CEO/Coordinator (1)/Program Officer (1)/Program Assistant (1)/Finance Assistant (1)

ORGANIZATION: NEPAL BUSINESS FORUM - PUBLIC PRIVATE DIALOGUE

Nepal Business Forum (NBF), funded by DANIDA under UNNATI program, is formed to stimulate dialogue and group effort between the public and private sectors on issues related to the effective implementation and monitoring of laws and policies related to investment and business operations, to identify constraints, limitations and barriers existing in business operations and growth of investment, to make recommendations to the government for the development and growth of investment and business and to assist in implementation and monitoring of such recommendations as well as to provide institutional framework for regular, results-oriented, and transparent dialogue between the public and private sectors. The implementing agency of NBF is the Ministry of Industry, Government of Nepal.

1. Position: CEO / Coordinator (1)

Contract start: Immediate

Contract duration: Till 15th July 2017   

Scope of Work:

The NBF CEO/Coordinator will manage the NBF Secretariat under the supervision of the Permanent Management Committee.  S/he will play the leading role in coordinating, facilitating, and administering the public-private dialogue (PPD) process in close coordination with GoN and the private sector, ensuring that the dialogues/activities/working group meetings are evidence based and results focused. 

This position also requires the ability to work closely with development partners and the private sector to ensure that the PPD mechanism discussions and working groups, encourage investment climate reform for economic growth. Additionally, the coordinator will play the role of an “honest broker” for ensuring efficient and cordial PPD process during the working group proceedings on issue resolution. 

Specific Responsibilities:

The position requires a person who is capable of leading, coordinating and facilitating public-private dialogue process in Nepal. S/he will be a professional manager, hands-on and pro-active, capable of carrying out key NBF Secretariat activities focusing on ensuring the continuation of an efficient dialogue process. 

A. Operational Function:

• Prepare proposals for inviting donors, design and implement funding mechanism
• Communicate and reach out to representatives of the business community and the GoN to facilitate the identification of priority issues and constraints
• Organize and facilitate meetings of the NBF Working Groups, as well as task-specific committees or task-forces
• Supervise and support NBF Secretariat staff to ensure the development and circulation of meeting agendas in a timely fashion. The coordinator is also responsible to ensure that meeting briefs are circulated to participants after the meetings for validation and follow up on Next Steps. 
• Plan and supervise adequate and timely advocacy and communication with stakeholders  
• Liaise with relevant government agencies and private sector to solicit comments, obtain pertinent data, including draft laws and regulations, etc. as a resource to the Working Groups
• Ensure adequate minutes and summaries of Working Group meetings and updates on  the websites (selective information to be publicized)
• Anchor Working Groups meetings to mobilize and support the development of technical papers and advocacy notes on specific issues which are likely to be implemented resulting in private sector savings
• Coordinate and facilitate high level meetings of Steering Committee, Private Sector Development Committee(PSDC) and High Level Business Forum (HLBF) as required if issues need to be escalated for resolution

B. Administrative Function:

• Formulate detailed annual program work plan and activities with budgetary estimates based on private sector needs aligned with GoN priorities for presenting to PMC for approval 
• Seek PMC’s approval for the annual work plans and requisite funding towards effective implementation
• Ensure effective execution of approved work plans and activities with adequate monitoring 
• Prepare quarterly and annual progress reports for PMC’s review and deliberations 
• Prepare other relevant reports as required for internal or external dissemination
• Proactively provide inputs as required to all levels of the NBF structure including the HLBF, PSDC, Steering Committee and Working Groups for further enhancing operations and effectiveness of NBF. 
• Proactively initiate and coordinate research and communication activities. 
• Act as a focal point for development partners for seeking support for NBF’s continued sustainability
• Identify and engage consultants as required. 

Selection Criteria:

• Master’s Degree in Economics, Law or  Business 
• Strong understating of the investment climate, and the key determinants of the business environment in Nepal
• At least 5 years of relevant business, legal or advisory experience, in a relevant field, where collaboration between private sector and government entities was necessary.  
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, with proven track record in  managing diverse teams and professional staff
• Strong communications and advocacy skills with demonstrated ability to interface effectively with public and private sector leaders 

2. Position: Program Officer (1)

Contract start: Immediate

Contract duration: Till 15th July 2017  

Scope of Work:

The Program Officer shall work under the coordinator and the scope of work shall include the following, but shall not necessarily be limited to the following:

• Support the Coordinator in fundraising, monitor the work plan and budget  
• Support private sector to develop issues which needs to be implemented in the policy level to contribute to the development, implementation, and monitoring of policies, programs, and practices around the issues; 
• Ensure communication between the NBF Secretariat, working groups, liaison ministries, private sectors;
• Program-Related Functions in close collaboration with concerned ministries and private sectors;
• Develop, plan, and organize program-related workshops, trainings and events; 
• Contribute to writing and editing project materials and position papers; 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

General Management functions under Coordinator:

• In conjunction with other staff/consultants, develop grant making strategies, priorities, and guidelines; 
• Write/draft grant proposals, Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) between NBF and private sectors;
• Engage in communication and perform site visits with/to prospective and current member organizations; 
• Monitor grants through progress reports, ongoing communication and site visits; 
• Donor communication; 

Required qualification and experience:

• University degree in Economics, Business Administration, Social Science or related field
• At least 3 years of relevant experience with Master’s degree working with private sectors and involvement in planning, networking and coordination or 6 years’ experience with Bachelor’s Degree in related field;
• Prior knowledge of or willingness and ability to learn quickly about advancing social justice through community organizing, legal advocacy, research, or policy reform work. 

Skills Required: 

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with strict deadlines and to follow projects through to completion; 
• Ability to trouble shoot and to constructively address concerns or problems as they arise in a positive manner; 
• Very good written, verbal skill in English 
• Good computer skills, proficient in Microsoft Office, and experience with internet research; 
•  Good listening and communication skills with sensitivity to cultural communication differences and ability to encourage and support others; 
•  Effectively work as a team member and independently, with a high-level of self-motivation and ability to set and meet goals; 
•  Show discretion and ability to handle confidential issues; 
• Willingness to travel; 
• Pleasant, diplomatic manner and disposition in interacting with colleagues and the general public; 

3. Position: Program Assistant (1)

Contract start: Immediate

Contract duration: Till 15th July 2017 

The Program Assistant will report to the NBF Coordinator and will be responsible for assisting the Coordinator in all aspects with execution of NBF’s programs and activities. 

Specific Scope of Work:

• Assist Coordinator, Director of Research and Director of Communication in development and execution of work plans and activities 
• Coordinate agenda and meeting schedules
• Provide administrative support to coordinate and organize working group meetings as required
• Follow-up on issues discussed in the Working  Groups and next steps
• Maintain files and documents related with Working Group meetings
• Maintain a contacts database of GoN and private sector organizations
• Maintain program and work plan calendar
• Guide and support Secretariat staff to implement NBF activities
• Draft letters for government  and private sector officials as assigned
• Assist in logistics, procurement for workshops, seminars and events
• Assist in processing invoices and payments
• Perform office maintenance related tasks
• Coordinate with private sector, donor partners and staff as needed 
• Maintain strong work relationships with private and GoN stakeholders
• Supervise outsourced staff 

Required qualification and experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in law, business or economics
• At least 3 years of relevant legal, business, or advisory experience, in a relevant field, where collaboration between private sector and government entities was necessary.  
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, with proven track record 
• Strong communication skills with demonstrated ability to interface effectively with public and private sector leaders  

4. Position: Finance Assistant (1)

Contract start: Immediate

Contract duration: Till 15th July 2017  

Finance Assistant is a management position and reports to the Executive Director/Coordinator of the Nepal Business Forum (NBF). S/He is responsible for maintaining the budget, recording and reflecting fully, accurately, clearly in a timely manner the fund that are allocated and the disbursements made to support project implementation, in accordance with the approved documents and the liquidation of expenditures on an annual and quarterly basis as well as upon project termination. The NBF Finance Assistant will ensure the use of standard financial and accounting procedures in line with the NBF Account Operation Guideline.

Specific Responsibilities:

Planning and budgeting:

• Participate in preparation of annual and quarterly work plans, prepare quarterly advance requests for funding in the applicable format;
• Participate in quarterly work planning and progress reporting meetings with the coordinator;
• Regular budget monitoring and revision;

Accounting/Reporting:

• Operate accounting system, including financial reporting forms and filing system for the project, in accordance with the project activities and document;
• Enter financial transactions into the computerized accounting system;
• Reconcile the accounts and keep a file of all completed reconciliation;
• Prepare financial reports and submit for approval on a regular basis;
• Be responsible for all related finance and accounting works and work with the auditor to prepare audited project financial statements.

Control: 

• Check and ensure all expenditures of project are in accordance with the stated rules and regulations or agreement made (Includes obtaining receipts for payments);
• Check budget lines to ensure that all transactions are correctly booked;
• Ensure documentation relating to payments are duly approved;
• Ensure petty cash and other records are reviewed properly and kept up-to-date. 

Bank reconciliation:

• Bank accounts should be reconciled and reported properly;
• Prepare monthly bank reconciliation statements, including computation of interests gained to be included into reports. 

Inventory Register:

• Maintain a proper inventory of project assets register, including numbering, recording and reporting;
• Maintain the inventory file to support purchases of all equipment/assets.

Essential experience:

• Five years of experience in finance and accounting works is preferable.

Desirable qualifications: 

• Bachelor Degree in Business Administration/ Business Studies/ Finance/ CA/ ACCA
• Knowledge of international organizations/agencies and national financial regulations and procedures
• Good communication skills
• Good computer skills in common Word, Excel, Powerpoint and accounting software 

APPLICATION METHOD:

Interested and competent applicants are requested to fill up an online application form available on www.people2people.com.np and submit (1) an application letter and (2) a recent Curriculum Vitae no later than 25th January 2017 / Wednesday.

Detailed TOR for the positions can be obtained from www.people2people.com.np

For queries please contact People2People Pvt. Ltd. at 01 – 5539746 / 5539788. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further process.