Cluster Field Officer / Field Assistant

Vacancy Announcement

Association for Social Transformation and Humanitarian Assistance ASTHA-Nepal, in joint with Practical Action, has been implementing the “Transforming the Cookstoves Market in Nepal” project funding by Livelihoods Venture since September 2022 in 2 Municipality and 24 Rural Municipalities of Achham, Doti, Dadeldhura and Baitadi Districts. The project aimed to reduce carbon emissions by promoting modern cookstoves.  To implement the project at the field level ASTHA Nepal is announcing a job opening for full-time staff for the following role.

1. Cluster Field Officer

Required number: 1

Location: Based in the field office Silgadhi, Doti (Oversee to 14 Palikas of Doti and Achham)

Duration: Upto September 2027

Report to: Project Coordinator

Essential skills, experience, and knowledge:

• Bachelor's degree with an in-depth understanding of marketing, rural areas, poverty, and vulnerability issues in the Hilly Region of Nepal.
• At least three years of professional experience in the fields of renewable energy, livelihood enhancement, climate change mitigation, and micro-enterprise development aimed at reducing poverty and vulnerability.
• Proficient and adept in planning, monitoring, and reporting project activities within the relevant field, fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaborations.
• Demonstrates outstanding interpersonal, networking, communication, negotiation, and facilitation skills.
• Possesses exceptional reading and writing abilities in both English and Nepali, including the capacity to compose, analyze, and report information effectively.
• Has experience in coordination and collaboration with local governments.
• Exhibits willingness and enthusiasm to operate in challenging and demanding environments, particularly with vulnerable communities.
• Demonstrates substantial experience in employing participatory approaches for community mobilization and stakeholder engagement.
• Displays high levels of skill in prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines effectively. 
• Proactive and capable of managing assignments with minimal supervision. 
• Bring experience in social mobilization, delivering training, managing time and teams, and writing reports. 
• Showcases strong presentation and motivational skills along with excellent computer proficiency. 
• Holds a valid two-wheeler driving license as a prerequisite.

Main Responsibilities

• Mobilize, oversee, and supervise the project initiatives undertaken by Field Assistants at the cluster level.
• Assist in conducting needs assessments, prioritizing tasks, planning, executing, and monitoring activities in tandem with Field Assistants.
• Collaborate with local governmental bodies and community-based organizations (CBOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and women's networks/groups, to enhance the execution of the cookstove project within the designated cluster.
• Coordinate with local distributors, cookstove manufacturers, project beneficiaries, microfinance institutions (MFIs), private sector service providers, and other stakeholders at the project level to ensure the efficient delivery of project activities.
• Address field-level challenges within the relevant cluster and assist the project coordinator in monitoring progress and reporting.
• Compile, monitor, assess, and update the project risk register and corresponding mitigation measures every month.
• Design and execute project initiatives in line with the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) of the project.
• Provide support for the thorough monitoring as outlined in the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP). 
• Support the Project Coordinator in evaluating program components through reflective learning, documenting successful practices, and utilizing lessons learned to refine the implementation strategy. 
• Regularly communicate project-related information to the Project Coordinator and external stakeholders as necessary.
• Assist in fostering effective coordination and partnerships with government entities, private sector actors, communities, and individuals to raise awareness about climate change, and health, and improve the socio-economic status of the people.
• Assist in planning demonstration events at strategic locations within all municipalities of the cluster and devise strategies for raising awareness about the benefits of using cookstoves. 
• Offer insights to gather data, evidence, and insights for effective reporting.
• Implement project activities utilizing a digitalization approach through developed Management Information Systems (MIS) and mobile applications.
• Ensure the timely submission of sales and incentive claims from local distributors.
• Coordinate and assist distributors in generating the necessary demand for stoves according to the predetermined plan.
• Perform monitoring and supervision of project activities.
• Fulfill any additional duties delegated by the Project Coordinator.

Organizational Policies, Safeguarding, and Code of Conduct

• Ensure that all involved acting on the organization’s behalf are aware of the Safeguarding Policy, Diversity, and Dignity in the Workplace Policy, Code of Conduct, Fraud Policy, and Whistleblowing policy.
• Ensure beneficiaries whom we work with are aware of the safeguarding policy including the reporting lines when appropriate.
• Be responsible that anyone acting on our behalf has signed up to the Safeguarding and Code of Conduct policies.
• Ensure our ethics and values, as set out in our Code of Conduct and related policies, including safeguarding, are embedded in team culture, and well-modeled by others. Ensure that reporting structures are well promoted and respond to all concerns appropriately.
• Responsible for gender-responsive behaviour in all actions and decisions. Ensure non-discriminative behaviour based on gender, age, sex, race, ethnic background, culture, disability, nationality, religion, and marital status. Is sensitive and adaptable to gender and social inclusion.

2. Field Assistant

Required number: 1

Location: Based in the field (Ajaymeru and Bhageshowr RMs)

Duration: Upto September 2027

Report to: Cluster Field Officer

Essential skills, experience, and knowledge:

• Completed 10+2 education with a minimum of 2 years of experience in social mobilization. 
• Possesses strong interpersonal skills and can collaborate effectively with community members in coordination with all sector staff at both cluster and local levels.
• Previous experience in mobilizing communities at the grassroots level, implementing initiatives, and facilitating various sessions is advantageous.
• Familiarity with computer and mobile phone-based surveying is a plus.
• Holding a two-wheeler driving license would be advantageous.

Main Responsibilities

• Assist in executing the operational plan for the cookstove project.
• Generate demand for cookstoves through social mobilization, coordinating with beneficiaries, Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs), and other stakeholders.
• Arrange demonstration events and facilitate marketing campaigns through sales points for clean cookstoves.
• Verify cookstove sales and usage through household visits and phone interviews with a randomly selected 30% of households, assessing sales, usage, and maintenance.
• Implement project activities utilizing a digitalization approach with the use of mobile applications.
• Support in organizing and facilitating workshops, seminars, and training sessions at the field level as per the plan.
• Support in building the capacity of cookstove users and mobilizing community members for program effectiveness.
• Encourage and support last-mile distributors and local technicians to carry out the task effectively and efficiently.
• Assist in developing necessary formats, tools, manuals, and materials for the program. 
• Conduct regular visits to program areas, establishing and strengthening connections with local stakeholders as well as with the representatives of the local governments.
• Facilitate field visits for the project and stakeholder teams.
• Conduct regular monitoring and gather data and information, preparing monthly, quarterly, and event-based progress reports.
• Compile case studies, success stories, and features.
• Share lessons learned and best practices with relevant staff members to enhance performance.
• Maintain regular coordination with the project team.
• Undertake any additional responsibilities assigned by the Cluster Field Officer.

Organizational Policies, Safeguarding, and Code of Conduct

• Ensure that all involved acting on the organization’s behalf are aware of the Safeguarding Policy, Diversity, and Dignity in the Workplace Policy, Code of Conduct, Fraud Policy, and Whistleblowing policy.
• Ensure beneficiaries whom we work with are aware of the safeguarding policy including the reporting lines when appropriate.
• Be responsible that anyone acting on our behalf has signed up to the Safeguarding and Code of Conduct policies.
• Ensure our ethics and values, as set out in our Code of Conduct and related policies, including safeguarding, are embedded in team culture, and well-modeled by others. Ensure that reporting structures are well promoted and respond to all concerns appropriately.
• Responsible for gender-responsive behaviour in all actions and decisions. Ensure non-discriminative behaviour based on gender, age, sex, race, ethnic background, culture, disability, nationality, religion, and marital status. Is sensitive and adaptable to gender and social inclusion.

HOW TO APPLY

Potential candidates are invited to apply by submitting an application letter indicating the position, along with an updated CV including contact information for two referees. Applications should be sent to astha.vacancy@gmail.com and must be received no later than April 13, 2024. ASTHA NEPAL encourages a diverse workforce and practices affirmative action in favor of candidates from Women, Dalits, Janajatis, Madhesi people with disabilities, and from project implementation areas. Individuals from these backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. ASTHA NEPAL retains the right to cancel, postpone, or modify the entire recruitment process without the obligation to provide any specific reasons.

For more information, please visit: www.asthanepal.com.np