Provincial Support Programme (PSP), Extension Phase is a bilateral initiative between Governments of Nepal and Switzerland. It is implemented by the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers (OCMCM), Koshi Province. The project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Helvetas Nepal provides technical assistance.
This project aims to support Nepal’s transition to federalism by strengthening governance and institutional capacity at the provincial level. Focusing primarily on Koshi Province, the programme seeks to establish well-functioning, inclusive institutions and systems to enhance service delivery, policy formulation, inter government collaboration and public accountability. Helvetas Nepal invites applications from dynamic and committed Nepali citizens for the following positions:
Position: Deputy Team Leader / Governance and Policy Reform Advisor – 1 position(s) – Open For All
Duty Station: Programme Support Unit (PSU), Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers (OCMCM), Biratnagar, with frequent travel as required
Job Description
Job Purpose
The Deputy Team Leader / Governance and Policy Reform Advisor will support the Team Leader in the strategic leadership and management of PSP. The position will provide technical guidance and policy advisory services to strengthen provincial governance systems, improve intergovernmental coordination, and support the Province Government in implementing its reform agenda aligned with federal standards, frameworks, and legal obligations.
The role also ensures strong coordination with Provincial Ministries, Local Governments, and federal counterparts to promote coherent policy reforms, institutional strengthening, and effective service delivery. The position will also lead to the development of ToRs, operational guidelines, policies, and related governance documents essential for the programme.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
1. Programme Coordination and Policy Advisory Support
Provide policy advisory services to OCMCM, provincial ministries, Provincial Assembly (PA) Secretariat, and Local Governments to strengthen governance systems and institutional capacities.
Facilitate alignment of the Province Government’s reform agenda with federal policies, national standards, and constitutional mandates to ensure coherence across all levels of government.
Coordinate and maintain effective communication with ministries, Provincial Planning Commission, PA Committees, Local Governments to support policy formulation and institutional reforms.
Coordinate with federal line ministries, if and when required.
Coordinate with other development programs of SDC and other DPs to harmonize provincial level development plan and programme.
Support OCMCM, Provincial Assembly, and ministries throughout the law making and legislative cycle, including policy formulation, drafting, review, and refinement of provincial bills, regulations, guidelines, and directives.
Provide technical assistance for legislative drafting, including preparation of concept notes, bill justifications, harmonization matrices, and supporting documents required for legislative procedures.
Facilitate structured collaboration between OCMCM, ministries, and PA Committees for committee deliberations, amendment processes, evidence based decision making, and inclusive legislative consultations.
Assist the PA Secretariat and ministries in developing and standardizing templates and tools, such as bill drafting formats, committee review checklists, amendment templates, and public consultation guidelines.
Promote stakeholder engagement and participatory processes to ensure inclusive, transparent, and accountable legislative practices.
Provide coaching and advisory support to ministry legal officers, committee secretaries, and PA members on parliamentary processes, policy analysis, and legislative drafting standards.
2. Technical Leadership on Governance and Reform Agenda
Lead or oversee the development of governance-related frameworks, guidelines, ToRs, operational manuals, and procedural documents for provincial institutions.
Provide expert input on institutional reform, legal harmonization, policy coherence, and capacity-building strategies.
Support the design and implementation of province-level governance reforms such as strategic planning, public service delivery improvement, administrative strengthening, and digital governance initiatives.
Ensure that reform recommendations are practical, compliant with federal standards, and implementable across ministries and Local Governments.
3. Programme Management and Quality Assurance
Support the Team Leader in the strategic planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the programme.
Deputise Team Leader as and when required.
Support TL for the program’s finance and administration management as per the HELVETAS Nepal and donor’s requirements.
Ensure technical deliverables, ensuring quality and timely achievement of results.
Provide backstopping support to thematic experts and consultants.
Assist in risk management, troubleshooting, and programme adaptation based on contextual and political developments.
4. Coordination, Representation, and Stakeholder Engagement
Ensure effective intergovernmental coordination between Provincial Ministries, Local Governments, Federal line Ministries, and Development Partners.
Represent PSP in provincial-level policy dialogues, technical committees, and reform steering platforms as delegated by the Team Leader.
5. Capacity Building and Technical Backstopping
Provide coaching and mentoring project team members, provincial and Local Government staff on governance, policy processes, planning, and institutional reform.
Facilitate training, workshops, and technical sessions on governance reform, policy development, and intergovernmental coordination.
6. Reporting and Communication
Develop and maintain programme reporting and communication systems in line with SDC’s rules, regulations, formats, and quality requirements.
Compile and contribute to periodic, semi annual, and annual progress reports, as requested by the Programme Director (PD) and Programme Manager (PM).
Support the preparation of key programme documents, including annual reports, yearly plans of operation (YPO), outcome monitoring summaries, and results frameworks.
Support documentation and dissemination of good practices, innovations, and policy lessons emerging from programme interventions.
7. Compliance to policies, regulations and guidelines
Ensure effective integration of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), good governance, and conflict-sensitive programming in all programme interventions.
Adhere to policies, procedures, regulations and guidelines of HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation (Code of Conduct; NPR-Nepal; Finance Manual; Security Response Guide; Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Guide; Mobbing, Sexual Harassment & Abuse of Authority; Code of Conduct Against Corruption etc.) and other specific policies applicable for organisational and donors’ visibility and communications guidelines.
Compliance with the applicable Government of Nepal (GoN) and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) policies as agreed in the agreement
Job Requirements
Minimum Educational and Professional Experience
Master’s degree in public administration, Public Policy, Political Science, Law, Development Studies, or in related field.
At least 7 years of progressive experience in governance reform, public administration, policy analysis or institutional strengthening with at least 3 years of dedicated experience in managing human resources, finance, administration and partner management.
Experience working with provincial or federal governments on policy reforms, planning, or service delivery improvement.
Required Competencies
Strong understanding of Nepal’s federal governance system, constitutional mandates, and intergovernmental coordination mechanisms.
Demonstrated ability to provide policy advice and manage multi-stakeholder reform processes.
Excellent skills in developing ToRs, guidelines, policy documents, and institutional frameworks.
Experience coordinating with government entities across federal, provincial, and local tiers.
Strong analytical, facilitation, and communication skills.
Strong motivator, a team player, and a coach.
Commitment to gender equality, social inclusion, accountability, and transparency.
Ability to work in a dynamic, political, and complex governance environment.
Fluency in Nepali and English, both written and verbal.
Proficiency in common office and analytical software.
Application Procedures: Interested candidates who meet the above requirements are requested to visit our website at http://apply.helvetasnepal.org and submit application through online portal. Detail job descriptions are available on the website.
Any telephone enquiries/and or attempts to apply undue influence will result disqualification of candidates. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the selection process. Helvetas Nepal reserves the right to reject any or all applications without assigning any reasons.
Helvetas Nepal promotes workforce diversity and applies positive discrimination to candidates from discriminated groups (Women, Dalit, Janajati, Madhesi/Terai, and other minority communities).
Deadline for submission of application: 23 June 2026
To apply for this job please visit apply.helvetasnepal.org.
