Team Leader

KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Team Leader
Sector: Nepal Samartha (“Empowered”): Enhancing Gender and Human Development Outcomes through Systems Strengthening
Position Type (full/part time): Full Time (five years)
Duration/Level of Effort (long/short term): Long term (5 years)
Position Location (e.g. city, country, remote): Kathmandu, Nepal

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
Adapting to Nepal’s federal structure established by the 2015 Constitution, the Samartha (“Empowered”) - Enhancing Gender & Human Development Outcomes through Systems Strengthening – programme aims to enhance the capacity of provincial and local governments (LGs) to fulfil their new constitutional mandates. With a focus on expanding access to quality social services for women, girls, and excluded groups such as Dalits and other minorities, Samartha is complemented by federal-level support to ensure national sectoral policies and resource allocations are responsive to local needs, promoting resilient social systems that improve health, education, and gender outcomes.
Nepal faces significant governance challenges impacting social sectors, with slow integration of federal structures hindering effective service delivery in health and education. Inefficient resource allocation, low domestic financing, and poor budget execution at both federal and local levels lead to disparities in service quality and access. Additionally, Nepal’s vulnerability to natural hazards and climate change further strains its fragile social systems, complicating healthcare and education resilience. Samartha addresses these issues through three main workstreams:
 

1. Core Governance Capability for Social Sectors: support ‘supply-side’ reform by strengthening the capabilities of all tiers of government (especially LGs) to budget, plan for, resource and effectively deliver social services.
2. Inclusive Quality Services: provide technical support to Government (especially at subnational level) for the expansion of quality services, focussing on mainstreaming gender, equity and social inclusion (GESI).
3. Social Sectors’ Resilience: promote integration and collaboration between federal and subnational governments, institutions and stakeholders, with the objective of enhancing capacity for resilient, shock-responsive social sectors and ensure anticipatory actions and continuity of service delivery in the event of crises.

 
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
Cowater International is seeking a Team Leader to lead Samartha (Component 1 – Technical Assistance[1]), with primary responsibility for the technical design, oversight, and quality assurance of all interventions and deliverables. The Team Leader will oversee the entire team, ensuring cohesive and effective performance. This role requires leading stakeholder engagement and serving as a senior technical expert in a related field.
[1] FCDO envisions the programme to be implemented through four individual components. This contract will be limited to Component 1 – Technical Assistance. Other components are outside of the scope of Cowater’s proposal and this contract.
The ideal candidate must demonstrate internationally competitive senior expertise in leadership, strategy development, and compelling experience in the delivery of (preferably donor-funded) programmes in Public Financial Management, Local Governance, Systems Strengthening and Social Service Delivery. They should possess substantial knowledge and experience in Nepal, along with exceptional communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and a proven track record of delivering strong results.
Please note that this position is contingent upon the successful award of this programme to Cowater International. If awarded, the programme is expected to commence in Quarter 4 of 2024.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical Delivery

• Set, lead and oversee the technical vision for Sarmatha, overseeing all activities and deliverables across three workstreams (see ‘Summary of Project’).
• Work closely with FCDO, the Government of Nepal, and the Samartha Senior Management Team to develop and deliver an effective workplan that will allow Samartha to deliver it’s intended outcomes.
• Ensure high-quality, timely delivery of Samartha’s workplan, making strategic decisions and adaptations where necessary.
• Lead the day-to-day technical delivery of Samartha, overseeing all activities and deliverables across three workstreams (see ‘Summary of Project’).

 
Programme Leadership

• Manage a large, diverse team of staff inclusively and effectively.
• Maintain high-level strategic and managerial oversight of complex projects, ensuring that the right people, resources, and processes are in place for efficient and effective delivery.
• Monitor and respond to risks that may impact delivery of activities or achievement of outcomes
• Provide effective oversight of monitoring and evaluation, including monitoring the achievement of the programme log-frame
• Make difficult management decisions to maximise Samartha’s impact, including moving or replacing staff and closing underperforming activities and grants, as necessary.
• Understand and interpret the FCDO's and UK Government's latest political and policy requirements, working with FCDO staff to ensure Samartha achieves its objectives.

 
Relationship management

• Develop robust relationships with stakeholders from the Government of Nepal across all three tiers of government.
• Build strong partnerships with consortium partners, institutions, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders.
• Establish a solid rapport and lead engagements with the client, FCDO.
• Represent Samartha at meetings, conferences, and workshops as required..

 
KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in public finance, economics, public health administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 15 years of senior expertise in leadership, strategy development, and delivery of successful programmes.
• Extensive experience in Nepal with a strong understanding of Nepalese federal structures and responsibilities across tiers of government.
• Ability to think and work politically, coaching teams to identify how political, group, and individual incentives drive or block change, and forming effective, professional partnerships with key stakeholders.
• Programmatic experience in public finance management (PFM), local governance, planning, public service delivery, education and public health, access/inclusion in social service delivery, crisis responsiveness, and GEDSI.
• Excellent stakeholder relationship building and management skills, including with government (across tiers), institutions, civil society organisations, programme partners, and donors.
• Independence and objectivity, with proven ability to engage government at federal, provincial, and local levels.
• Extensive experience leading cross-sectoral, multi-functional teams to deliver complex donor-funded programmes, ideally in a Team Leader position. Previously held positions as Team Leader in FCDO-funded projects will be a significant advantage.
• Previous leadership in delivering institutional strengthening to government, particularly decentralised government, is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to directly oversee technical delivery and supervise/mentor as needed.
• Strong organisation and planning skills, with the ability to comprehend and engage with multiple functions, including programme management support.
• Excellent written and communication skills in English and Nepali.
• Must be able to be based in Kathmandu, Nepal.

 
APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. At this stage we are requesting interested candidates send a formatted CV only.
For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as follows: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.
Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.
We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.
ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.
We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.