Various Positions

Center for People and Forests (RECOFTC Nepal)

About Center for People and Forests (RECOFTC Nepal)

Center for People and Forests, also known as RECOFTC Nepal, is a registered company not distributing profit. RECOFTC Nepal works to promote and prepare resilient communities where landscapes are sustainably managed, and benefits are shared fairly and equitably. We adopt a long-term, landscape-based, and inclusive approach to help local communities secure their resource use rights, promote sustainable forest management, advocate for gender equity and equality, and enhance the livelihoods of forest communities. With years of experience working with people and forests, we have cultivated trusting relationships with partners at all levels. Our influence and partnerships extend from multilateral institutions to governments, the private sector, and local communities.

Job Descriptions

1. Project Manager (Contingent to Donor Funding approval)

Designation: Project Manager

Location: Lalitpur, Nepal

Position Summary

Center for People and Forests (RECOFTC Nepal) is seeking a Project Manager to lead a dynamic team in implementing an anticipated project that aims to increase the income of marginalized and vulnerable households through environmentally and economically sustainable and resilient livelihood solutions in western cluster across three municipalities of Dang and Gulmi in Lumbini Province, Nepal. The project will promote local economic opportunities for marginalized communities by strengthening institutional capacities for collective action and empowering local communities to influence decision-making. The position is contingent upon receipt of donor funding.

The Project Manager will be responsible for overall strategic vision, project management, administration, and implementation of the anticipated project. The Project Manager will maintain system for project operations in close coordination with program integration unit, ensure that the project meets its targets and deliverables on time and within budget; oversee field team and ensure accountability to RECOFTC Nepal policies and donor rules and regulations. The Project Manager leads strategic planning and provides guidance to ensure the integration of strategies and responsible for managing relationships with project stakeholders including local governments, provincial and federal government ministries, local partners, private sector actors, other development projects, short-term technical assistance providers, and local institutions contributing to the achievement of objectives.

Specific tasks and duties include:

Strategic Vision

• Provide overall strategic direction, leadership, technical and operational management of the project team to ensure the timely and quality delivery of project objectives.
• Support development of cross-team coordination mechanisms to ensure effective collaboration and integration across key thematic areas and functions.
• Contribute to and oversee learnings of the project and share them with stakeholders.

Project Management

• Develop the strategic and operational plan for project activities, proactively monitor progress, and resolve issues as they arise.
• Take initiative to implement collective actions to ensure project milestones are met.
• Oversee financial and administrative aspects of the project including support on financial oversight and procedures, ensuring compliance with established accounting principles of RECOFTC Nepal and donor regulations.
• Serve as the primary contact for donor communications, ensuring sound and proactive communications.
• Provide managerial and programmatic oversight to sub-partners.
• Prepare and submit reports to donors, partners, and authorities on project objectives, activities, progress, and achievements to ensure transparent and accurate documentation for accountability.
• Analyze and evaluate project operations regularly to identify and address any emerging issues, using data-driven insights to enhance performance.
• Oversee the timely and budget-compliant delivery of project activities, meeting quality standards as outlined in the project plan.
• Conduct regular field visits to the project areas to assure project progress towards activity objectives and goals.

Project Implementation

• Lead stakeholder engagement for this project with stakeholders at federal, province and local levels, ensuring necessary approvals and collaboration as required to implement the project. 
• Create and follow effective stakeholder management plans, ensuring sound communications with government of Nepal authorities, and peer agencies.
• Lead technical input, guidance and communication for the project’s strategies, providing technical direction, developing work plans in collaboration with project team, monitoring implementation and impact, coaching staff in all relevant technical areas as required.
• Ensure that project participants are effectively targeted according to the project implementation criteria.
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
• In coordination with the communication and MEL officer, ensure that robust MEL, knowledge management and quality assurance systems are in place, adhered to and used as decision making tools to inform adaptive management, while also capturing best practices and lessons learned.
• Ensure project implementation is on time, target, and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.

Representation and Coordination

• Serve as principal liaison to donor for the anticipated project.
• Represent RECOFTC Nepal at donor as well as designated meetings including regular participation in donor groups and related committees.
• Develop, maintain and strengthen working relationships with key partners, including federal ministries, provincial ministries, local governments, international organizations and other donors, private sector, NGOs, universities and the media to identify and implement efforts to increase coordination and collaboration among key stakeholders.
• Serve as the project’s representative on inter-agency forums, working groups, and coordination committees.
• Organize site visits and prepare materials for delegations from USAID, and/or other agencies.

Supervisory Relationship:

The project manager works under the direct supervision of the Managing Director of RECOFTC Nepal.

Supervisory responsibility:

The project manager directly supervises four professional staff and oversees a team of fourteen field staff.

Qualifications and experience

The project manager will have the following qualifications and experience:

• Master’s degree in Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, Agriculture, or a related field.
• At least twelve (12) years of proven leadership experience in donor-supported livelihood and economic development programs, with a solid understanding of USAID policies and procedures relevant to project management.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of community-led enterprise, equity, empowerment, natural resource management, and livelihood programs, with experience working with marginalized and indigenous communities.
• Proficiency in program strategy development, goal setting, implementation, monitoring, and documentation.
• Exhibited strong conflict management skills, effectively mediating disputes and fostering collaboration among team members.
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop and communicate a shared vision among diverse partners and lead multi-disciplinary, multicultural teams.
• Ability to work in a diverse environment and uphold DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) principles in interactions with external stakeholders and within the workplace.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English and Nepali.

2. Deputy Project Manager (Contingent to Donor Funding approval)

Designation: Deputy Project Manager

Location: Dang, Nepal

Position Summary

Center for People and Forests (RECOFTC Nepal) is seeking a Deputy Project Manager to lead a dynamic field team in implementing an anticipated project that aims to increase the income of marginalized and vulnerable households through environmentally and economically sustainable and resilient livelihood solutions in western cluster across three municipalities of Dang and Gulmi in Lumbini Province, Nepal. The project will promote local economic opportunities for marginalized communities by strengthening institutional capacities for collective action and empowering local communities to influence decision-making.

The Deputy Project Manager based in Dang will be responsible for the management of the field office; overall coordination and partnership management for the field level implementation of the anticipated project; coordinating with local partners, community-level farmers and/or other targeted groups, public and private sector actors and relevant business development agencies. S/he will support the Project Manager in technical leadership in enterprise and market development, oversee and provide technical expertise in project planning and implementation; and handle administrative and supervisory responsibilities. S/he will manage relationships with government agencies and key stakeholders at the local level and serve as the secretary for the Project Coordination Committee (PCC). The Deputy Project Manager will work closely with Technical Coordinators, providing technical advice and supervision in the market/enterprise development components in each location, and across different target areas and markets. S/he will be responsible for building the capacity of the partner staff, private and public sector partners for the quality implementation of project interventions. S/he will also need to work closely with relevant agency funded projects working in the western cluster to synergize efficiency and impacts of the anticipated project.

Specific tasks and duties include:

Project Management and Delivery

• Lead the technical implementation of Outcome 2, focusing on strategies to increase access to markets and essential services, thereby enhancing economic opportunities.
• Design and facilitate capacity-building initiatives that empower local actors to connect with markets and financial institutions effectively.
• Coordinate with market actors, financial institutions, and other relevant stakeholders to create sustainable pathways for households to access economic opportunities.
• Provide oversight for the activities under Outcome 1 and Outcome 3, ensuring they align with project objectives and contribute to overall project success.
• Conduct regular field visits and joint monitoring visits to the project areas to assure project progress towards activity objectives and goals.
• Assist the Project Manager with key project management tasks, including monitoring progress and preparing detailed donor reports to meet funding requirements.
• Serve as acting Project Manager as needed.

Representation and Coordination

• Serve as the secretary for the Project Coordination Committee (PCC), coordinating meetings, agendas, and follow-up actions.
• Represent RECOFTC Nepal in coordination with the Project Manager at USAID, as well as in designated sub-national and national meetings, including regular participation in donor groups and related committees.
• Develop, maintain and strengthen working relationships with key partners, including provincial ministries, local governments, international organizations and other donors, private sector, NGOs, universities and the media to identify and implement efforts to increase coordination and collaboration among key stakeholders.
• Assist Project Manager in organizing site visits and preparing orientation materials for delegations from USAID, and/or other agencies and serve as project focal point if needed.

Sub-partner management

• Oversee and coordinate the activities of sub-partners in Gulmi and Dang, serving as the primary point of contact for sub-partner reporting.
• Manage relationships with government agencies, and other key stakeholders at the local level to foster strong collaborations and support project objectives.
• Lead routine meetings with the sub-partners to discuss technical and programmatic direction of the project.
• Oversees project interventions to build the capacity of sub-partners to implement integrated project initiatives.
• Oversee the daily operations and overall management of the Project Field Office, Dang and sub-partner office ensuring compliance with established RECOFTC Nepal accounting principles and USAID regulations.

Supervisory Relationship:

The Deputy Project Manager will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager.

Supervisory responsibility:

The deputy project manager directly supervises three professional staffs based in Project Field Office.

Qualifications and experience

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Resource Economics, Agriculture Economics or a related field.
• At least ten (10) years of proven experience in donor-supported livelihood and economic development programs, with a solid understanding of USAID policies and procedures relevant to project management.
• Experienced in working with local government and market actors, with strong skills in engaging diverse stakeholders. Possesses deep knowledge and understanding of community-led enterprise and livelihood programs, including experience working with marginalized and indigenous communities.
• Proficiency in program strategy development, goal setting, implementation, monitoring, and documentation.
• Exhibited strong conflict management skills, effectively mediating disputes and fostering collaboration among team members.
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop and communicate a shared vision among diverse partners and lead multi-disciplinary, multicultural teams.
• Ability to work in a diverse environment and uphold DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) principles in interactions with external stakeholders and within the workplace.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English and Nepali.

RECOFTC’s core values

At RECOFTC, our core values are the foundation of our culture and guide all our work. In addition to job-specific skills and experience, the applicant should possess the following characteristics, attitudes and skills:

• Embrace innovation
• Adapt to and learn from challenges
• Nurture commitment, responsibility and ownership
• Collaborate with partners and stakeholders
• Commit to sustainability
• Cultivate participation, gender equality and social inclusion
• Prioritize well-being

Application procedures

Qualified and interested individual can submit their latest CV, expected salary along with the cover letter (mention the position in the subject applied for) and recent passport size photograph by email within 17:00 hrs. 26th Jan 2025 to: Email: nepal-recruitment@recoftc.org