Invitation for Proposals

Preliminary research on financing structures to promote SMEs’ access to finance and business development services

Qualified and experienced consultant(s) are invited by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in Nepal to submit a proposal to conduct an in-depth research into potential financing and partnership structures and to recommend the most suitable set of models which will contribute to the development of a model that promotes SMEs’ access to finance and business development services.

Qualifications and Competencies of the International Consultant

This announcement is open to a consultant or a team of consultants (national and/or international). The consultant or the team of consultants overall shall have the following expertise and skills:

• Solid practical and academic background related to private sector development, including access to finance and blended finance initiatives, and business development support services;
• Solid understanding of Nepal’s development context, its financial system, and entrepreneurship ecosystem, including the regulations on directed/priority sector/concessional lending policies;
• Solid expertise and experience in the field of private sector and business development, ideally with some experience with public private partnership;
• A strong sensitivity and responsiveness to bringing forward and dealing with, gender and social inclusion, digital divide, inequality of opportunity faced by SMEs to finance growth, and kleptocratic political economy of private sector development in markets.
• Excellent analytical skills (quantitative and qualitative) and strong ability to communicate and summarize analyses in writing;
• Very strong writing skills in English;
• Good interpersonal skills and time management.

Submission Guidelines and Evaluation Criteria

Interested applicant(s) with relevant expertise and experience is/are requested to submit the following:

1. Updated CV(s) of the consultant(s);
2. A detailed budget, including all costs related to the assignment; and
3. A brief concept note (max. 10 pages) outlining the approach and methodology, as well as the proposed work plan/timetable for the assignment, suggestions for stakeholder meetings, and past experience(s) relevant to this assignment.

Applications are to be sent by email at kathmandu@eda.admin.ch  with “Partnership and Financing Structure Research” in the subject line. Only complete submissions will be taken into consideration and phone calls will not be entertained.

The deadline for submission is Wednesday, 17 March 2021 at 23h00 Nepal Standard Time (UTC +5:45).

The results from the selection process will be communicated within 10 working days from the submission deadline.

Click here for detailed Terms of Reference. (PDF, 550.9 kB, English)

Note: We would like to inform everyone applying that there was a technical error  in the date mentioned in our original vacancy announcement. The actual deadline for submission is  17th March, Wednesday opposed to 15th March.

Vacancy Announcement - Head Guard

Switzerland through its development cooperation has been engaged in Nepal since 1959. With the establishment of its Embassy in Nepal in August 2009, Switzerland’s assistance in Nepal continues to focus on implementation of constitution, employment and income through agriculture, rural infrastructure and vocational skills, as well as migration. Switzerland is committed to support Nepal’s socio-economic development and federal state building at national, provincial and local level. 

The Embassy of Switzerland offers a competitive salary and benefit package as well as a stimulating team and working environment. We are looking for a young, energetic Nepali national for 2 years fixed term contract with possibility of extension:

Head Guard

The Head Guard directly reports to the Security Manager and is responsible for ensuring overall security and vigilance within the Embassy premises for 24/7. He/she shall ensure strict adherence to the Embassy safety and security rules and regulations, develop duty schedules, issue instructions both oral and written to the guards, and maintain proper check/feedback on implementation of office instructions.

The post holder monitors and identifies safety and security lapses concerning entry, exit, movement of people and materials; brings these to the knowledge of his/her supervisor.  He/she shall monitor security check/rounds records, point out lapses in performance of the guards and ensures corrective measures in close coordination with his/her supervisor.

Required Expert Competence

Higher Secondary Education and above; formal guard training by accredited/recognized institution; excellent spoken and written English and Nepali; ability to work independently in a wide range of assignments/tasks; basic computer skills; excellent coordination skills

Required Methodical and Social competence

Time management and task prioritization; knowledge and experience of basic planning; communication skills and ability to network; strong customer orientation; able to respect confidentiality and professional integrity; ability to work in a multi-cultural team able to work and contribute positively in a team; aware and sensitive in areas of gender and social inclusion

Detailed Terms of Reference is available is available here - Terms of Reference (PDF, 331.6 kB, English)

Application in English with immediate contact address and a telephone number; an updated bio-data; copies of citizenship certificate and academic credentials; and reference from former employer(s) should reach at the latest by 17:00 hrs on 20 March 2021 through post or through email as attachment (please do not provide a link to google drive or any other cloud server) at kathmandu.application@eda.admin.ch please clearly mark “Application for Head Guard” respectively on the envelope / subject of the email.

Head

Personnel and Administration (Chancery)

P.O. Box 113

Kathmandu, Nepal

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  The Embassy reserves the right to reject any or all applications without assigning any reasons.

The Embassy of Switzerland in Nepal promotes workforce diversity and applies positive discrimination to candidates from discriminated groups (women and candidates from Dalit, Janajati, Madhesi/Terai, and other minority community).