District Project Manager-Taplejung

Job Title: District Project Manager-TaplejungName of Project: Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Improvement Project Khotang, ASRH and Telehealth Project SolukhumbuProject Funded by: Australian Himalayan Foundation (AHF) and Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)Department: ProgramSalary: Competitive PackageJob Place: TaplejungProject Area: Kepilashgadi and Aaiselukharka Rural Municipalities of Khotang District and Soludhudhkunda Municipality, Thulung Dudhkoshi RM, Sotang RM, Mapya Dudhkoshi RM, Mahakulung RM of Solukhumbu districtType of Job: Full-timeReports to: Program Manager, AFNAction for NepalAFN is a high performing, community-centric organization building healthy, educated communities in Nepal through effective projects, sound strategies, efficient processes and successful partnerships. AFN is committed to respecting, protecting and promoting internationally recognized human rights including civil and political, economic, social and cultural rights, with particular emphasis on gender equality, the protection of children, people with a disability and the rights of minorities and vulnerable and marginalized groups.Position Overview:The Project Manager will provide overall leadership, technical oversight, and strategic direction forAction for Nepal health projects implemented in Khotang and Solukhumbu districts. This includes the Khotang RMNCAH Project: Strengthening Inclusive Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Healthcare Project in Kepilasgadi and Aiselukharka Rural Municipalities of Khotang District; the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) Project in Thulung Dudhkoshi and Sotang Rural Municipalities; and the Telehealth Project in Solududhkunda Municipality, Thulung Dudhkoshi Rural Municipality, Sotang Rural Municipality, Mapya Dudhkoshi Rural Municipality, and Mahakulung Rural Municipality of Solukhumbu District. The Project Manager will be responsible for ensuring the efficient and effective implementation of all project activities in accordance with the approved project designs, work plans, budgets, and timelines. S/he will lead and supervise the project team, ensure high technical quality and program performance, strengthen coordination and partnerships with local governments and other key stakeholders, represent Action for Nepal (AFN) at district and municipal levels, and ensure the successful achievement of project objectives aimed at improving equitable Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) outcomes, including adolescent sexual and reproductive health services, through strengthened health systems and innovative service delivery approaches such as telehealth.Duties and Responsibilities:A. Project Planning and ImplementationLead the development of annual and quarterly implementation plans, ensuring alignment with the project's Theory of Change, logical framework and approved budget.Oversee the day-to-day management of the project, ensuring that activities are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget, in accordance with AFN and donor (AHF/DFAT) requirements.Coordinate and guide the work of Health/Project Officers, the MEAL Associate, and Social Mobilizers, ensuring clear roles, responsibilities, and effective teamwork.Ensure the integration of key cross-cutting themes across all activities, including Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH), and Child Safeguarding.B. Technical Oversight and Quality AssuranceProvide technical leadership and guidance on all RMNCAH, ASRH and Telehealth projects, including maternal and child health, family planning, adolescent health, nutrition, mental health, telemedicine and laboratory service interventionsEnsure that capacity-building activities for health workers, FCHVs, and HFOMCs are of high quality and based on identified gaps from the Minimum Service Standards (MSS) assessments.Work closely with the Project teams and the local government teams to strengthen the health system at the municipal and facility levels, focusing on service readiness, referral systems, and data use.Ensure the establishment and effective functioning of governance structures like HFOMCs, Adolescent Health Coordination Committees (AHCCs), and Safeguarding CommitteesC. Stakeholder Engagement/managementServe as the primary liaison between AFN, provincial governments, local governments, schools, health facilities, and community groups.Coordinate closely with; Health Office, Rural Municipalities, HFOMCs, AHCCs Establish communication, linkage and networking with different stakeholders, partners and local governmentHelp build positive relation with all the stakeholders in the district and communityEnsure that all program partners and stakeholders are kept regularly informed about the progress of the project activitiesSupport formation and functioning of AHCCs and safeguarding committeesMaintain proper and regular coordination with key project stakeholders of Action for Nepal like District Coordination Committee, Health Office, Education Development andCoordination Unit, Rural Municipalities, Health Posts, HFOMCs and FCHVs.Facilitate coordination meetings with health office, municipal office, ward office, health facilities, HFOMCs, and AHCCs.Collaborate with other partners at district and local level to avoid duplication and enhance synergies.Engage with district and local level government officials, expand networks, and participate in meetings with government and non-government organizations relevant to the project’s scope.C. Capacity StrengtheningAssess, plan, facilitate, and oversee training for municipal officials on RMNCAH and telehealth planning and budgeting, as well as capacity-building of HFOMCs and governance strengthening.Plan and coordinate training for health workers on RMNCAH services.Ensure the integration of GEDSI, PSEAH, and child safeguarding across all training and program activities, while strengthening participants’ understanding of these areas.D. Documentation, Monitoring and Evaluation (DM&E)Oversee the project's MEAL system in coordination with the MEAL Associate, ensuring compliance with the project's logical framework and donor reporting requirements.Ensure timely and accurate collection, analysis, and reporting of data against all project indicators, including data disaggregated by sex, age, ethnicity, and disability status.Lead quarterly data review meetings with the project team and stakeholders to assess performance, identify gaps, and adapt strategies for continuous quality improvement.Ensure thorough documentation of project progress, success stories, and lessons learned to promote organizational and sectoral learning.Ensure quality assurance of the project activities in the district in terms of logistic management, content, delivery of the activities and documentationProper documentation of all the relevant references and materialsIdentification of new projects, conducting need assessment, monitoring and evaluation, due diligence and community sensitization meetingsE. Safeguarding, Risk management and InclusionEnsure all project activities comply with the organization’s safeguarding and inclusion policies, including Child Safeguarding, PSEAH, and GEDSI standards.Promote the participation of marginalized groups (e.g., girls, persons with disabilities, Dalits) in project activities.Contribute to assessing, mitigating and reporting on risks, including risks of child abuse and exploitation and sexual abuse and exploitation, in the project areaSupport the development and implementation of effective incident reporting mechanisms both within the health centers and in the community.Ensure immediate reporting to AFN of any incident of abuse and exploitation.Follow directives of AFN for follow up required regarding incidents, including reporting to concerned authorities;Ensure safety of survivor, confidentiality and survivor centered approach.Contribute to raise awareness and practice of GEDSI, Child Safeguarding and PSEAH with all health stakeholders.F. Financial and Administrative ManagementOversee the project budget, ensuring financial accountability, compliance with AFN and AHF policies, and efficient use of resources.Authorize and monitor all project expenditures, ensuring they are in line with the approved budget and work plan.Supervise the Finance Associate in managing cash flow, preparing financial reports, and supporting internal/external audits.Identify, assess, and manage project risks, maintaining and updating the project's risk matrix as a live document.F. Advocacy and SustainabilityAdvocate with local governments to integrate RMNCAH and telehealth into municipal plans and budgets.Support AHCCs in developing and implementing local ASRH action plans.Develop, communicate, and implement strategies and an exit plan to ensure the project’s sustainability beyond its implementation period.Required Qualifications and ExperienceMaster’s degree in Public Health, Nursing, or related fieldMinimum of 4–5 years of progressively responsible professional experience after completion of aMaster's degree in the implementation and management of RMNCAH, telemedicine/telehealth, or public health programmesProven experience in leading and supervising a diverse team of professionals.Demonstrated experience in project planning, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting.In-depth knowledge of Nepal's health system and national RMNCAH, digital health policies and strategies is highly desirable.Experience working with I/NGOs and donor-funded projects is essential.Strong knowledge of: MSS, HMIS, LMIS/PAMS, RMNCAH and digital health programmingRequired SkillsStrong leadership, strategic thinking, and decision-making skills.Excellent communication, negotiation, and representation skills in both Nepali and English.Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with government authorities at the local and provincial levels.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to manage complex project challenges.Excellent report writing and documentation skills.Proficiency in MS Office package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).Must be willing to travel extensively (at least 50%) to remote field locations within Khotang and Solukhumbu district.A personal commitment to social equity, gender equality, disability inclusion, and child safeguardingWork Conditions:Extended working hours and overtime may be required.Travel may be necessary for meetings and site visits.Inclusive Policy: AF Nepal encourages applications from women, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and marginalized communities.