Governance Coordinator

Terms of Reference (TOR)

Governance Coordinator

Full-time, Kathmandu Based

Organization Description

The Why: NEPAL aspires to graduate from least developing country to a lower middle-income country by 2026. However, the development community’s excessive focus today on socio-political empowerment has not yielded the desired economic transformation. In reaching the 2026 national target, shall we wait for institutions of power to become accountably productive or shall we bolster innovations of people to bring inclusive prosperity? How do we strengthen grassroots-government collaboration in shaping an equal and enterprising future?

The How: DAAYITWA, with a focus on economic empowerment, envisions an enterprising Nepal where every youth has opportunities for a prosperous future. Daayitwa is a part of the Daayitwa Abhiyaan which consists of four organizations: Daayitwa, Governance Lab, Nepal Leadership Academy based in Nepal and Nepal Rising (Daayitwa-US) based in the U.S. Inspired by shared values of innovation, collaboration, and service, it promotes the socio- economic development of Nepal. The movement fosters inclusive and equitable economic growth by accelerating grassroots innovations, strengthening government institutions, and revitalizing a virtuous cycle of democracy and development through grassroots-government collaboration.

Our Focus Areas:

1. Promote enterprise-led employment creation
2. Design evidence-based policies for improved decision-making
3. Build state capability for effective policy implementation
4. Foster stakeholder collaboration for governance innovations

Daayitwa runs several programs and initiatives aimed at our focus area. These key programs include: 

Growth Entrepreneurship and Employment Program (GEEP): GEEP accelerates rural enterprises for boosting employment and income growth in rural Nepal. GEEP is executed through a partnership among Daayitwa, Gandaki and Koshi provincial governments, 10 local governments and the Nepali diaspora.

GEEP’s objectives are to accelerate growth-oriented rural enterprises, build state capability for effective policy implementation and foster stakeholder collaboration for governance innovation. GEEP builds on Daayitwa’s decade-long experience in governance innovation and accelerating growth-oriented enterprises in rural Nepal to create jobs and amplify income through the Rural Enterprise Acceleration Program (REAP).

Daayitwa Nepal Public Service Policy Fellowship Program: Daayitwa supports bureaucrats and parliamentarians in making policy decisions by conducting policy research, building capability of government and strengthening research ecosystem. Through the Daayitwa Nepal Public Policy Fellowship (DNPPF) Program and Daayitwa Nepal Public Administration Fellowship (DNPAF), Daayitwa identifies service-minded talented Nepali youth, capacitates them to conduct policy research, connects their policy recommendations with government actions and builds an evidence-based policy ecosystem. Since 2013, DNPSF has supported 189 talented Nepali youth trained in 32 countries to conduct research projects for 28 parliamentarians and 74 government organizations in all 7 provinces (42 municipalities).

Policy and Governance Research: Daayitwa has conducted research on several topics including youth employment, enterprise ecosystem, as well as women’s political and economic empowerment. Leadership for Economic Governance Program: Daayitwa enables local governments to promote local economic development by enhancing their policy leadership capability and fostering trustful collaboration with other municipal ecosystem stakeholders. Through the Leadership for Economic Governance (LEG) program, a joint initiative of Daayitwa, Governance Lab and Nepal Leadership Academy, we run an executive policy leadership course for local governments, supports them to identify major economic challenges, and facilitates them to implement innovative policy pilots using the Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) and Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) approaches. So far, LEG has supported 3 municipal governments of Lumbini province to promote youth employment and women’s economic empowerment.

National Governance Symposium: The National Governance Symposium (NGS) is an annual event organized by Governance Lab at Daayitwa Abhiyaan, with Daayitwa as the organizing partner. This program strives to be an intellectually rich and politically unbiased learning platform for celebrating, studying and contextualizing models of innovation and collaboration in public service delivery that can enable governance stakeholders to think freshly and act productively. NGS has been conducted since 2022 in partnership with the Office of Prime Ministers & Council of Ministers, Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Ministry of Finance, and National Planning Commission.

Policy and Governance Dialogues: Daayitwa has been organizing policy and governance dialogues to enhance the governance ecosystem of the country. These dialogues aim to foster greater shared clarity, commitment, and capacity among key stakeholders such as the Federal Parliament of Nepal, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector. Through such dialogues, Daayitwa aims to bring together stakeholders on crucial policy matters related to Nepal's economic development. Daayitwa also brings together local leaders, national and international experts, and development practitioners from various fields to gather unique insights and perspectives.

Job Description

The What: The Governance Coordinator, will coordinate various activities under the Governance cluster and research activities of Daayitwa Abhiyan. The responsibilities include the following:

• Lead and oversee the implementation of Daayitwa Abhiyaan's fellowship programs, including the Daayitwa Nepal Public Policy Fellowship, Daayitwa Nepal Public Administration Fellowship, Provincial Fellowship, and Enterprise Fellowship, whether implemented as standalone initiatives or integrated within broader projects.
• Develop and implement the strategic vision, annual work plans, and priorities for the Governance Cluster, ensuring alignment with Daayitwa Abhiyaan's mission and organizational goals.
• Provide overall program leadership by overseeing the planning, implementation, budget management, quality assurance, and timely delivery of Governance Cluster programs and activities at the local, provincial, and federal levels.
• Lead the design and coordination of governance and civic engagement initiatives, including executive leadership courses, Rapid Results Initiatives (RRI), policy dialogues, symposiums, networking events, alumni engagement activities, webinars, talk series, and other knowledge-sharing platforms.
• Manage and supervise Governance Cluster team members, consultants, fellows, interns, and volunteers, providing guidance, mentorship, performance oversight, and ensuring effective collaboration across teams.
• Lead monitoring, evaluation, learning (MEL), and knowledge management processes by ensuring timely preparation of technical reports, donor reports, case studies, success stories, lessons learned, and other program documentation.
• Serve as the primary focal person for donor engagement, ensuring effective communication with funding partners, compliance with donor requirements, coordination of donor visits, and submission of high-quality narrative reports.
• Identify funding opportunities and lead or contribute to proposal development, concept notes, fundraising initiatives, and resource mobilization efforts in collaboration with senior management.
• Build, maintain, and strengthen strategic partnerships with government agencies, development partners, private sector organizations, civil society organizations, universities, and other national and international stakeholders.
• Represent Daayitwa Abhiyaan in meetings, policy forums, networks, and stakeholder engagements, and foster collaboration to advance governance reforms and civic engagement initiatives.
• Lead communication and visibility efforts for Governance Cluster programs by supporting the development of publications, policy briefs, op-eds, success stories, videos, newsletters, podcasts, press releases, and digital content in collaboration with the Communications team.
• Support and contribute to research and knowledge products, including policy analysis, research studies, concept notes, reports, and publications that strengthen evidence-based policymaking and organizational learning.
• Provide strategic and technical support to cross-organizational initiatives, including activities of other Daayitwa Abhiyaan programs, as required.
• Coordinate with internal teams across Daayitwa Abhiyaan to ensure effective integration of governance components across entrepreneurship, leadership, research, and institutional development programs.
• Lead organizational learning, knowledge management, communications, and visibility efforts by documenting best practices, preparing publications and knowledge products, and supporting advocacy initiatives in collaboration with the Communications team.
• Undertake any other responsibilities assigned by the organization that contribute to the achievement of Daayitwa Abhiyaan's mission.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• At least Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in Public Administration, Governance, Political Science, Development Studies, Development Economics, Public Policy, Management, Social Science, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in project/program coordination or management, preferably in governance, public policy, or fellowship management.
• Experience in working with governance innovation tools.
• Experience in research, guiding research fellows or managing internships/ youth networks.
• Experience working with government agencies, especially subnational governments.
• Proven ability in managing administrative and logistical tasks, including financial reporting and vendor management.
• Familiarity with organizing public policy events, workshops, dialogues, or symposiums.
• Knowledge of public sector governance reform or public policy research is an advantage.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to liaise with government officials and stakeholders.
• Flexible, adaptable, and passionate about youth engagement, public service, and inclusive governance.
• Proficient in written and spoken English and Nepali language.

Additional information

Compensation: Daayitwa will provide compensation on a monthly rate basis. The rate will be mutually agreed upon, commensurate with the level of the required deliverables, the qualifications and experience of the candidate.

If you're keen on this position, kindly complete the form below by 16th August 2026. To access the page, please click on the provided link and right-click to go to the link.

https://forms.gle/dDQN2zA8fqJ62YYD6

In the subject line, put “Job Title followed by your first and last name (e.g., “Governance Coordinator – Sabina Nepali”) and attach the following documents. All documents must be compiled in a single file, in the same order and saved in PDF format:

• Cover letter (one page max)
• CV
• Academic transcripts/certificate for most recent qualification

Deadline: 16th August 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The vacancy may be closed prior to the deadline if a suitable candidate is found. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Daayitwa is committed to promoting workforce diversity and actively encourages applications from individuals belonging to marginalized and discriminated groups, including women, Dalit, Janajati, Madhesi/Terai, and other minority communities. The organization values inclusive representation and strives to create a diverse and equitable working environment.