Project Coordinator (STEM)

SHAKHI: FRIENDS OF WOMEN

Pheta Rural Municipality-1, Bhaluhi, Bara, Madhesh Province, Nepal

 +977-9748382733

VACANCY NOTICE

Project Coordinator – FREE STEM Fund Project

ABOUT THE ORGANISATION

SHAKHI: Friends of Women is a registered non-profit organisation working in Pheta Rural Municipality, Bara District, Madhesh Province, Nepal. SHAKHI works to advance gender equality, women’s rights, and social inclusion in rural and marginalized communities, with a special focus on girls’ education, digital literacy, and STEM access.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The FREE STEM Fund project is a 24-month initiative running from April 2026 to April 2028.The project aims to increase equitable access to STEM learning for girls and young women in rural Nepal by:

• Expanding the community computer lab from 8 to 20 computers
• Providing basic computer literacy training to 320 girls and young women
• Delivering applied STEM learning through accounting software training for 160 girls
• Providing inclusive computer training for 80 girls and women with disabilities
• Conducting 20 STEM and AI awareness sessions in schools, reaching ~1,000 students
• Facilitating 14 community dialogue sessions with ~700 parents and community leaders
• Engaging local government for long-term sustainability of girls’ STEM education

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Project Coordinator (PC) is the primary technical and operational lead for the FREE STEM Fund project. This is a dual role combining hands-on STEM instruction (computer basics, accounting software, and advanced digital packages) with full project management, activity implementation, and donor reporting responsibilities. The PC will work directly with girl participants, community stakeholders, local government, and the Executive Director to ensure the project achieves its targets on time, within budget, and in compliance with Donor's grant requirements.

This position demands someone who can both stand in front of a computer lab and run a class AND sit down and produce a quality narrative report for an international donor. Candidates who can only do one of these will not be considered.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

A. STEM Training and Direct Instruction

The Project Coordinator will serve as the primary trainer for all technical sessions:

• Deliver Basic Computer Literacy Training to 320 girls over 24 months, covering computer fundamentals, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), internet use, email, and digital safety
• Deliver Applied STEM / Accounting Software Training for 160 girls who have completed +2 with Commerce/Accounts/Economics or are enrolled at Bachelor level, covering accounting packages (e.g., Tally, or equivalent)
• Design and adapt training modules to match participants’ skill levels, including those with no prior computer experience
• Provide inclusive, flexible instruction for 80 girls and women with disabilities, adapting learning materials and pacing as needed
• Conduct 20 STEM and AI Awareness Sessions in secondary schools and colleges, reaching approximately 1,000 students, with particular focus on encouraging girls to pursue STEM
• Maintain training attendance records, pre/post assessments, and participant progress tracking

B. Project Management and Activity Implementation

• Prepare detailed monthly and quarterly activity plans aligned with the approved Project Plan (Annex 2 of the Grant Agreement)
• Coordinate and implement all 9 project activities, managing timelines, logistics, and participant engagement
• Organize and facilitate 14 Community Dialogue Sessions with parents and community leaders on gender and STEM
• Support the Executive Director in coordinating Local Government Engagement meetings and STEM action planning workshops
• Manage the documentation of success stories and support production of the project documentary
• Maintain complete procurement and activity records with supporting documentation for audit purposes as donor requirements.
• Identify and escalate implementation risks or delays to the Executive Director immediately

C. Donor Reporting and Documentation

The PC carries direct responsibility for preparing and submitting all required reports to Donor on schedule:

• Maintain detailed activity logbooks, beneficiary records, and photo/video documentation
• Support the Finance Officer in preparing financial reports and ensuring expenditure aligns with approved budget lines
• Collect and compile participant success stories, case studies, and impact evidence

D. Safeguarding and Compliance

• Ensure all project activities comply with Donor’s Safeguarding Statement and SHAKHI’s own policies
• Obtain informed consent from all participants (including minors and their guardians) for data collection, photography, and video
• Report any safeguarding concerns immediately to the Executive Director and, where required, to Women Win
• Uphold zero tolerance for fraud, corruption, and conflicts of interest as required under the Grant Agreement

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education (Non-Negotiable)

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Application, STEM Education, or a closely related technical field
• Additional training or certification in accounting software (Tally ERP 9, Tally Prime, or equivalent) is required

Technical Skills (Non-Negotiable)

• Demonstrated ability to teach computer basics: hardware/software fundamentals, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), internet, email, and digital safety
• Demonstrated ability to teach accounting software: Tally or equivalent package at a level appropriate for +2/Bachelor Commerce students
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office – especially Excel for tracking data and preparing reports
• Basic understanding of AI and digital technology concepts sufficient to lead awareness sessions

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of experience in project coordination or programme management in an NGO, INGO, or government setting
• Minimum 2 years of experience in computer/STEM training or teaching, preferably with girls or youth from marginalized communities
• Demonstrated experience writing narrative reports for donors or government agencies in English
• Experience working in Madhesh Province or similar rural Terai contexts is strongly preferred
• Prior work with Dalit, caste-marginalized, or disability communities is an advantage

Language

• Fluent in Nepali (required for community engagement and training delivery)
• Proficient in English for donor reporting and official correspondence with donor
• Bhojpuri language skills are an advantage given the project location

Personal Competencies

• Commitment to gender equality, feminist values, and social inclusion
• Strong organizational and time management skills – this role involves simultaneous training delivery and reporting deadlines
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Sensitivity and professionalism when working with marginalized girls, including those with disabilities
• Integrity and adherence to safeguarding principles

WHAT WE OFFER

• Monthly salary: Negotiable or (as per approved project budget)
• Provident fund, gratuity, and festival allowance as per organizational HR policy
• Fixed-term 24-month contract with possibility of renewal subject to funding
• Opportunity to work on an internationally funded women’s rights and STEM project
• Professional development and capacity-building support

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications should submit the following to vacancy.shakhibara@gmail.com with the subject line: Application – Project Coordinator, FREE STEM Fund:

• Updated CV (maximum 3 pages)
• Cover letter (maximum 1 page) addressing: (a) your STEM teaching experience, (b) your experience with donor reporting, and (c) why you want to work with SHAKHI on this project
• Copies of academic certificates and relevant training/certification documents
• Contact details of two professional references

Application Deadline: 17 May 2026 by 24:00 Nepali Time

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview.

SHAKHI is an equal opportunity employer. Women, Dalit, Janajati, persons with disabilities, and candidates from marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.