National Democratic Institute - Resident Program Director for Political Parties Program, Nepal

Resident Program Director for Political Parties Program: Nepal February 2020

Contents National Democratic Institute

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Resident Program Director for Political Parties Program: Nepal

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NDI Presence in Nepal

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Duties and Responsibilities

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Political Party Programming

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Required Skills and Experience

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Women’s Political

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Equality Statement

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Participation Organization

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How to Apply

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Chart - Nepal The Role

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About Oxford HR

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National Democratic Institute The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

Since its founding in 1983, NDI has worked with local partners in 156 countries and territories, bringing together individuals and groups to share ideas, knowledge,

experiences and expertise. Partners receive broad exposure to best practices in international democratic development that can be adapted to the needs of their own countries. NDI’s multinational approach reinforces the message that while there is no single democratic model, certain core principles are shared by all democracies.

Supported the efforts of:

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NDI Presence in Nepal NDI has worked in Nepal since 1994, conducting programs for political party and parliamentary development, voter and civic education, domestic election observation, and youth and women’s political empowerment.

After the end of the decade-long civil war in 2006, and an extended period of political disagreements, a new constitution was voted into effect in September 2015. Despite this achievement, Nepal has faced new challenges as devastating earthquakes struck the capital and surrounding districts in 2015. Following the federal and provincial elections that took place in late-2017, and the constitutionallymandated transition to federalism now underway, Nepal’s political institutions

are facing the test to demonstrate their ability to decentralize and increase their responsiveness to the public.

Under the current Niti Sambad (Policy Dialogue) program, NDI is partnering with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) to improve governance systems to increase transparency, inclusivity, and accountability of the federal parliament; support the Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) to institutionalize electoral best practices; and empower political parties to function more effectively, inclusively, and efficiently.

Political Party Programming NDI partners with political parties to improve party structures, promote interparty dialogue, and increase the political participation of women, youth and other minority groups. NDI’s long history of working with legislatures and political parties has demonstrated the crucial role that party organizational structures and internal processes play in supporting good governance at all levels of government. This is particularly important as Nepal adjusts to a new federal structure.

NDI is currently providing assistance on supporting political parties to put in place more inclusive and consultative internal organizational and governance structures consistent with the new federal structure; assisting parties to develop inclusive policy processes and platforms and prioritize and translate them into feasible policy solutions; supporting parties to better respond to citizens’ needs at the local, provincial and federal levels; providing citizens the opportunity to express their opinions to parties; and promoting the sustained inclusion of women and other marginalized groups within the party.

Women’s Political Participation Support for women’s political participation has been a cornerstone of NDI’s programs in Nepal since 1996 when the Institute began leadership training for local women leaders. Since then, NDI has provided campaign skills training to women candidates; supported women political leaders’ efforts to advocate for greater political

representation; and worked with women across political parties to facilitate a mentorship program that brought together newly elected women officials, multiparty and non-party affiliated women leaders.

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Organization Chart - Nepal Sr. Country Director

Sr. Program Advisor

Political Party Program

Resident Sr. Program Director /Team Leader

Parliamentary Program

Government Communications Program

Admin, Finance, Security & HR

M&E Specialist

Sr. Administrative & Finance Manager

Program Specialist

Sr. Program Officers (2)

Sr. Program Officer

Program Assistants (2)

Program Assistant

Sr. Administrative Officer

Office Cleaner

Administrative & Security Assistant

Sr. Finance & HR Officer

Office Drivers (2)

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The Role Job Title:

Resident Program Director for Political Parties Program: Nepal

Job Function:

International

Department:

Asia

Location:

Nepal

Resident Program Director for Political Parties Program: Nepal The National Democratic Institute (NDI) seeks a Resident Program Director to direct its political party development assistance program in Nepal. S/he will report to NDI’s Senior Country Director. Based in Kathmandu, Nepal with frequent incountry travel, the Resident Program Director will assume responsibilities related to the design, implementation, and evaluation of the Institute’s program activities related to political party strengthening.

This position is subject to donor approval. The anticipated start date is early March.

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Duties and Responsibilities • In consultation with the Senior Country Director, plans, designs, implements and evaluates NDI’s political party strengthening programming in collaboration with local partners, in-house experts and external experts and advisors • Provides assistance and team leadership in the day-to-day internal management of political party strengthening activities, and responds to NDI staff inquiries requiring technical expertise on political party work • Provides training and consultation to program partners on topics including: messaging and communications, policymaking procedures, and campaign planning and strategy • Monitors assigned program’s annual budget; provides a full, accurate and timely accounting of assigned program funds • Monitors political events in assigned program areas and reports on political developments in Nepal that may affect program outcomes to the Senior Country Director on a regular basis;

• Establishes and maintains relationships with key partners in government, political parties, civil society and the donor community in relation to program goals and activities • Provides day-to-day management and oversight of local program staff • Along with the Senior Country Director, represents NDI programs in meetings with Nepali political party leaders and candidates, election and government officials, donors and other international organizations, at local and international conferences and meetings, and assists with NDI’s public outreach • As directed by the Senior Country Director, consults regularly with DC staff on program progress and manages the development, review and timely submission of program-related materials, including regular reports that measure and evaluate program results to the Resident Director and NDI/Washington

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Required Skills and Experience • Bachelor’s degree, preferably in international relations or a related subject; additional years of relevant work experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a one-for-one basis • A minimum of fourteen (14) years of relevant work experience in international development, community organizing, political campaigns, organizational development, or parliamentary strengthening • Strong political sense and ability to understand and respond to political developments and challenges in country, and capable of quickly adjusting program response accordingly; • Significant experience in political party strengthening programming and in-person assistance training/oral communications skills to effectively present information, respond to questions and negotiate, including message and policy development, candidate debates, and party outreach in addition to exceptional analytical skills for interpreting complex program and political issues and to think innovatively and introduce new concepts • Exceptional interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all levels of staff, U.S. and foreign government personnel, members of donor organizations, funders, and policymakers • Demonstrated ability to work effectively, including training, with senior political and civic leaders

• Program management and financial management experience, including experience initiating and managing grants. Experience in implementing USAID international development programs preferred • Superior writing skills, clear, persuasive, and experienced enough to edit all types of team documents • A proven track record of working effectively both independently and as a member of a large field team • Experience in results-oriented program design, strategic planning, implementation, and program evaluation • Ability to live and work in a challenging environment • Ability to adjust programmatic activities based on changing political circumstances and in response to needs articulated by local partners and program stakeholders • Working knowledge of PC-based word processing and spreadsheet applications as well as Google Apps (Gmail, Calendar, Google Drive, G+, etc.)

• Seasoned budget and accounting skills • Ability and willingness to travel on a frequent basis within Nepal outside of Kathmandu, including in remote regions and districts, as needed • Professional proficiency in English is required • Highly developed knowledge of the Asia region’s political environment preferred

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Equality Statement NDI welcomes and supports a diverse, inclusive work environment. As such, our commitment is to promote equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all applicants seeking employment and NDI employees. NDI makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status,

place of residence or business, source of income, or reproductive health decision making. Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at NDI. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities and qualified individuals who have limitations due to pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or medical related condition.

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How to Apply All the applications for this role will be managed by the National Democratic Institute directly. If you’re interested in apply please click here.

If you have any queries please send an email to ndi@oxfordhr.co.uk

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About Oxford HR Oxford HR operates globally - mainly within the international development and charity sectors. We carry out retained executive search mandates at board and senior management levels. We also offer human resource and organisational development consultancy.

Oxford HR has many years of experience in search as well as an extensive network of international development, social sector, corporate, public sector, and academic

contacts from across the world. We carry out comprehensive and often international searches designed to meet the specific needs of our clients.

Oxford HR’s team members have significant personal experience of working in international development and the social sector as well as the corporate and governmental sectors. We are in a unique position to find and assess talented individuals from a variety of backgrounds.

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