Regional Economic Inclusion Specialist for South Asia Programme

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Handicap International Federation (HI) also known as Humanity & Inclusion globally, is an independent and impartial aid organization, created in 1982, working across 60 countries. HI works alongside the vulnerable populations, whatever the context, taking action to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights. 

HI South Asia (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka) Regional Programme is seeking applications from qualified local candidates for it’s national position of ‘Regional Economic Inclusion (EI) Specialist’. 

Position Title: Regional Economic Inclusion Specialist for South Asia Programme

Mission: Under the responsibility of Regional Technical Head of Programme (THOP), s/he contributes to the development and implementation of regional strategies/action plans (particularly sectorial strategy and fundraising plan), in line with HI global frameworks and standards. S/he ensues sound representation and visibility of HI’s expertise/experiences in Economic platforms/events and networks and establish influencing/relationship of HI among the relevant stakeholders.  S/he leads or contribute for the development of new and/or major opportunities/projects, research and innovation projects in the region. Through delegation system and appropriate control mechanism, s/he ensures optimal quality and impact and  capitalizations form the EI related projects in the region/countries.

Location: Colombo/Dhaka/Delhi/Kathmandu (any of the 4 locations as per nationality of candidate)

Terms & Conditions: Fixed Term 3 years (Renewable) Contract

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of regional EI strategy and action plans in line with the regional and global strategies of HI.
• Optimize HI’s visibility, external prestige / positioning, influence and networking in Economic and Social Protection sectors by ensuring sound  representation (with HI’s technical expertise/experiences) and visibility in regional and country level relevant networks, forums/platforms.
• Lead or support the country team to strengthen the Economic Inclusion sector, including Livelihoods and linking livelihood initiatives with Social Protection/ safety net provisionsthe country (when relevant).
• Contribute to advocacy on specific themes in line with HI global advocacy priorities for economic inclusion and social protection/development and contribute to communication messages regionally/locally in line with HI global communication priorities.
• Steer the development of major opportunities and/or new EI and social protection projects in the region/countries. Lead or contribute to the conception of major projects (multiple countries, regional level) or of new projects in EI and social protection sectors with context analysis, facilitating design process and writing of the project proposals in the region/countries.
• Facilitate in development and implementation of EI related sector specific fund raising or business development plan in the region.
• Identify & transform major opportunities in the region under EI sector; and identify and develop local partnerships and/or consortium with (I)NGOs, Institutions, Companies on technical priorities of EI sector in the region.
• Ensure optimal quality and impact of the EI projects in all the countries of the region, through:  a delegation system to provide quality technical support to the EI projects in line with the global technical frameworks and standards; and appropriate mechanism to control and monitor the technical quality and the relevance of HI’s activities under the EI projects.
• Ensure technical learning and capitalization from the EI projects.
• Ensure compliance of the technical proposition with nexus stakes 
• Contribute to the development of research and innovation EI projects in the region.
• Lead capacity development initiatives and professional channel development of EI related technical personnel in the region.
• Develop and facilitate to implement approach paper for: social protection as cross cutting sector and graduation model as integrated programming of South Asia Regional Programme. 
• Contribute/support for the implementation of emergency preparedness actions of the programme (countries in the regional programme) and, during an emergency, adapts his/her working modality to contribute to an effective HI humanitarian response and develop integrated transitioning approaches from emergency to economic recovery when required. 

Qualification and Skills Required:

• Master’s degree in economics, business administration, social development or any other related field with at least 6 years of relevant technical experience with senior advisory position OR Bachelor’s degree in relevant field with at least 8 years of relevant technical experience; preferably working experience in more than one country in South Asia Region
• Proven experience in professional capacity building (training, coaching) skills.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of global standards and guidelines for Economic Inclusion sector and its components: Cash and vouchers assistance; financial inclusion; livelihood and self-employment; vocational and technical training; wage employment.
• Kowledge of (disability) inclusive practices and policies
• Experience in networking and influencing towards economic inclusive sector development in the South Asia region/countries.
• Skilled in public relations/representation / internal-external communication.
• Knowledge of norms, frameworks, references related to economic inclusion/ its components and social protection and disability inclusion (in global and regional context).
• Proficient in strategic and analytical skills.
• Proficient in written and spoken English.

To Apply:

Send a motivation letter mentioning position applied for and expected salary and an updated CV including 2 referees with contact number and e-mail address to recruitment@southasia.hi.org no later than 29th March 2024. HI South Asia Programme reserves the right to cancel, postpone or modify the whole recruitment process and reject any application without specifying any reasons whatsoever.

Handicap International (HI) is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women, people with disability, and members from disadvantaged communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

HI firmly believes in the importance of inclusion and diversity within our organization. This is why we are committed to a disability policy to encourage the inclusion and integration of people with disabilities. Please indicate if you require any special accommodations, including participation in the first interview.

Candidates applying for a job with HI must be ready to comply with our Child Protection Policy, and Policy on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment. HI Nepal has a zero tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the values and mission of HI, hence, all selected candidates are expected to adhere to these standards and principles.