Sustainability Coordinator

Vacancy Announcement

Job title: Sustainability Coordinator

Location: Based in KVS, Surkhet, with frequent program site visits

Reports to: Associate Manager – Futures, School and Sustainability

Direct reports to this Position: Sustainability Trainee

About Kopila Valley Sewa Samaj (KVSS)

“A world where every child is safe, educated, loved”

Kopila Valley Sewa Samaj is a nonprofit organization that implements programs in rural Nepal, including a school, a children’s home, and a women’s training center, Kopila Valley Sewa Samaj, through close ties with the local community. Our mission is to change the world by empowering Nepal’s children. With the funding support from Blinknow Foundation, every day, we strive to create a sustainable organization working to educate all of Kopila’s children until they are ready to enter the world as happy, skilled, confident, self-sufficient adults. We believe we can serve as a model for quality education in Nepal. We will strive to provide our children with scholarships (should they choose to pursue higher education), and the skills required to enter the world as global citizens and ambassadors for change.

Position Summary:- Sustainability Coordinator  

The Sustainability Coordinator will play a key role in strengthening teaching and learning at Kopila Valley School through increasing place- based learning methodologies, developing integrated curriculum, and promoting high-quality, child-centered education. The role will work across multiple grade levels from pre-primary to secondary and across subject areas as needed.

The Sustainability Coordinator will also lead sustainability-focused student engagement initiatives, oversee experiential learning systems such as aquaponics, and create & implement environmentally supportive sustainable initiatives, promote  collaboration among students, teachers, and relevant stakeholders to create a positive and inspiring learning environment.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Integrated Teaching & Learning Support through EFS: Strengthen teaching quality by building an integrated teaching and learning system with core teachers ( Math, science, Social, as per relevant), supporting curriculum implementation, and improving classroom practices across grade levels and subject areas.
2. Lead Sustainability Student Engagement Sessions: Lead internal and external sustainability-related programs, clubs, and experiential learning opportunities , create and design sustainable environmental /agricultural initiatives that promote environmental awareness, leadership, and hands-on student learning.
3. Aquaponics & create new adaptive Practical Learning Systems: Oversee the effective functioning of the aquaponics system and integrate it into the curriculum to enrich student learning experiences. Based on learning experience and knowledge, encourage more practical learning systems at Kopila for reestablishing it as a learning center of Sustainability at Karnali. 
4. Coordination, Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with like minded agencies, local networks, and non profit organizations/educational institutions and  maintain effective communication, ensure timely reporting, and contribute to a collaborative school environment.

DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES

The Sustainability Coordinator  will be mainly responsible for overseeing the following areas of responsibility:

1. Integrated Teaching & Learning Support through EFS: Strengthen teaching quality by building an integrated teaching and learning system with core teachers ( Math, science, Social, as per relevant), supporting curriculum implementation, and improving classroom practices across grade levels and subject areas.

• Support teachers in implementing recommendations from the integrated curriculum prioritized from “ Education for sustainability” content and encourage cross-subject learnings into Kopila. 
• Mentor and coach teachers across multiple subjects and grade levels, from pre-primary to secondary for building collaborative learning approaches. 
• Demonstrate effective teaching methodologies, classroom management, and student-centered approaches to strengthen place based learning practices.  
• Encourage reflective practice, collaboration, and innovation among teachers identifying the knowledge and skills gaps, meeting their needs and monitoring plans

2. Lead Sustainability Student Engagement Sessions: Lead internal and external sustainability-related programs, clubs, and experiential learning opportunities , create and design sustainable environmental /agricultural initiatives that promote environmental awareness, leadership, and hands-on student learning.

• Lead Sustainability initiatives across the school students through existing regular assigned Gardening classes, outdoor classroom activities, School exhibition and fairs 
• Coordinate and facilitate activities of the Sustainability Ambassador Club and Bird Watching Club. 
• Plan, implement, and report on outdoor learning visits, educational tours, campaigns, and indoor co-curricular activities. 
• Work closely with school leadership and relevant teachers to embed sustainability themes into student learning. 
• Promote student leadership, environmental stewardship, and active participation.

3. Aquaponics & create new adaptive Practical Learning Systems: Oversee the effective functioning of the aquaponics system and integrate it into the curriculum to enrich student learning experiences. Based on learning experience and knowledge, encourage more practical learning systems at Kopila for reestablishing it as a learning center of Sustainability at Karnali. 

• Lead and oversee the operation, maintenance, and effective functioning of the school aquaponics system. 
• Coordinate with relevant staff to monitor and improve the system regularly. 
• Link aquaponics activities to curriculum objectives in science, sustainability, and practical learning. 
• Engage students in project-based and experiential learning through the aquaponics system. 
• Promote new innovative feasible, affordable, sustainable , practical and student curiosity new projects that can be introduced within Kopila valley School  through practical environmental education models

4. Coordination, Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with like minded agencies, local networks, and non profit organizations/educational institutions and  maintain effective communication, ensure timely reporting, and contribute to a collaborative school environment.

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of innovative and creative sustainability programs and projects in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, partners, donors, community members, and students, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and long-term sustainability objectives.
• Support the daily sustainability departmental activities related with livestock, agricultural operation, external stakeholders support, farm management and gardening classes/curriculum planning as per need of the team
• Liaise between students, teachers, internal team and the organization to create a safe, supportive, and effective learning environment at Kopila.  
• Build and maintain strong relationships with students, teachers, team members, community beneficiaries, and relevant stakeholders for sustainability initiatives planning, implementation and evaluation
• Submit weekly updates and reports to the Manager, and immediate updates on urgent issues. 
• Attend quarterly donor meetings, weekly staff meetings and share academic and operational updates. 
• Maintain accurate records, documentation, and systems for accountability and efficiency. 
• Support school-wide initiatives and collaborate across departments as required.
• Maintain administrative and financial logistics, documentation and reporting system through recommended communication and reporting channels of KVSS.

Additional expectations

The Sustainability Coordinator  is also expected to:

• Take ownership of change and promote innovative approaches to improve educational learning outcomes at Kopila Valley School. 
• Foster a positive working environment by bringing solutions to discussions and challenges. 
• Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions and responsibilities. 
• Promote team alignment with organization-wide decisions and priorities. 
• Ensure confidentiality and responsible handling of student and organizational information. 
• Respond proactively to challenges and escalate urgent matters when necessary. 
• Represent the organization positively and professionally in internal and external engagements. 
• Be flexible and available to support urgent or special activities when required. 
• Embrace and actively support organizational values including care, child protection, gender equity, and sustainability. 
• Undertake any additional responsibilities as assigned by the Supervisor. 

The above list of responsibilities is not comprehensive, and the Sustainability Coordinator may be required to take on additional responsibilities as determined by his/her Manager.

REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science or Sustainability. Preference will be given to a Master's degree in Environmental Science or Sustainability or a relevant subject.
• Must have at least 5 years of working experience in the relevant field.

Experience and Skills

• Proven work experience in planning, implementation and evaluation of environmental sustainability initiatives in community or educational settings. 
• Experience in leading young adults, school children and community groups/farmers for sustainable environmental/social/economic experiential learning programs is preferred. 
• Experience working in multicultural environments is highly preferred. 
• Able to work with diverse external stakeholder within local, regional, national and international level, 
• Strong mentoring, leadership, and classroom support skills. 
• Strong planning, coordination, reporting, and organizational skills. 
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. 
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills. 
• Strong record-keeping and administrative skills. 
• Knowledge or willingness to learn practical systems such as aquaponics.

Language

• Strong communication skills in English. 
• Fluency in Nepali is an advantage.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

You believe that we can change the world in the blink of an eye. 

• You believe in making decisions that put children first. 
• You are self-motivated, organized, and approachable. 
• You enjoy creating systems, keeping records, and increasing efficiency. 
• You are always looking for new ways for the team to work smarter instead of harder. 
• You are detail-oriented and conscientious. You make sure nothing slips through the cracks. 
• You have a strong work ethic and willingness to pick up new skills. You are comfortable multitasking. 
• You are positive, patient, and a clear communicator who is comfortable working with Kopila Valley staff in Nepal and BlinkNow staff in the United States. 
• You are an empathetic person with a knack for solving problems before they escalate and soothing conflicts beneath the surface. 
• You require little supervision and are flexible. You understand that you may wear many hats in this role, many of which are not explicitly included in this job description.

If you think this career opportunity will amplify your career growth, we encourage you to apply by clicking “Apply For This Jobˮ and submit all required documents. Only shortlisted candidates will be called for further screening process. No telephone inquiries will be entertained. We accept and screen applications on a rolling basis.