Senior Programme Officer (Level 8 ) / Value Chain Officer (VCO) (Level 7) / Technical Assistant (TA) (Level 4)

Vacancy Announcement

Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD) is a non-profit making, non-governmental organization established in October 1995 with its Head Office in Pokhara. LI-BIRD is committed to capitalizing on local initiatives for sustainable management of renewable natural resources and improving the livelihoods of rural people in Nepal.

LI-BIRD provides a collegial, supportive and multidisciplinary working environment where young professionals with a learning attitude thrive and succeed. LI-BIRD provides unparalleled mentoring support while challenging its staff to learn, innovate and acquire skills and experiences that will become foundational for the rest of their careers.

‘Sowing Diversity = Harvesting Security’ (SD=HS) project is implemented by LI-BIRD in Doti, Dadeldhura, Kanchanpur and Kailali districts of Sudurpaschim Province with financial support from SIDA through Oxfam Novib in Nepal. The project aims that indigenous peoples and smallholder farmers enjoy their Farmers’ Rights and have the capacity to access, develop and use plant genetic resources to improve their food and nutrition security under conditions of climate change.

SD=HS project’s working area was hard hit by the devastating post monsoon rainfall damaging ready to harvest paddy seeds, grains and infrastructures in October 2021. In this context, a one year disaster recovery project entitled ‘Recuperating farmers seed system and increasing community resilience in Sudurpaschim Province of Nepal’ is being implemented in alignment with the existing SD=HS Project. The disaster recovery project aims to rebuild physically damaged infrastructure, revitalize access to finance for disaster affected households, robust local seed supply chain and business by implementing innovative and inclusive measures linking stakeholders in development, disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate resilience and emergency preparedness.

‘Strengthening the Agricultural Value Chains in Salyan and Sindhupalchok districts of Nepal (SAVC)’ project is being implemented in Salyan and Sindhupalchowk districts jointly by LI-BIRD and Welthungerhilfe (WHH) with funding support of Happel Foundation, Switzerland. The project aims to enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers through strengthened agricultural value chains. The project works on strengthening the capacity of cooperatives and market promotion committees to ensure supply of quality input to the producer farmers and marketing of agricultural produce.

LI-BIRD invites applications from eligible and qualified Nepali citizens who are committed and have the ability to deliver results with the highest integrity for the following positions:

1. Senior Programme Officer (Level 8 ) - 1 (For SD=HS / Disaster recovery project based at Kailali District)

Job Summary: Reporting to the Team Leader, SD=HS Programme, Senior Programme Officer is primarily responsible for providing overall leadership to the ‘Recuperating farmer’s seed system and increasing community resilience in the Sudurpaschim Province of Nepal’ project. The Senior Programme Officer’s duty includes: organizing capacity building training and awareness events on disaster preparedness and risk management; developing weather smart information systems; support on strengthening local seed systems and seed enterprises; building strong relationships and partnerships with the government agencies, CSOs, media and private sector stakeholders. SPO needs to work in close coordination with the SD=HS Project team and play an effective role to bring synergy between SDHS Project and Recovery Project.

Education and Experience: Master’s Degree in Agricultural Sciences or Natural Resource Management with specialization on Climate Change Adaptation or other relevant subject with three years of field-based work experience in agriculture and DRR. Candidates with valid motorbike/scooter license and work experience in the implementation and reporting of projects are encouraged to apply.

Please go through the link below for the job details:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13Ef6nx7Z9oJQXum1WfukxEkcCBZ2s5Uu/view?usp=sharing

2. Value Chain Officer (VCO) (Level 7) -1 (For SAVC Project based at Sindhupalchowk District)

Job Summary: Reporting to the Value Chain Coordinator, The Value Chain Officer(VCO) will be responsible for the overall management of the project by providing the leadership role in the areas of planning, execution, monitoring, coordination, documentation and reporting in Sindhupalchowk district. S/he needs to efficiently manage project resources including staff and budget and build relationships with donors and government and provide technical guidance to the project team and cooperatives to achieve project outcomes.

Education and Experience: Masters Degree in agriculture economics or agribusiness or equivalent in related fields, with 1 years of work experience (preferably 2 years). Candidates with valid motorbike/scooter license and working experience in agriculture value chain development and private sector promotion are encouraged to apply.

Please go through the link below for the job details:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qrQoRrg1KNIKUoABigKBAM-c7WW5gMDZ/view?usp=sharing

3. Technical Assistant (TA) (Level 4) -1 (For SD=HS Project based at Dadeldhura District)

Job Summary: Reporting to the Project Officer, the Technical Assistant is primarily responsible for implementing day-to-day field level activities of the ‘Sowing Diversity = Harvesting Security’’ (SD=HS) project funded by SIDA through Oxfam Novib. S/he needs to work closely with farmers’ groups/cooperatives, local government and market actors to plan, implement and coordinate the project activities at the community level.

Education and Experience: Intermediate or JT/JTA degree in Plant Science. Candidates with three years of work experience. Candidates with valid motorbike/scooter license and working experience in the areas of seed production/enterprise, livelihood enhancement in rural settings are encouraged to apply.

Please go through the link below for the job details:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tOHZsAvw6XOx5VPN-kgCY0_UPp0dRv1C/view?usp=sharing

Please visit our website at: http://www.libird.org/app/career/home for organizational details and full announcement, including detailed job descriptions, skills/competencies requirements, and application instructions.

LI-BIRD offers competitive remuneration and other fringe benefits as laid out in its personnel policy. Interested candidates are requested to submit their applications with CV, including three references, citizenship certificate, motorbike/scooter driving license and relevant testimonials, by 17 January 2022 (3 Magh 2078). Applications can be submitted via email at opportunities@libird.org with the subject starting as: [VACANCY] or maybe hand-delivered at LI-BIRD Head Office, Gairapatan, Pokhara or the Programme Coordination Office, Sanepa, Lalitpur. All candidates need to fill an application in the link https://bit.ly/3mXv9FB. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for the interview. Telephone calls will not be entertained and could lead to disqualification.

LI-BIRD promotes workforce diversity and applies positive discrimination to candidates from discriminated groups (women and candidates from Dalit, Janajati, Madhesi/Terai and other minority community).

Please apply to: Human Resources Manager, LI-BIRD, PO Box 324, Pokhara, Kaski

Diversifying Choices, Securing Livelihoods