Programme and Inclusive Governance Lead

PROJECT OVERVIEW  

The SAMA-SAMA project is a three-year project funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) that aims to strengthen civil society and enhance civic engagement and democratic participation among women and marginalized groups (WMGs) by promoting inclusive governance, human rights protection, and gender equality. Implemented in 13 local government units in Nepal’s Madhesh and Lumbini provinces, the project advances inclusive governance, human rights, and gender equality through locally driven partnerships and interventions.

POSITION OVERVIEW  

The Programme and Inclusive Governance Lead provide technical and programmatic leadership for the SAMA‑SAMA project in Nepal. The role is responsible for driving the project’s effectiveness and results, while leading the technical implementation of the inclusive governance strategy in Nepal. Key responsibilities include overseeing overall project performance; ensuring high‑quality delivery and outcome achievement; supervising project teams and partners; fostering effective partnerships with stakeholders; and ensuring the strategic and operational effectiveness of inclusive governance (IG) interventions, as well as full compliance with project and regulatory standards in Nepal.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

A. PROJECT MANAGEMENT, QUALITY ASSURANCE, COMPLIANCE, AND EFFECTIVENESS FOR STRENGTHENING THE SAMA-SAMA PROJECT

• Provide overall project management leadership for the SAMA‑SAMA project, ensuring effective implementation of the Project Implementation Plan (PIP), including work plans, budgets, timelines, and reporting. 
• Lead implementation of the Project Implementation Plan (PIP), including work plans, budgets, and reporting schedules.
• Oversee project performance to ensure timely delivery of high‑quality outputs and achievement of intended outcomes, in line with donor, CECI, and national compliance requirements.
• Support project teams and partners (thematic, provincial implementing and technology) in performance monitoring, integrating inclusive governance and gender-transformative approaches in the delivery of the project.
• Supervise the development and implementation of MEAL tools and quality assurance measures for technical excellence and compliance.
• Collaborate with Country Representative, Asia Regional Team Leader, Head Office Project Officer, technical specialists, and in-country partners to enhance program delivery and build local capacity for impactful outcomes.
• Develop ToRs and contracts for staff, consultants, partners and service providers to implement SAMA-SAMA activities
• Support the development of communication materials to enhance visibility of the SAMA-SAMA Project priorities and ensure consistent branding.
• Ensure the delivery of quality outputs in a timely manner

B. FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL OVERSIGHT FOR THE SAMA-SAMA PROJECT

• Ensure effective planning, human resource management, and compliance with CECI’s financial and human resource policies to enhance project effectiveness in Nepal.
• Foster a cost-conscious culture and oversee project financial management by monitoring expenditures and controlling operating costs.
• Identify and manage project risks related to fund disbursement and project delivery and facilitate capacity building to adopt updated systems across various project management functions.

C. TEAM COORDINATION

• Ensure active participation of project team members in audits, training, capacity building, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor team performance through KPIs, periodic reviews, and regular check-ins.
• Ensure team members' recruitment, training, and development, fostering a positive and cohesive team environment in Nepal.
• Provide mentorship, capacity-building, and performance guidance to enhance team and project partner capabilities.
• Promote governance and accountability by communicating expectations clearly and providing feedback to ensure effective team performance.

D. PROGRAM STRATEGY AND INNOVATION 

• Develop an inclusive governance strategy for the SAMA-SAMA Project in Nepal to enhance WMGs' participation in governance processes and ensure alignment with project objectives.
• Support Country Representative and project teams in implementing inclusive governance strategic priorities specific to Nepal and relevant to the project. 
• Build and maintain strong relationships and partnerships with Nepal's CSOs, development partners, government authorities, and private sector actors, while strengthening CECI's inclusive governance strategic positioning through new initiatives and resource mobilization 
• Contribute to developing inclusive governance-relevant innovative concepts and proposals aligned with country strategies.
• Represent CECI in thematic coordination meetings, advocacy efforts, and policy dialogues relevant to inclusive governance, federalism, democratic outreach, civic engagement, etc.

E. TECHNICAL PROGRAM SUPPORT

• Design and lead the implementation of the inclusive governance strategy, providing technical expertise on gender‑transformative approaches, transparency, accountability, civic engagement, and G2C mechanisms.
• Ensure integration of inclusive governance across project activities, partners, learning processes, and adaptive management.
• Provide technical and strategic support to the project team and partners to integrate relevant government policies and guidelines on transparency and accountability, legal and regulatory mechanisms, policy frameworks, public advocacy, and oversight into the project. 
• Deliver technical input on the overall project design, plans, delivery, and effectiveness, collaborating closely with project team members in Nepal, the Philippines, and Canada, as well as national and international experts to address governance issues for the project and organization.
• Ensure integration of inclusive governance across project activities, partners, learning processes, and adaptive management.
• Promote innovation and collaboration, contributing to proposal development, resource mobilization, and cross‑country learning across Nepal, the Philippines, and Canada.
• Support project teams in monitoring project and partner performance, integrating inclusive governance, government-to-citizens (G2C), and gender-transformative approaches.

F. MONITORING, EVALUATION & LEARNING

• Lead in the design of the project's monitoring and evaluation methodology on the inclusive governance dimensions and collaborate with the project's MEAL Specialist.
• Review policy briefs, position papers, advocacy materials, and knowledge products to ensure quality of gender-responsive, inclusive governance integration in project activities.
• Analyze challenges and opportunities to recommend adaptive measures to strengthen gender-responsive, inclusive governance outcomes.
• Support to collect, consolidate, and review project data and reports, ensuring alignment with MERL and quality assurance standards.
• Contribute to the documentation of learning and innovations in the field of gender-transformative inclusive governance and the project’s annual work plans and narrative reports according to project deadlines.
• Facilitate and conduct knowledge-sharing initiatives to enhance understanding of a gender-transformative, inclusive governance approach. 
• Lead semi-annual and annual project review processes in Nepal and ensure timely review of activity level TORs in a timely manner.  
• Promote adaptive management by analyzing challenges, documenting lessons learned, and integrating innovations into project implementation.

G. PROJECT PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION

• Oversee the performance effectiveness of partners both in technical and financial spheres.
• Supervise the GEHR and MEAL Specialists in Nepal to provide complementary IG technical and programmatic leadership to enhance the project activities' implementation and outcomes.  
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with CSOs, government, development partners, and private sector actors, and represent CECI in coordination, policy, and advocacy platforms.

H. SAFEGUARDING AND ETHICS

• Adhere to CECI’s procedures, policies, and security guidelines.  
• Promote security awareness and ensure compliance with relevant procedures for team members and partners.  
• Uphold CECI’s Code of Conduct, preventing exploitation, abuse, and harassment while fostering diversity, equity, and inclusivity.

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Advanced university degree in governance, leadership and democracy studies, development economics, social sciences, international development, gender studies, project management, or a related field.
• Minimum five years of progressive management experience, with expertise in project cycle management, quality assurance, reporting, innovative project design, and evaluation.
• Prior experience managing projects related to inclusive governance, federalism, democratic outreach, civic engagement, and capacity development.
• Proven success in managing donor-funded projects, ensuring compliance throughout the project cycle. Experience with GAC-funded projects is desirable.
• Experience working in Nepal in programmatic and policy advisory roles relevant to inclusive governance sector policies, procedures, and relevant platforms.
• Experience facilitating coordination and dialogue among diverse stakeholders, including citizens, elected representatives, CSOs, and ministries, and developing and managing partnerships.
• Experience conducting desk research, producing high-quality reports, strategic positioning materials, and knowledge products in inclusive governance, federalism, democratic outreach, civic engagement, and GESI.
• Practical knowledge and experience in promoting GESI for evidence-based policy formulation and advocacy related to inclusive governance, democratic participation, and women’s empowerment in Nepal.
• Skilled in partner capacity strengthening, staff training, and mentoring project teams.
• Strong analytical and strategic planning capabilities and resource management abilities to drive successful project delivery.
• Sensitivity to social, cultural, and political dynamics, with experience navigating diverse opinions and perceptions of stakeholders.
• Highly adaptable to dynamic environments, shifting priorities, and evolving stakeholder needs.
• Comfortable navigating uncertainty, proactively addressing challenges, and fostering innovation.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and relevant software tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Nepali, with the ability to multitask, organize, and prioritize effectively.

REPORTING AND SUPERVISION

The Programme and Inclusive Governance Lead will report directly to the Country Representative, with functional reporting to the SAMA-SAMA Regional Team Leader.

The Programme and Inclusive Governance Lead will manage project specialists and staff.

WORK CONDITIONS AND LOGISTICS 

• Duty station: Nepal office in Kathmandu, with frequent travels to project areas in Lumbini and Madhesh.
• Transportation allowance for official activities and a work laptop will be provided.
• Statutory benefits as provided by the Nepal labour laws.

REFERENCE AND VETTING PROCEDURE 

CECI conducts comprehensive background and reference checks, emphasizing protection and safeguarding. Candidates must provide contact details for three references, who will only be contacted with explicit consent.

APPLICATION 

Submit your Cover Letter and CV/resume to cecinepal@ceci.ca with subject [NP] [Programme&IG] [Last Name] before 5 PM Nepal Time on Monday, 16 February 2026.

Download the detailed TOR here.

CECI is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from women and marginalized groups, including people with disabilities and sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals. Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request for candidates participating in every step of the hiring process.