during service provision.
• Ensure provision of anatomical models to coach/mentor during onsite coaching and mentoring as well as during refresher trainings for simulation.
• Coordinate with coaches for participation in meetings planned by PSI/Nepal.
• Coordinate with health facilities and municipalities for provision of infrastructure support.
• Ensure distribution of clinical equipment required for ANC/PNC check-up to health posts/outreach clinics and equipment required for normal deliveries to birthing centers as communicated by PSI/Nepal
• Ensure distribution of items necessary for infection prevention including Covid-19 and health care waste management.
• Ensure implementation of action plan prepared after health facility and data quality assessment. 
• Work closely with local government authorities and government health facilities for PNC home visit by health workers and emergency transportation cost for delivery care to poor, marginalized and disabled women. 

      4. Recording, reporting and documentation 

• Collect and submit verified supporting documents of demand generation/BCC activities to LIP office (specially to LIP M&E Officer)
• Build technical capacity of SDOs on digital data collection system and ensure accurate and timely recording and reporting 
• Ensure proper handling and maintenance of digital data collection device as per the PSI/Nepal’s Device Handling SoP.
• Report immediately any technical issues as well as physical damage, lost, theft of digital data collection device of SDOs to concerned LIP staff.
• Prepare and review respective district’s programmatic and financial report and coordinate regularly with the program manager for review and approval.
• Support the documentation of best practices, challenges and lessons learnt to produce knowledge products including success stories and technical briefs for wider dissemination.
• Any other occasional task assigned by the supervisor, and with dotted reporting to M&E officer.

2. Position: Monitoring and Evaluation Officer - (One) Dhanusha

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer is responsible to ensure timely collection of data through digital data collection device, verify and analyze the reported data, share programmatic progress, provide feedback and suggestions to program managers and subordinates on identified gaps and challenges as well as ensure functioning of Management Information System (MIS) as per the requirement of the program; ensure M&E activities are carried out as per the agreed M&E framework and Standard Operating Procedure (SoP); support in carrying out research and learning related activities; and in doing so work collaboratively with PSI/Nepal, government authorities and other relevant stakeholders.

Major duties/responsibilities:

        (1) Recording and Reporting

• M&E officer will ensure recording and reporting (R&R) of project data as per the Monitoring and Evaluation Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) for Maternal and Newborn Health Continuum of Care Project.
• Ensure data are recorded and reported digitally and/or in paper-based forms ensuring data quality standards. 

       (2) Data Quality Assurance

• Ensure data recorded and reported are of quality adopting different data verification approaches as mentioned in M&E SOP.
• Regularly review the data reported in DHIS2 and provide timely feedbacks and suggestions to SDOs and program implementation team when required.
• Conduct bimonthly routine data quality assessment (RDQA) using RDQA tool developed by PSI/Nepal and timely share findings, action points and their follow up to Local Implementing Partner (LIP) team, PSI/Nepal regional and country office team. 
• Provide support to PSI/Nepal team for semi-annual RDQA as well as to health section of each project municipality to organize at least one RDQA annually using RDQA tools as recommended and follow up their action points timely.

       (3) Capacity Building 

• Provide technical support to SDOs, LIP program team and health workers of selected health facilities and health coordinator of the project municipalities on M&E related issues.
• Regularly assess the knowledge and skills of SDOs on recording and reporting and provide onsite coaching and mentoring to address the observed gaps.
• Support LIP project team in developing detail implementation plan, tracking targets and other performance indicators as mentioned in the Scope of Work. 
• Track project progress against the targets and timely update progress, gaps and challenges to LIP and PSI/Nepal team.
• Use monitoring checklist and other necessary tools as recommended during each monitoring visits.

       (4) Data Dissemination and Use

• Analyze the data and share project progress, gaps and challenges during review meetings, staff meeting and board meeting
• Document best practices case stories, success stories to showcase the project activities and outcome, develop and disseminate learning briefs.

       (5) Device handling and Management

• Ensure tablets and other project related devices are handled properly and stored safely as per the Device Handling and Management SOP of PSI/Nepal
• Timely inform PSI/Nepal M&E team at regional and central office for any issues on tablets and other devices

       (6) Logistic Management and other necessary support

• Ensure all the SDOs have R&R tools in sufficient quantity 
• Support printing, storage, and distribution of R&R tools
• Ensure proper documentation of R&R tools at LIP office as recommended by M&E SOP
• Timely provide necessary data and information as requested by program team at LIP and PSI/Nepal 
• Engage in any research/evaluation studies or any other events like Joint Monitoring Visits, MPAC meetings, Provincial and Federal monitoring visits as and when requested by PSI/Nepal 
• Perform other roles and responsibilities as assigned by Program Manager. 

Required Qualifications and Competencies

• Bachelor's Degree in Public Health (BPH) or equivalent with at least 2 years’ experience in program monitoring and evaluation. Such experience in maternal and neonatal health project is preferred. 
• Experience using DHIS2 as well as mobile applications for recording and reporting is preferred.
• Should be proficient in using email/internet and MS Package (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). 
• Should have prior experience using analytical software like SPSS. 
• Well-versed in the Nepali, English, and Maithili languages. 
• Strong inter and intrapersonal communication and coordination skills.

3. Position: Administration and Finance Officer – One – Dhanusha

The Administration and Finance Officer is responsible for overall financial and administrative management of "Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH), Continuum of Care" Project. 

Major duties/responsibilities:

• Manage overall finance and administrative system, and ensure financial records are maintained in compliance with accepted organizational policies and procedures.
• Maintain record of overall expenditure of the program activities and corresponds with program manager, donor and other agencies as per organization necessity.
• Handle day to day accounting transaction of the project activities.
• Ensure develop & maintain for incoming goods, equipment, material and their posting into the proper ledger. 
• Maintain and keep up-to-date records of fixed assets and other consumable goods.
• Ensure proper filing and effective documentation of all papers related to finance and administration.
• Ensure on maintenance of personnel files for all staffs, ensuring proper documentation and confidentiality at all time.
• Ensure attendance, time sheet and salary payment and other necessary forms as required.
• Prepare qualitative and quantitative report of Finance and Administration and correspondence to authorized agencies.
• Prepare bank reconciliation sheet for all the bank accounts on a monthly basis and provide current status of fund, expenditure as and when required.
• Develop a personal file for each staff and maintain confidentiality. Ensure that essential documents are included in the file (appointment letter, performance appraisal form, salary recalculation, growth academic and training certificates, citizenship certificate, prior experiences and credentials, PAN and tax slips etc.).
• Compile, prepare and verify time sheets, salary sheets, tax sheets and leave records for each staff at the end of the month and ensure timely payment of salary in staff’s account and deposit the tax at the IRD (Internal Revenue Department).
• Ensure timely payment of all bills related to water, telephone, internet, rent, electricity, taxation and prepare a list of all deadlines for payment and renewal and ensure that any delayed fees are prevented.
• Review and validate travel and field expenditure submitted by staffs and trustees and recommend to higher authority for the payment.
• Ensure that the periodic financial reports and budget projections (quarterly, annually) are prepared and forwarded to trustees and funders within the stipulated deadlines.
• Keep adequate backup of all financial/audit reports and other important finance/administration related document in appropriate folders in both hard copies and soft copies.
• Conduct and implement activities, job delegated by the Finance Coordinator/Manager.
• Perform any tasks as assigned by the Executive Director.
• Additionally, any task assigned by the line manager- Program Manager, MNH.

Required Qualifications and Competencies

• Bachelor's degree in Business Studies/Administration (BBS/BBA) or equivalent with 3 years’ experience in the similar field.
• Should have advanced financial management skills. 
• Proficient in using internet, and MS Office package.
• Strong inter and intrapersonal communication and coordination skills. 
• Fluent spoken and written skills in English, Nepali and Maithili languages. 
• Familiar with Accounting Software Truebook. 

Languages:   Strong command of Nepali, English (oral and written) and local language preferred.   

Aasaman has zero tolerance of abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people. We expect all our employees/volunteers to ensure we are protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults from harm and abide by our safeguarding policy.

Other Attributes for all positions: Excellent quality of work and commitment to high standards, strong communication skills, team building and willingness and motivation for good service delivery with strong networking and interpersonal skills and comfortable to work under stress and emergencies.

Age Limit: Candidates between 21 years to 55 years are only eligible to apply for the above position, depending upon the nature of job they will carry.

All employees must adhere to child safeguarding in person’s provisions covered in the project agreement.

Monitor staff and partners’ and ensure adherence to Aasaman Nepal's policies and internal procedures, protocols, Aasaman Nepal's code of Conduct with special attention to Safeguarding Standards and Procedure, Case Handling Framework, Child Protection and Do No Harm Policies. Also, immediate reporting and redress of any complaints and issues based on its severity.

Competent candidates from disadvantaged groups and inhabitants of the project districts will be given priority. 

Interested candidates are requested to submit their application along with an updated CV by 7 days through the link provided below (05:00 pm, 11 December 2023).

https://forms.gle/YykAShmCmtAXnfmP8

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for participation in the recruitment process. No telephone enquiry is entertained. 

ASN reserves the right to qualify/disqualify any applications without any reason.