Nepal adopted a new Constitution in September 2015, with the intent of transforming the then unitary and centralised system of governance into a federal and decentralised one as a vehicle to ensure equality, equity, and social justice. Nepal’s federal system is characterised by three levels of government (federal, provincial, and local) with non-hierarchical relationships within the levels of government. The Constitution stipulates that the three levels shall be the main structures of the Federal, Democratic and Republican Nepal and all levels shall exercise the power of state of Nepal pursuant to the Constitution and law. The powers of the three levels of government are enshrined in five Schedules of the constitution in the form of exclusive and concurrent powers. The federal system of governance became fully functional in February 2018 after all seven province governments were formed following the general election in November 2017.

With an objective to support on the implementation of federalism in Nepal, the Government of Nepal introduced a flagship programme of Provincial and Local Governance Support Programme (2019-2024). Following an initial period of delivery and agreement by GoN, Provinces, stakeholders, and Development Partners that Provincial and Local Governance Support Programme remained necessary and relevant, a decision was taken to extend Provincial and Local Governance Support Programme, with changes necessary to make the programme more effective, efficient, and responsive to the needs of Provincial Local Governments (PLG).

The Provincial and Local Governance Strengthening Programme (PLGSP) 2024-2029 is the national framework programme of the Government of Nepal (GoN) to build institutional, organizational, and individual capacity at all levels of government, with special focus on the provincial and local levels. It aims to attain functional, sustainable, inclusive, and accountable provincial and local governance. Following an initial period of delivery (2019-2023), and agreed by the GoN, Provinces, Development Partners, and other stakeholders, PLGSP will continue for the next five years, with necessary changes to make the programme more effective, efficient, and responsive to the emerging needs of PLGs in advancing federalism in Nepal.

An extensive stakeholder engagement, consultations and re-programming process was undertaken between July 2023 and June 2024 that resulting in a substantial revision in the PLGSP Programme Document (ProDoc). This reprogrammed ProDoc outlines how re-programmed PLGSP emphasizes building the capacity and capability of PLGs’ to deliver on the institutional and individual capacities for advancing federalism in Nepal over the next 5 years. The ProDoc has focused on three outcomes for Federal, Provincial and LG level impacts, each with three related outputs. Three outcomes include:  Outcome 1: Federal level government institutions and inter-governmental mechanisms are fully functional in support of federal governance as per the Constitution; Outcome 2: Provincial governments have efficient, effective, inclusive, and accountable institutions and organizations; Outcome 3: Local governments have capacity for Good Governance and for delivering inclusive basic services to all people. Furthermore, there are 9 outputs against the outcome mentioned. Four cross-cutting thematic streams: (i) Inclusive federalism acts, regulations, policies, and strategies; (ii) Collaboration within and across federal institutions and governments, and civic engagement; (iii) Supportive systems and tools for PLG inclusive federalism capacity; (iv) capacity development and transformation (applied to all 3 levels) have also been defined and articulated well.   The programme considers the broad principles and approaches including focus on federal devolution, transparency, and accountability, embedding transformative gender and diversity/inclusion agenda, human rights based and participatory approach, devolved, contextual and flexible programme design and implementation and adaptive programming. Further, unpacking structural barriers in political institutions, promoting ownership and trust in provincial and local government system and changing power dynamics in government institutions addressing intersectionality are the expected pathways for Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) transformation in the programme. Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA) is the executing agency of the GoN for PLGSP in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers Provincial and Local Governments.

UNDP as the partner of PLGSP and Technical Assistance (TA) provider, has been working with the MoFAGA on the implementation of PLGSP since its inception. The TA component of the programme has also been revised accordingly to facilitate the transformation in the behaviours of the authorities towards federalism for inclusive service delivery, it is fully aligned with revised PLGSP incorporating learnings from the earlier TA engagement. The intent of the revised TA is to leverage UNDP’s technical expertise and facilitation role to support positive transformations that enable implementation of federalism in Nepal, ultimately contributing to more inclusive and effective delivery of inclusive services by PLGs to their people especially for the most marginalized and women.

To this effect, TA will support PLGs for their institutional and organizational capacities. The TA support to federal government will help develop and implement necessary laws and policies to strengthen inter-governmental relationships thereby supporting cooperative federalism. To attain the sustainable achievement described above, TA has been categorized into Implementation Support TA (ISTA) and Transformational TA. ISTA focuses more on supporting the governments in the implementation of PLGs thereby building their institutional and individual capacities. Whereas Transformational TA focuses more on supporting behavioural transformation through research and analysis as well as providing high level expertise as needed. Overall, the TA staff (ISTA and Transformational TA) works together in close coordination with each other in overall guidance of respective government and UNDP Country Office.

Summary

The incumbent will be responsible to safely drive the UNDP vehicle and make sure the day-to-day maintenance of the assigned vehicle. S/he will also ensure the administrative support and logistics management of office and events.

Scope of Work

1. Perform Operation and Maintenance of Vehicle:

• Ensures compliance to rules and provision of reliable and safe driving services by:
• Driving programme vehicles for the transport for programme personnel and visitors and delivery and collection of mail, documents and other items.
• Meeting official personnel and visitors at the airport including visa and customs formalities arrangement when required.
• Ensures cost efficiency, cost-savings through proper use of vehicle through accurate maintenance of daily vehicle logs, provision of inputs to preparation of the vehicle maintenance plans and reports.
• Ensures proper day-to-day maintenance of the assigned vehicle through timely minor repairs, arrangements for major repairs, timely changes of oil, check of tires, brakes, car washing, etc.
• Ensures availability of all the required documents/supplies including vehicle insurance, vehicle logs, office directory, map of the city/country, first aid kit, and necessary spare parts in the assigned vehicle.
• Ensures that all immediate actions required by rules and regulations are taken in case of involvement in accidents.
• Ensure that vehicle logbooks are systematically maintained, vehicles are in proper condition.

2. Logistics management support function:

• Supports the programme for any logistics management of office and events.
• Delivery and collection of mail, documents, and other items as per the need of the office.
• Travel to field locations with project staff.
• Receiving official personnel and visitors at the airport
• Support in the visa and customs formalities when required.
•  Provide administrative and logistical support services as required e.g., photocopying, scanning, messenger services, loading/unloading vehicles, setting up workshops, etc.

3. Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI):  

• Ensures sensitivity towards Gender and Social Inclusion issues.
• Create a safe working environment by developing respectful and safe organizational culture and supporting practices.
• Comply with the provisions of various policies including Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), GESI, promotion of inclusion and diversity in the workplace.
• Fully accept and value all people, creating an inclusive environment
• Understand that inclusion is multi-faceted (e.g. race, gender, age, disability, culture, etc.) and appreciate issues from the perspective of others.
• Collaborates with team members, programme partners, and sub-grantees to ensure safe implementation of programmes at the community level applying Do No Harm approach.

4. Other:

• Strictly Comply with the policies, strategies, code of conduct, guidelines on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).
• Strict compliance with the UNDP applicable rules, regulations and policies related to ethics and integrity.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the programme.

Institutional Arrangement

Under the overall guidance of the National Programme Manager, Driver will report to and work under the Administrative and Logistic Analyst and provide driving and logistic support to deliver the planned activities of the programme.
Competencies

Core

• Achieve Results:    
  LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively:    
  LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously:    
  LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility:    
  LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination:     
  LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner:    
  LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion:    
  LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical 

• Business Direction and Strategy
  Effective Decision Making
  Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources
• Business Management:
  Risk Management
  Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
  Communication
  Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
• Technical Competencies:
  UN policy knowledge-ethics 
  Knowledge and understanding of the UN Staff Regulations and Rules and other policies relating to ethics and integrity
  Safety Management (including Air, Road, Fire)
  Knowledge of air, road, and fire safety programmes/systems and ability to assess risks and identify mitigation measures
• 2030 Agenda: People:
  Gender
  Gender Mainstreaming
• 2030 Agenda: Peace
  Governance 
  Inclusion and Participation

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Completion of School Leaving Certificate (SLC) or Secondary Education Examination (SEE)

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years’ work experience as a Driver
• Additional experience in the above area will be an added advantage
• Valid Driving License is required
• Safe driving record is required

Required skills:

• Knowledge of driving rules and regulations and skills in minor vehicle repair and mechanics.
• Ability to maintain and manage vehicle log-books efficiently.
• Experience of providing logistic support during events.
• Gender and Social Inclusion sensitivity.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Work experience in the United Nations, international NGOs or diplomatic missions is preferred.
• Basic computer literacy will be an added advantage

Required Language(s):

• Knowledge of English and Nepali language is required.
• Knowledge of any national language will be an added advantage

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