Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment, educational details, behavioural and technical/ professional skills questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only with all the required details and the shortlisting is not basis CV/ cover letter. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
Main Purpose Of Job:
How we approach our work is important. The How We Work Statement (below) sets out the ambition we share across the FCDO for how we lead and behave towards each other, how we make decisions, and how we get the job done. Some aspects may be particularly relevant to this role.
- We put respect and kindness first. We are inclusive, we get to know each other, and value our diversity and the contribution we each bring. We are fair, act with integrity, and tackle inequality and unacceptable behaviour. We work together and take responsibility to solve problems.
- We draw on the expertise, insight and diverse perspectives of people across the FCDO, HMG, and beyond. We use the best available data and evidence. We are open to challenge and take a sustainable, long-term approach. We are transparent about the rationale for decisions and smart about taking and managing risks.
- We are agile and alert to emerging opportunities. We encourage learning, innovation and use of data and digital. We are all clear on what we are expected to deliver and support each other in doing so. We look to reduce duplication and unnecessary process. We are committed to transforming both the FCDO and the way HMG delivers international policy.
Description Of The Embassy And Team:
The British Embassy Kathmandu (BEK) represents all of the UK government interests in Nepal, including our bilateral, defence co-operation, development support, and trade.
The Embassy Focuses On Five Key Areas:
- Supporting a more open and democratic society in Nepal resulting in more representative, inclusive and effective governance at all three levels of government.
- Continue the recruitment of Gurkhas into the British Army as well as support capable security and rule of law institutions that protect the rights of all people will strengthen Nepal’s stability.
- Support Nepal’s transition to sustainable lower-middle income country (LMIC) status through facilitating inclusive and greener growth, increased investment and more open trade
- Support Nepal to implement the ambitious climate targets adopted at COP26 that will reduce emissions, build resilience, and put Nepal on a path to a green recovery.
- Promote girls’ education and the rights of women and girls in Nepal. You will become part of a collegial Embassy team, and be responsible for a rewarding, engaging and transformational portfolio of work.
This is an exciting time to join BEKs governance work. A new 9-year governance portfolio programme has just been approved that will frame BEKs engagement on governance in Nepal across two election cycles. This will focus on implementation of federalism, inclusive development and democratic resilience. In addition, BEK recently embarked on an ambitious agenda of external dialogue and new collaborative ways of working with implementing partners putting governance evidence at the centre of BEKs approach.
The role sits in the Governance Team within the Governance and Social Development Group and supports BEK’s governance portfolio, as well as the wider BEK approach to governance across its entire portfolio. The Post Holder will join a core group of Governance Advisers who work across BEK and will report to the Governance Team Leader.
This position will establish and maintain relationships for technical guidance and support with the FCDO governance cadre, and relevant teams and staff from FCDO’s UK headquarters.
Main Purpose Of Job:
Main purpose of this Country Based Staff (CBS) position is to serve as Grade 7 Subnational Governance Adviser (GA) for the British Embassy Kathmandu. The Post Holder will lead BEKs work on supporting federalism to deliver better development outcomes, and in particular focus on how institutions at federal, provincial and local level are collaborating to deliver better local governance and services for Nepali people.
The Post Holder will be expected to deliver strong political economy analysis about public sector and state-society relations, and expected to oversee BEK’s support to Government-programmes that support implementation of political, administrative and fiscal federalism. The Post Holder will be an expert in public sector reform processes focused on devolution and inclusion, and will also advise BEK on how to embed strategic and catalytic work on anti-corruption in the programme portfolio.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:
The Job Holder Will Be Responsible For:
- Leading governance analysis and evidence agendas to inform BEKs engagement on implementing federalism in Nepal. This includes analysis and advice on the development of key institutions such as the legal framework, the devolution of power and mandates within state institutions at federal, provincial and local levels, and the transformation of state-society relations.
- Leading political economy analysis of public sector reform and corruption within sectors, enabling provision of high-quality governance advice to BEK sector programmes that work with subnational organisations to deliver services e.g. health, education, infrastructure and WASH. This may include working with BEK’s lead governance adviser on Public Financial Management to ensure effectiveness and coherence of fiscal federalism and fiduciary risk management approaches within sector programmes.
- Supporting BEK to engage more effectively at subnational levels, including through collaboration with and informing the work of BEK’s Provincial Engagement Facility. This could involve ensuring that BEK has up to date political economy analysis of particular provinces and local governments, as well as working with the Politics and Partnership Teams to shape BEK’s subnational policy and development dialogues.
- Leading advisory inputs to BEKs contribution to the Provincial and Local Governance Strengthening Programme, and lead dialogue with Government of Nepal and subnational governments and associated stakeholders, such as the Provincial about how to best support improved inter-governmental relations, administrative reforms.
- Leading governance advice on BEK’s most effective use of technical assistance, especially to government at all levels, in support of wider objectives on system strengthening and service delivery.
- Provide support to BEK’s efforts to develop local leadership and establish modern partnerships for development. This will include providing advice to how BEK and its Portfolio Partners can work together differently to achieve greater localisation and system strengthening.
- In coordination with the Governance Adviser for BEKs Green Growth Group, work to identify opportunities to support politically smart, locally led anti-corruption work and advising on BEK’s approach on anti-corruption.
About You:
This is an important position that supports a core pillar of BEK’s work. It requires knowledgeable and collaborative governance adviser with a deep understanding of Nepal’s governance change processes. The post holder will be an authority on subnational governance and devolution and will be able influence a range of stakeholders including government and other Development Partners, and to effectively communicate how to maximise governance impact of sector interventions.
The post holder will be interested in an externally facing position and be enthusiastic about building an extended network of contacts particularly at the subnational level with government, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders. The post holder must be pro-active in effectively supporting and influencing subnational engagement across the Embassy and be expected to spend at least 25% of their time in BEK priority provinces of Madhesh, Lumbini, and Karnali.
We Are Looking For Someone With:
- Solid governance expertise with experience of advising on and delivering ODA programmes in collaboration with host governments, civil society, academia, and other development partners.
- Proven ability to apply Political Economy Analysis to address development problems and challenges, ideally in a federal context.
- Proven ability to work across multiple areas and disciplines in a flexible manner, identifying strategic priorities and opportunities as they evolve.
- Strong communication and influencing skills and a track record of being able to effectively influence policy and programmes across a larger organisation and in networks with partners.
- Experience of engaging on policy development, whilst coordinating with multiple stakeholders across a larger organisation and with external stakeholders.
- A commitment to collaboration, learning, and inclusion who can role model and champion BEK values.
