Social Initiative Consultant

Pact, a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC, is implementing a USAID-funded project, SajhedariBikaas (SB). SB is a five-year project that works with local bodies in six districts in Mid and Far West Nepal—Banke, Bardiya, Dang, Kailali, Kanchanpur, and Surkhet—and is dedicated to creating an enabling environment for disadvantaged communities to direct their own local development. The project seeks two consultants to support the design, documentation, and implementation of social initiative projects in target VDCs. The projects, supported by SB through micro-grants, will aim to mobilize communities around initiatives that foster community involvement and effective oversight. The consultancies will be for a 10-week period. The consultant/s will report to Senior Regional Program Manager.

Objective:

The objective of this assignment is to prepare and finalize the required documents for micro-grants in close collaboration with SB staff and partner NGOs. Each consultant will finalize at least 29 grants. The micro-grants will support social initiatives that have been prioritized by local bodies through the local planning process or approved by IPFCs in SB’s working areas. Tasks include the assessment of proposed grants, refinement of project descriptions, and development of justification memos among others. The consultants will submit the complete set of documents to SB’s Grants & Contracts section for approval. The consultant/s will be required to carry out his /her tasks in close coordination and consultation with SB’s assigned POCs and IPs to ensure timely responses to all queries by the concerned stakeholders.

Deliverables:

• Conduct technical appraisals of social initiative proposals
• Produce final documents based on the proposals and SB’s micro-grants guidelines in collaboration with the concerned Implementing Partners (IPs) and SB Points of Contacts
• Coordinate the efforts of concerned IPs and POCs to finalize the process for the timely implementation approved activities 
• Provide technical backstopping to implement and monitor activities 
• Meet minimum program quality standard (MPQS) as specified by SB
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of progress reports as well as other required documents 
• Prepare monthly progress reports and activity completion reports as and when required 

Qualifications: 

• A university degree in development studies, gender studies, rural development or other related field with at least 3 years of experience in project cycle planning and management or inclusive local development planning, community development, or related development initiatives 
• Experience with income generation activities, livelihood improvement plans, vocational skill development, value chain management, etc.
• Proven track record of proposal development, report writing, documentation, and data analysis
• Good presentation skills 
• Knowledge of GESI issues
• Strong working knowledge in both English and Nepali with good computer skills 

To apply, please submit a cover letter and CV to PactNepalRecruit@pactworld.org.  Only shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview. Phone calls will not be entertained. Women and persons from marginalized and disadvantaged groups are encouraged to apply.