Options Consultancy Services Limited is a leading global health consultancy established in 1992 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Marie Stopes International. We manage health programmes that ensure vulnerable women and children can access the high quality health services they need. We work with partners to co-create and implement locally informed solutions to complex health problems. This includes governments, development partners, NGOs, civil society and health workers. Our programming is flexible, evidence-based and politically informed. This means we adapt to changing contexts, use data to inform our decisions and ensure our approach is appropriate. Our focus is always on building local skills and systems that last.

Nepal Health Sector Support Programme (NHSSP) is a technical assistance programme to the Government of Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), funded with UK Aid, designed to support the goals of Nepal Health Sector Strategy (2015/16 - 2020/21) and contribute to the MoHP’s efforts to provide quality health services leaving no-one behind. It is implemented by a consortium led by Options Consultancy Limited, with HERD International and Oxford Policy Management.

The L&G Provincial Coordinator will provide technical assistance (TA) under the L&G thematic area. The aim of this post is to provide effective technical inputs to the Provincial Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) and Provincial Health Directorate (PHD) to enable them to deliver against the objectives of NHSP 3, especially improving policy performance at the sub-national level through better formulation and implementation of new and existing policies, at the Provincial and palika level. Under the leadership of the L&G Thematic Team Lead, the L&G Provincial Coordinator will develop the framework for providing technical support under this thematic area at sub-national levels and oversee its technical delivery to ensure thematic priorities are met.

The main purpose of this role is to support government counterparts to carry out their governance functions efficiently, effectively, equitably and in a responsive manner, ensuring systems and structures are appropriate in delivering high quality and accessible health services. They will support NHSSP’s “politically smart and adaptive programming” objectives by understanding MoSD/OHD organisational functions and relationships in the system and contributing to effectiveness of those related to health programming budgets and expenditure.

The L&G Provincial Coordinator has overall responsibility for providing strategic technical direction to this thematic area within the focal province and ensuring integration with the other thematic areas. They will also support MoSD policy, planning, budgeting and programmes to be evidence-based by proactively seeking opportunities to feed evidence and influence decisions. They will lead at the provincial level to inform, share robust evidence, build capacities of counterparts in MoSD and PHD (and other relevant sub-national government bodies as needed) to identify policy and programme needs at the sub-national level and respond to them through evidence-based and well-designed initiatives that leave no-one behind. In particular, they will have to plan, deliver the TA and collaborate on an ongoing basis with other spheres of governance (and NHSSP TA) to ensure coherence in planning and implementation across the spheres.

• Advanced degree in Public Health Policy / Public Health Management / Public Administration or a related field; or basic Degree in the subject area with substantial work experience in public health
• Significant and proven of experience (at least 7 years) in development and implementation of programmes within the health sector, governance and strengthening government health system in Nepal
• Strong technical knowledge of governance, accountability and transparency issues within health sector and familiarity with latest advancements in the field particularly with a view to improve health system performance.
• Knowledge of international best practice on health policy, planning, financing, budgeting and governance
• Knowledge of monitoring/critical analysis of planning and budgeting in health system
• Knowledge of the health PFM system in Nepal
• Knowledge of the public procurement in Nepal
• Experience on communicating evidence effectively to better planning, decision making, and accountability within government.
• Knowledge and experience of working closely with supporting / implementing health programmes with measurable outcomes (preferably large scale TA programmes)
• Deep understanding of the operations of the Government of Nepal, MoHP, MoSD and PHD and familiarity with all spheres of government.
• Strong leadership skills
• Self-starter, able to work independently or as part of a team
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Excellent planning and organising skills
• Ability to make and articulate clear decisions
• Strong internal and external communication and facilitation skills
• Ability to influence and lead teams to success
• Excellent negotiation abilities
• Commitment to equal opportunities
• A commitment to the programme’s and NHSSP principles of Safeguarding, Do No Harm, and to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights
• Applicants must have the right to live and to work in Nepal
• Ability to travel within Nepal as required
• Fluency in written and spoken English

• full time, 40 hours per week, fixed-term contract until 31 October 2022

• Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and post holders to share this commitment.
• We seek people who are pro-choice, energetic and enthusiastic about Options’ vision.
• UK Aid / NHSSP is an equal opportunities employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply, including under-represented groups, specifically women and people with disabilities.
• You must have the right to work in Nepal