Country Director

Helvetas is an organization specialized in development cooperation and humanitarian response, anchored in Switzerland. Our vision is a just world in which all men and women determine the course of their lives in dignity and security, using environmental resources in a sustainable manner. As per October 2021 or upon agreement we are looking for a Country Director Nepal 100%.

Helvetas has been working in Nepal for more than 63 years. Currently, it runs more than ten projects in three working areas: water, food and climate; voice, inclusion, cohesion; and skills, jobs, income.

The position as Country Director requires a visionary leader who is an accomplished credible and very experienced manager with a high-level understanding of development issues in Nepal, the region, and the global level. S/he will work closely with the Programme Coordinator at the Helvetas head office in Switzerland.

Your main tasks

• Lead to develop and review Helvetas Nepal’s strategic planning and ensures its effective execution
• Provide strategic guidance for the Helvetas Nepal country programmes
• Guide senior staff and Team Leaders to achieve the organization’s and individual project objectives
• Motivate, coach, and manage the Helvetas Nepal’s diverse team
• Foster an atmosphere of cooperation and cohesive relationships among colleagues in the team
• Take a pro-active role in the development policy dialogue with the Government of Nepal and the donor community with reference to Helvetas experiences in Nepal
• Maintain and further strengthen networks and relationships with central and local governments, strategic donor partners and non-governmental development partners
• Promote acquisition activities, innovation, learning and knowledge sharing
• Ensure efficient human resources, financial and administrative management and compliance with organisational policies and guidelines.

Your qualifications

• Post graduate degree in any relevant field, course in international development cooperation will be an advantage
• More than 10 years of experience in similar leadership and senior management positions in development cooperation in Nepal and abroad
• Experience in leading organisational strategic planning and ensuring its effective execution
• Proven record in leadership: motivating, coaching and developing individuals and facilitating knowledge sharing
• Track record of successful acquisition
• Experience in efficient human resources, finance and administrative management of a development organisation
• Track record of developing, leading and managing multi sector projects
• Experience in policy dialogue with government and external support agencies
• High level of negotiation and influencing skills and capacity to develop and maintain strong relationship with all stakeholders
• Strong motivator and mentor; proven record in building organisational talent by nurturing and encouraging empowerment and developing staff and partners
• Excellent analytical, conceptual and programmatic competencies
• Strong diplomatic and communication skills; ability to communicate with a broad spectrum of individuals and organisations with command of English and Nepali languages
• Sound knowledge and understanding of the development context, social, political, ethnic and economic fabrics of Nepal
• Good understanding and knowledge of political economy of development cooperation and federalism

Our offer

A contract of two years with possibility of extension. Attractive working conditions, a satisfactory and challenging job in a multicultural team. Helvetas strives for an equitable work force diversity and gender balance among its staff.