Financial Sector Development Adviser - DFID Nepal

Reference: DFIDJOB-0219

Closing date: 15 June 2012

Interview date: Not Specified

Number of vacancies: 1

Salary: - A2L

Location: Kathmandu, Nepal

Appointment Terms: Permanent

Working Arrangements: Full-time

Specific requirements: Staff appointed in country (SAIC)

Brief description: The DFID office in Nepal requires an experienced Financial Sector Development Adviser to work as part of DFID Nepal’s Inclusive Wealth Creation Team. In particular the post holder will lead DFID’s work in the financial sector.

Background

DFID, the Department for International Development, is the part of the UK Government that manages Britain’s aid to poor countries. Our work is focused on achieving the Millennium Development Goals - the United Nations targets for fighting poverty that must be met by 2015. We work with the governments of poor countries, charities, and international organisations to find lasting solutions to the global problem of poverty.

DFID Nepal is responsible for managing the British Government’s contribution to development in Nepal. Its objectives are to (a) support the implementation of the peace agreement, and build a more effective and inclusive state, (b) increase access to basic services for all (c) to promote inclusive economic growth and (d) increase the resilience of the people of Nepal to natural disasters and climate change.

The DFID office in Nepal now requires an experienced Financial Sector Development Adviser to work as part of DFID Nepal’s Inclusive Wealth Creation Team. In particular the post holder will lead DFID’s work in the financial sector. This is a new area of focus for DFID Nepal and the post-holder will lead the development and implementations of a DFID intervention in the area of financial inclusion, working with GoN and other bilateral and multilateral organisations.

Description

DFID Nepal is a fast moving environment that prides itself on being responsive to new opportunities. This is a challenging advisory position that requires a creative and pro-active adviser with a thorough understanding of the financial sector’s contribution to development. They must have the enthusiasm and authority to build relationships with, and influence, senior Government, private sector, civil society and donor partners to help address fundamental issues in the financial sector that hamper Nepal’s growth and the ability of the poor to lift themselves out of poverty. S/he will need strong leadership skills in advising and influencing DFID Nepal and other donors on how best the financial sector can develop and good management skills to ensure effective delivery of DFID’s financial sector programmes.

Organisational Position

The post-holder will be based in the DFID Nepal office in Patan, Kathmandu, and will travel in Kathmandu and Nepal, to other countries in the region and to DFID HQ in the UK as appropriate. S/he will be a key member of the Inclusive Wealth Creation Team and will report to the Private Sector Development Adviser.

Main duties

1. Financial Sector policy and programme

• Lead the development of new programmes in the financial sector.
• In doing so the post holder will ensure that these programmes deliver their development results, financial forecasts and meet DFID’s corporate reporting and value for money requirements.
• Identify, design, commission and monitor the implementation and impact of DFID projects, programmes and policies in the financial sector.
• Work closely with relevant government agencies, banks and financial institutions in the development and implementation of prioritised, transparent and pro-poor financial sector policies, programmes and projects.
• Identify and address institutional and human capacity constraints preventing effective delivery of DFID programmes in the financial sector.
• Improve the government’s ability to monitor, account and reduce corruption in the financial sector including ensuring up to date fiduciary risk assessments are maintained and used to improve government performance in the financial sector.
• Ensure that work to address the development of the Private sector recognises the constraints and opportunities from the financial sector.
• Ensure that economic policy work relating to the financial sector is well informed.
• Ensure that the financial sector programmes supported by DFID Nepal and GoN are well designed to help and promote marginalised groups and women.
• Develop strong working relationships with government and development agencies working in the financial sector in Nepal.

2. Access to Finance in other DFID Programmes

Working with team leaders/ Programme Leads of other relevant DFID programme:

• Provide technical support and quality assurance to strengthen the access to finance components in other relevant DFID Nepal programmes.
• Provide technical support to other relevant DFID Nepal programmes to enhance the cooperation/ linkage between these and DFID Nepal supported and other relevant Financial Sector Development Programmes.

3. Nepal Office and DFID wide

• Contribute to office wide fora and uphold DFID Nepal values.
  • Work as part of the Inclusive Wealth Creation team to ensure effective implementation of the IWCT operational plan
• Provide short term inputs to other relevant DFID programmes.
• As requested respond to requests to organise field visits, briefings etc. on financial sector related areas.
• Maintain up to date information on financial sector where DFID is not directly involved.
• Provide input into policy and information requests on the financial sector from the DFID regional and policy departments, and Private Sector Development Head of Profession.
• Define a programme for professional development that will enhance existing knowledge and broaden skills to cover all the areas covered in the Private Sector Development Adviser’s and general competency frameworks, including use of 10% of professional time for wider Private Sector Development advisory work.

4. Terms and Reporting Arrangements

The Financial Sector Development Adviser will be appointed on a full contract upon satisfactory completion of a six month probation period. The appointment will be at the DFID grade A2L on DFID Staff Appointed in Country (SAIC) Terms.

The Financial Sector Development Adviser will report to the Private Sector Development Adviser; team leader of the Inclusive Wealth Creation Team will be the Countersigning Officer. The start date for the post is 1st August, 2012.

5. Skill and competency requirements.

• A minimum of a master’s degree or equivalent level of academic and professional experience in business administration, accounting, finance, economics, or a related discipline.
• Experience in providing policy advice inputs at all levels to the public and private sectors.
• At least ten years working experience in areas directly related to the job description.
• The ability to demonstrate competencies in all areas of the Private Sector Development Adviser’s competencies (see attached competency guide).
• Experience of working with the Government of Nepal and with Development agencies is also required.
• Proven ability to work at strategic policy and field implementation levels.
• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills and ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds are essential.
• Commitment to poverty reduction and equality.

6. Competencies required

6.1. The job holder will be required to demonstrate level 3 competency in all DFID general competencies, see attached competency framework.

6.2. The consultant will be expected to demonstrate DFID’s core Private Sector Development / Enterprise Development Competences (outlined in more detail in Annex 1). In addition the candidate should be expected to have the following specialist competences:

a) Capital/ Financial Markets
b) Business Enabling Environment

Send completed applications to recruitment-nepal@dfid.gov.uk. Only completed applications made on the prescribed application form will be considered.

Closing date for application is 15 June 2012.