Market and Finance

Mercy Corps is an international, non-governmental humanitarian relief and development agency that exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping to build secure, productive and just communities. Mercy Corps began operations in Nepal in 2005, and since then has implemented projects in the sectors of agriculture, economic development and opportunities, financial services, youth engagement, natural resource management and disaster risk reduction/ climate change adaptation, with gender as a cross-cutting issue.

Mercy Corps Nepal invites applications from all interested and potential Nepali candidates for the following position:

Project Officer: Market and Finance -  1 (Kathmandu based with frequent travel to field)

Please refer to nepal.mercycorps.org for the full position description.

“Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision, and we encourage people from all backgrounds, especially women and members of disadvantaged groups to apply. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer”.

Interested candidates are requested to submit cover letter and Mercy Corps Application Form available at http://nepal.mercycorps.org by May 13, 2016 to the address below: 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further selection process. Telephone enquiries will not be entertained.

Attn: Human Resources Department

[Please mention the title of the Position on the subject line of the e-mail while applying]

Email to: np-jobs@mercycorps.org

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title: Project Officer –Markets and Finance

Project: Enhancing Sustainable Profitability of Carpet and Pashmina Industries in the Kathmandu Valley -SWITCH

Donor: European Commission (EC)

Position Status: Full-time, Regular

Duty Station: Kathmandu

Employee

PROJECT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps is an international, non-governmental humanitarian relief and development agency that exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping to build secure, productive and just communities. Mercy Corps works amid disasters, conflicts, chronic poverty and instability to support people, communities and organizations that can bring about positive change. Since 1979, Mercy Corps has helped people turn the crises they confront into the opportunities they deserve. Mercy Corps began operations in Nepal in 2005, and since then has implemented projects in the sectors of economic and food security; climate, natural resource and disaster risk management; and youth engagement.The inclusion of women and disadvantaged groups are important as cross-cutting themes throughout each intervention area.

Enhancing Sustainable Profitability of Carpet and Pashmina Industries in the Kathmandu Valley (EC-SWITCH) is 3.5-yearprojectthat seeks to enhance sustainable production and SME profitability in two of Nepal’s highest earning yet most polluting industries – the carpet and pashmina industry. The project will contribute toincreasing resource efficiency, profitability, and sustainable growth in Nepal by mobilizing the private sector and relevant public sector authorities to reduce fuel and water use, and water and air-borne pollution in the Nepalese carpet and pashmina industries. Carpet and Pashmina production are Nepal’s second and third largest source of export earnings, and provide the largest source of industrial employment, but they are constrained by outdated production methods that are inefficient and highly polluting, leading to reduced competitiveness and environmental impacts.

SWITCH seeks to improve the efficiency of and reduce pollution from small and medium-sized dyeing and washing enterprises in the urban and peri-urban areas of the Kathmandu Valley. By supporting the adoption of energy and water efficient technologies and processes, with appropriate linkages to relevant financial service providers and their products, it seeks to increase productivity and decrease costs for the most resource intensive section of the production chain, promoting growth and increasing competitiveness of the carpet and pashmina industries in the export market. 

At the same time, the project seeks to decrease reliance on and degradation of natural resources by decreasing firewood and water usage, and reducing chemical pollutants. This will help reduce pressure from the unsustainable use of natural resources, reduce air and water pollution for Kathmandu’s residents, improve working conditions for employees of washing and dyeing SMEs, and reduce GHG emissions.  

To facilitate a market-based shift that will outlast the duration of the project and replicate throughout the carpet and pashmina sectors, as well as other textile industries, the projectseeks to build the capacities of its local partner and associates, including NGOs that provide technical services; trade associations and government Ministries eager to promote environmentally sustainable production and increase competitiveness and financial institutions for access to appropriate financial services.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Project Officer will be responsible for providing assistance to the project team and project partner to strengthen the capacity of private sectors in market-driven economic development framework and increase access to relevant financial services, providers and products for Small Micro Enterprises (SMEs). This will include facilitation of meetings, orientations, design and delivery of trainings and regular communication with reporting. The Project Officer must be a dynamic and effective person who understands and appreciates market-driven economic development with natural resource management.

SPECIFIC JOB FUNCTIONS:

Capacity building

• Provide technical inputs to partner on enhancing the capacity of partners, private sectors and government in Market Driven Economic Development Framework of Mercy Corps;
• Work with the project team to design and carry out  capacity building activities,which include needs assessment, orientation, trainings and other events;
• Support partner for the engagement of private sectors stakeholders in project implementation process.
• Take lead in building the financial capabilities of target beneficiaries and motivating them to utilise Eco friendly financial product through partner bank.
• Facilitate Partner bank in orientation and training sessions to the beneficiaries.

Technical Assistance through Finance perspective.

• Proficiency in use of computer and ability to prepare demonstrate data through diagrams charts maps and further help the team and partners in preparing detailed work plans;
• Support the Technical coordinator and the team in designing and implementation of capacity building activities in technical aspects. Involve in technical data tabulation and analysis jointly with M &E officer and Clean Energy Officer.
• Taking lead in carrying out financial management training tor SMEs.
• Calculate cost benefit analysis of new technology in collaboration of technical coordinator andimplementingpartner.
• Documentation of progress related to financial component of the project.

Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Participate in preparation of work plans, surveys and assessments; 
• Support in conducting different surveys and assessments, ensuring accurate and quality outputs;
• Monitor field activities regularly and provide comments/suggestions to project team and partner for enhancing the efficiency of the activities in the field;
• Review partner reports and provide feedback/suggestions both to partner and project team;
• Assist PM in gathering data for high quality donor reporting and effective project management. 
• Monitoring of loans utilised by SMEs through the Partner Bank.
• Prepare business case/s on SMEs utilising financial product from the partner Bank.

Other Support 

• Ensure that MC operational policies and procedures are followed in field implementation;
• Manage good relationships with project stakeholders, including partner, GoN officials, private sector actors and associations, and other stakeholders;
• Ensure that innovative approaches, good practices, particular challenges, or good results are documented to support agency learning;
• Ensure coordination at all levels.

SUPERVISES: N/A

WORKS CLOSELY WITH:Project team, Local implementing partner(s); private sector partner(s); and Mercy Corps Director of Programs, DM&E, Finance/Compliance, and Operations team members

REPORTS TO: Project Manager

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Country Director in Nepal; Mercy Corps policies and procedures; EC grant agreement and policies; Position Description.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: 

• BA/S or equivalent in Management, Business, Marketing or other relevant field. – Masters preferred 
• Understanding and experience in market/business development approaches and at least 2 years in experience working with private sector in export market is highly desirable. 
• Demonstrated experience working with government officials and private sector players.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English required, including report development and writing.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members. 

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful Project Officer will combine communication skills and technical skills with a focus on innovative interventions to coordinate and facilitate a private sector-led market development approach. S/he will also have proven experience in facilitating market development programming and strong reporting skills. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.