Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, experience-based segment and the behaviours and technical/ professional skills-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

About FCDO:

How we approach our work is important. The How We Work Statement (below) sets out the ambition we share across the FCDO for how we lead and behave towards each other, how we make decisions, and how we get the job done. Some aspects may be particularly relevant to this role. 

• We put respect and kindness first. We are inclusive, we get to know each other, and value our diversity and the contribution we each bring. We are fair, act with integrity, and tackle inequality and unacceptable behaviour. We work together and take responsibility to solve problems.
• We draw on the expertise, insight, and diverse perspectives of people across the FCDO, HMG, and beyond. We use the best available data and evidence. We are open to challenge and take a sustainable, long-term approach. We are transparent about the rationale for decisions and smart about taking and managing risks.
• We are agile and alert to emerging opportunities. We encourage learning, innovation, and use of data and digital. We are all clear on what we are expected to deliver and support each other in doing so. We look to reduce duplication and unnecessary process. We are committed to transforming both the FCDO and the way HMG delivers international policy.

Description of the Embassy and Team:

The British Embassy Kathmandu (BEK) leads the UK’s relationship with Nepal including diplomatic engagement, defence co-operation, development support, and trade.
The BEK Country Plan has five campaign goals for 2023-2025: 

• The UK will support a more open and democratic society in Nepal resulting in more representative, inclusive and effective governance at all three levels of government.
• Our recruitment of Gurkhas to the British Army will strengthen UK security, and our support to capable security and rule of law institutions that protect the rights of all people will strengthen Nepal’s stability.
• The UK’s partnership will support Nepal’s transition to sustainable lower-middle income country (LMIC) status through facilitating inclusive and greener growth, increased investment and more open trade that provides opportunities for UK firms.
• Through UK influence and support, Nepal will implement the ambitious climate targets adopted at COP26 that will reduce emissions, build resilience, and put Nepal on a path to a green recovery.
• The UK promotes girls’ education and the rights of women and girls in Nepal.

Work in these five areas is underpinned by cross-cutting outcomes on federalism, inclusion, and data and strategic learning. Nepal is a key country in the Indo-Pacific Tilt, and BEK’s work is being prioritised as part of this agenda. You will become part of a collegial Embassy team, and be responsible for a rewarding, engaging and transformational portfolio of work.
 
The Green Growth Group – within which this post-holder will sit – includes our economics and private sector ODA portfolio, the UK-Nepal British trade, investment and prosperity work and the UK’s engagement on climate and resilience.  The Infrastructure Advisor will be line managed by the Economic Development Team Leader.

The Advisor will further coordinate and work closely with the Governance Team that is part of the Governance and Social Development Group, the Evidence and Knowledge Team and the Politics and Partnerships Team. This position will establish and maintain relationships for technical guidance and support with the FCDO governance cadre, and relevant teams and staff from FCDO’s UK headquarters.

Main Purpose of Job:

This is an excellent job for an experienced infrastructure advisor looking to work on high profile issues that can have national scale impact in the long term. The post-holder will lead BEK’s national infrastructure work and manage BEK’s relationship with the Investment Board.

• Leading the infrastructure work in the Green Growth Nepal (GGN) Programme. This £38m programme will facilitate investment in high quality infrastructure. This role will be instrumental in managing the relationships between BEK, the Investment Board Nepal and other parts of government. (70%)
• Leading our BIP strategy and building partnerships with BIP institutions. (10%)
• Support cross embassy work on infrastructure as required, for example, provide expert advice to guide BEK urban infrastructure work, energy etc (10%)
• Corporate objectives including learning and development (10%)

He/she will lead BEK’s engagement and support to the Office of the Investment Board of Nepal which involves managing a large technical advisory team with expertise in foreign investment facilitation, with a focus on Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). They will work closely with the economic policy function of the programme to bring together the programme’s work on easing constraints for international investors and improving the investment climate. 

The post-holder will work to establish BIP engagement in Nepal particularly with the Investment Board, to leverage UK expertise and advance national scale projects. The post-holder will work closely with governance and other colleagues on local infrastructure provision and the links between climate resilient infrastructure development in rural and urban municipalities.

He/she will need to build networks with provincial and local governments, and donor leads as needed, to ensure the BEK portfolio is operating effectively. As energy is a vital sector in Nepal, experience and knowledge of the energy sector is very important for the role. 

We reserve the right to review, revise or amend the roles and responsibilities from time to time reflecting the changing needs of business.

Key Roles & Responsibilities:

In this role you will be responsible for:

• Leading BEK’s engagement and support to the Office of the Investment Board of Nepal (the Board is chaired by the Prime Minister), which involves managing a large technical advisory team. This requires a good understanding of foreign investment into infrastructure projects, as well as how PPPs are structured, implemented, monitored, and reported on. This includes support to the Senior Responsible Officer of the programme to manage the contract with the Supplier.
• Supporting BEK’s energy work: including via the Investment Board, energy trade work and our renewable energy programme. This will include oversight of energy work that is done by the embassy in Nepal.
• Leading FCDO’s British Investment Partnership (BIP) strategy, workplan and engagement at post relating to infrastructure.
• Supporting BEK’s work on urban development, working with provincial and local governments. This includes providing advice to our urban advisor working on the GGN programme.
• Providing thought leadership on infrastructure development in Nepal, within BEK and externally, incorporating global and national research, evidence, and learning.
• Coherence between the Green Growth Nepal programme team and the infrastructure work of the rest of the BEK portfolio.

Language Requirements: 
This role will require fluency in Nepali and a strong command of written and spoken English.

• Language: Nepali and English
• Level of language required: Fluent

Learning & Development Opportunities:
A comprehensive L+D offer is available to all FCDO staff and in this role, will include specific opportunities for technical training through the FCDO Governance Cadre.

Working Patterns:
This is a full-time role. 

Other Information:
This role is open on promotion. 
Please review the Infrastructure and Urban: Technical Competency Framework – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) for answering the Behavioural, Technical/Professional Questions.
All applicants are advised to use the STAR method to describe your example (for guidance see amongst others here: A brief guide to competencies – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Essential on Arrival:

Demonstration of expertise and working experience on infrastructure policy and projects. A strong demonstration of the application of the Infrastructure Cadre technical competencies at expert level, including: 

• Infrastructure, governance, policy, financing, and project development
• Urban development, spatial planning, integrated services
• Energy and infrastructure for low-carbon development, climate change and resilience.

About You:

We are looking for someone with:

• Over 7 years’ experience of working on infrastructure programmes in a developing country, including energy and urban development and climate and disaster resilience.
• High level education relevant to the role (e.g. master’s degree or equivalent level relating to infrastructure development in developing countries).
• Experience of working with government institutions and private sector partners to deliver infrastructure projects and relevant investment climate reforms.
• Experience of the infrastructure project cycle – especially project selection, design, approval, and monitoring – and knowledge to provide technical advice to government counterparts.
• Knowledge of different options for infrastructure finance, and the challenges & opportunities each brings.
• A very good understanding and appreciation of the political economy and regional nature of the relevant sectors and interventions.
• Strong organisational, communication and management skills.
• Enthusiasm, good teamwork, and flexibility.