NEPAL aspires to graduate from the least developing country to a lower middle-income country by 2026. However, the development community’s excessive focus today on socio-political empowerment has not yielded the desired economic transformation.  In reaching the 2026 national target, shall we wait for institutions of power to become accountably productive or shall we bolster innovations of people to bring inclusive prosperity?  And, shall we strengthen grassroots-government collaboration in shaping an equal and enterprising future? 

DAAYITWA ABHIYAAN strives for an enterprising Nepal where every individual has opportunities for a prosperous future. Focused on promoting economic empowerment, we aim to nurture an enterprising mindset - which is about working hard, taking risks, and being creative - in development change agents. Driven by principles of economic justice, community engagement and financial sustainability, the Abhiyaan comprises four organizations.

• Governance Lab - a think and do tank that creates an ecosystem for evidence based policy making in Nepal by fostering innovative collaboration between researchers and decision-makers.

• Daayitwa - an NGO that promotes domestic youth employment by accelerating rural youth entrepreneurs to create jobs and supporting the government to implement evidence-based enterprise development policies.

• Nepal Leadership Academy - a non-profit company that develops an enterprising mindset in change agents by growing their leadership and management capabilities.

• Nepal Rising - a US-based non-profit that engages and empowers Nepali diaspora in the US as change agents and strengthens local and global collaboration to promote socio-economic development in Nepal.

Governance Lab Pvt. Ltd. (GovLab) at Daayitwa Abhiyaan brings together policy-making researchers, leaders and entrepreneurs to exchange ideas and advocate for evidence-based policymaking to achieve sustainable development in Nepal. 

GovLab has conducted policy research that aligns with government priorities in areas of youth employment, women’s economic empowerment, access to investment, entrepreneurship ecosystem, and governance reform. Some of our highlighted research work include ‘Insights from Nepal on UN High-Level Panel’s 7 Drivers of Change for Women’s Economic Empowerment’ (in partnership with Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens) and ‘Evaluation of Microenterprise Graduation in Lumbini and Madhesh Provinces’ (in partnership with Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies).

The Governance Coordinator will provide strategic and technical governance support across projects at GovLab. This role involves engaging with stakeholders, with a particular focus on provincial and local government across various provinces in Nepal.

• Oversee the research projects, regional policy fellowship programs, regional symposiums and events, leadership courses offered by Governance Lab, and other projects with key focus on  results-oriented implementation and their impact analysis.

• Manage capacity development initiatives for various policy stakeholders, including public officials and representatives at municipal, provincial and federal governments 

• Engage and fortify relationships with key community partners, including civil society organizations, journalists and private companies, to ensure effective collaboration 

• Manage relationships with other team members appointed at provinces and collaborate with them for project implementation and logistics.

• Plan and organize regular outreach activities at local, provincial and federal levels to strengthen GovLab’s  relationships. 

• Write proposals, prepare project implementation reports, lead monitoring and evaluation of projects undertaken at federal and provincial levels. 

• Manage all assigned administrative requirements of the project portfolio, including financial management, budgeting, procurement, contract set-up and compliance, grant reporting, deliverable tracking, etc.

• Contribute to GovLab’s strategic vision by identifying sources of potential partnerships at local/ provincial level for the expansion of our governance portfolio

We are looking for people-loving, growth-oriented, impact-minded, dynamic team player with the following qualifications:

• Academically compelling with a Master’s degree in social science, management or other related field with an experience of at least three years in providing governance support to projects. 

• Contextually aware with understanding of Nepal’s social, economic, and political issues, including federal and local government structures, and bureaucratic system

• Be innovative and take initiative in implementing projects and be vigilant of current affairs in Nepal’s socio-economic framework.

• Reliably independent in tackling complex problems consistently applying creativity, independent judgment and detail orientation.

• Adept at handling multiple tasks, stakeholders, and team members at a time within deadlines. 

• Self-motivated and able to work with minimal oversight with time management skills.

• Able to work effectively under pressure in a diverse and uncertain environment.

• Excellent oral and written communications skills, both in Nepali and English language.

• Passionate about understanding Nepal’s policy landscape and be willing to travel to provinces  driven by a strong inner calling for economic empowerment of Nepal.

• Passionate about leading a team of researchers and coordinators, and guiding them in the same direction as Daayitwa Abhiyaan.

Compensation: Governance Lab will provide compensation on a monthly rate basis. The rate will be mutually agreed upon, commensurate with the level of the required deliverables, the qualifications and experience of the candidate. 

If you're keen on this position, kindly complete the form below. To access the page, please click on the provided link and right-click to go to the link.

https://forms.gle/6kbxU4EDBTcAGVSX7

In the subject line, put “Job Title followed by your first and last name" (e.g., “XXX – Sabina Nepali ) and attach the following documents. All documents must be compiled in a single file, in the same order and saved in PDF format:

• Cover letter (one page max)

• CV 

• Academic transcripts/certificate for most recent qualification

Deadline:  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Governance Lab is committed to promoting workforce diversity and actively encourages applications from individuals belonging to marginalized and discriminated groups, including women, Dalit, Janajati, Madhesi/Terai, and other minority communities. The organization values inclusive representation and strives to create a diverse and equitable working environment.

**Only shortlisted candidates will be notified**