Briefing Note –Internships

Briefing Note 016 – Internships

1. INTRODUCTION Clause 26 of the Invitation to Tender, Instructions RAP2.1 PO5837, Nepal, refers to the UK Government Skills and Apprenticeship Initiative and the UK government’s commitment to expand apprenticeships in the public sector, encouraging suppliers to provide training and apprenticeship opportunities in their workforce for DFID contracts where it is appropriate to do so. Sub-contractors engaged to deliver DFID contracts are also encouraged to promote public skills opportunity through public procurement in line with the Cabinet Office Joint Statement on Access to Skills, Trade Unions and Advice on Government Contracting. RAP3 has therefore decided to offer internships to newly qualified graduates in the fields of engineering and socio economic development (SED), initially to Nepalese graduates but later to include British graduates once their work permit position becomes clearer.

2. JOB DESCRIPTION AND TERMS OF THE INTERNSHIPS Starting in March 2014, RAP3 intends to provide four, 12 month internships, including two six week periods working in the field in RAP3 Core districts with RAP3 Districts teams and with Support/ Supervision consultants on Maintenance and construction of DRCN. They will also receive training in technical and process audit, M&E, RAP Integrated Database, PMV, Condition surveys, preparation of ARAMP, contract administration (procurement and project management), communication (website development and use), basics of initial environment examination (IEE), issues related to health and safety and presentation skills.

3. ABOUT RURAL ACCESS PROGRAMME (RAP3) RAP3 seeks to increase the economic opportunities available to the poorest and most vulnerable people in the remote districts in Nepal by providing employment for the poor through maintaining and upgrading existing roads, constructing new rural roads and economic infrastructure, introducing income generating activities and building institutional capacity required for sustainable development in the programme area. RAP3 works in 14 districts of Nepal- eight core districts and 6 non-core districts. The core districts are Humla, Jumla, Mugu, Kalikot, Bajura, Achham, Doti and Dailekh, and the non-core districts are Jhapa, Morang, Sankhuwasabha, Sindhupalchowk, Parbat and Dadeldhura. In the core districts, all RAP3 programme components i.e. local road construction, maintenance and improvement, socio-economic activities and capacity building and policy harmonisation will be implemented whereas in the non-core districts, the socio-economic activities will not be implemented. RAP3 works with the Government of Nepal both at the central and local level. At the central level, it works in close coordination with DOLIDAR/MOFALD and in the district with District Development Committee/District Technical Office (DDC/DTO). The present phase of RAP3 will come to an end on March 2017.

4. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR APPLICANTS Applicants must have passed Bachelor of Civil Engineering (B.E.) from a recognised college/university. They must possess good working knowledge of written and spoken English. No previous experience of working in road sector is necessary. However, candidates are expected to have a demonstrated level of ability to learn quickly, and have a grasp of the core concepts of rural development, road asset management, programme management, communication and reporting. Applicants must be literate in the use of basic Microsoft packages and familiar with the database system and spread sheet. S/he must be motivated to learn quickly other unfamiliar but necessary programme packages. The location of the work will be both the RAP districts and central office. The candidates must be ready to spend a significant amount of the contract period in the RAP districts. S/he is required to work with the RAP district team in the district in collaboration with the DDC/DTO, while at the central level, will work with different programme component.

06/02/2014 Page 1 of 2 5. APPLICATION PROCESS Eligible applicants should apply by 17:00hrs, Friday, 21 February, 2014 by following the process given below: 1. Submit an application letter in English and email to:[email protected]. 2. Together with the application letter, submit an essay, written in a high-quality English and no longer than 500 words, which clearly states: a. Your motivations for applying for the position (“Why I want to do this internship”) b. What do you expect out of this internship in terms of personal and professional development. c. Reasons for you to be a strong candidate for this internship. 3. Include your curriculum vitae listing your educational background and professional experience, if any. Please do not include your photograph with your application. Application received after 17:00 hrs Friday, 21 February 2014 will not be considered for this internship.

6. RECRUITMENT PROCESS A panel of three experts from RAP3 will shortlist the applications. Shortlisting will rank the applicants according to their their essay and cv. Only the shortlisted candidates will be invited for the final interview. The decision to shortlist the candidates lies solely with RAP3 and therefore cannot be challenged in any fashion. The successful candidates will be provided a week to accept the offer. If the candidate does not do so in writing entering into an agreement with the RAP3, then the candidate-in-waiting will be called for the position. The internship will be for a period of one year. However, due to the nature of RAP3 contractual obligations, the initial contract will cover the period up to September, 2014.