The Programme Coordination Office is the main representation of Helvetas in Nepal. It has the following main functions:

-          Management of the overall programme

-          Planning and regular monitoring of all projects

-          Budget and finance management and oversight

-          Linkage with partners and fund contributors

-          Facilitation of thematic initiatives among projects 

Apart from the above management tasks, the following activities are coordinated through the Coordination Office:

Programmatic approach at local level: Development and testing of an approach for enhanced, cross-sector coordination of development works at village and district level (VDC-profiles, local need and opportunity assessments, disaggregated data on population composition, etc.). The tool of CPPME (Coherent Participatory Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation ) was piloted in 2005 and is under wider implementation in 2006. 

Learning Through Monitoring (LTM): All Helvetas Nepal projects prepare their logical planning and monitoring frameworks based on the LTM approach. Since 2006, the LTM-approach has been refined by integrating the livelihood and social inclusion monitoring system into the LTM. This implies outcome and process indicators for social inclusion in all projects.

Coordination of Vector Groups: Transversal themes are addressed through vector groups with the representation of staff from all projects. These groups analyze common learning across projects and develop common guidelines (e.g. on poverty orientation, gender equity, governance…).

Human rights: The defense of human rights and empowerment of people to raise their voice and argue their interest are part of the working principles of Helvetas. Helvetas Nepal supports various national and local human rights initiatives and organizations to advocate for human rights and to represent the voice and interest of socially disadvantaged people. A rights-based approach is also integrated into its project work, e.g. the negotiation of water rights under its WARM-project.

Handicraft: Various traditional Nepalese goods (e.g. Nepali paper, traditional textiles) are sold in Switzerland through the Helvetas Fair-trade shop. The quantities are small and provide an entry point and a promotional opportunity for Nepalese products rather than a bulk market.

Human Resources

More than 200 staff work with Helvetas Nepal, more than 98% of them are Nepalese including all senior management positions. The experience, dedication and development vision of staff working with Helvetas Nepal are the basis of the organization’s recognition in Nepal. Helvetas Nepal will maintain its effort to be a caring organization which is aware of and supportive to human resource development.

Although Helvetas Nepal has one of the highest proportions of dalit and janati staff among its employees (based on a comparison among international agencies), it has failed to bring a proportionate number of dalit; janjati and women into senior positions in the organization. Thus, explicit efforts are being made to hire and promote persons from socially disadvantaged groups in the organization. Additionally, provisions for internships have been created in all projects to promote the entry of young professionals from socially disadvantaged groups into the organization.