Back Program Officer for Nepal

Position Title: Program Officer for Nepal

Reports to: Regional Head of Programs – Asia

Position Classification: Consultant

Summary

The main objective of this consultancy is to strengthen and manage Disability Rights Fund and Disability Rights Advocacy Fund grantmaking in Nepal. The Program Officer for Nepal will be responsible for country strategies which best advance the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nepal, oversight and support to applicants and grantees, and monitoring of results and learnings. The Program Officer will also contribute to refinement of the grants process, which incorporates best practices in funding disability rights and inclusive development in the Global South.

About the Disability Rights Fund and the Disability Rights Advocacy Fund

The Disability Rights Fund (DRF) is a multimillion-dollar grantmaking collaboration between a diversity of donors and the global disability rights community that resources organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) to advocate for equal rights and full participation in society. The Disability Rights Advocacy Fund (DRAF) is DRF’s sister organization, supporting advocacy for legislative change. DRF/DRAF currently work across Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Caribbean. The Funds – which are based on a participatory grantmaking model – annually make 200-300 grants, mainly ranging from USD $10,000-$50,000 each for OPDs to advance the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), including in implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Global Disability Summit commitments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

· Revise, adapt, and monitor Nepal Country Strategy tracking socio-political barriers and opportunities, progression of disability rights and inclusive development, and growth of the disability movement

· Serve as a liaison to DRF/DRAF grantees and prospective grantees in Nepal, including grassroots and marginalized sectors of the disability movement

· Conduct financial and critical analysis of proposals and applicant organizations, including fit of proposals to DRF/DRAF objectives and strategies

· Prepare concise written analyses of proposals and develop grant recommendations for DRF/DRAF Grantmaking Committees comprised of advisors and donors

· Work closely with DRF/DRAF grants management staff on grants administration

· Work closely with DRF/DRAF program staff to identify organizational and strategic support needed by grantees and develop technical assistance plans for Nepal

· Provide grantees with organizational and strategic support and recommend helpful resources and/or experts as appropriate

· Plan and implement grantee convenings and site visits in Nepal

· Review and analyze grantee reports and communications and report on grantee achievements as part of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

· Support DRF/DRAF Communications by reporting on and documenting grantee achievements and disability rights advancements in Nepal

· Develop professional relationships within the field of disability rights and other relevant fields to keep abreast of trends and inform DRF/DRAF grantmaking

· Build relations with development partners and key government stakeholders

· Collaborate with Regional Head of Programs – Asia, Program Director, and other staff to develop and refine organizational and grantmaking strategies, including for monitoring and evaluation, Gender Guidelines Implementation, and safeguarding

· Assist with other tasks, as needed

Education and/or Experience

· Bachelors degree or equivalent in human rights or development (or other relevant fields) with minimum 5 years of related experience; advanced degree desired

· Experience supporting capacity development of OPDs or other civil society organizations in Nepal, especially in utilizing international (and regional) instruments for rights advocacy**

· Experience addressing achievement of rights and inclusive development, with preference for experience using the CRPD and the SDGs

· Grantmaking experience preferred **

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

· A critical understanding of and a deep commitment to social justice issues facing persons with disabilities

· Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and work well under pressure

· Supportive team player, results oriented problem solver

· Demonstrated ability to work well in a multi-cultural environment with diverse populations from around the world

· Willingness to travel to rural / remote areas, and to foreign countries

· Ability to combine the roles of objective evaluator and empathetic observer

· Strong administrative and organizational skills; the ability to manage time efficiently

· Computer proficiency (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint); willingness to learn additional applications (and accessible technology) as necessary

· Fluency in written and spoken English, as well as Nepali

· Preference for Nepalese national

Compensation

This is a full-time position; the salary will be commensurate with experience.