Norway in Nepal

• Norway has given aid to Nepal since 1964 and since 1996 Nepal has been one of Norad's main cooperation countries.
• In 2000, Norway's embassy opened in Kathmandu.
• Norway's main priorities in Nepal are about supporting renewable energy, climate, food security, education and good governance with an emphasis on human rights and equality.
• Norway supports targeted projects that will strengthen women's rights and protection of marginalized and discriminated groups.
• In 2023, Norway spent NOK 349.5 million on aid work in Nepal.
• Nepal is one of the poorest countries in Asia. It is in 146th place out of 189 countries on the UN's development index

 

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Great Norwegian Lexicon

For the first time since the pandemic lockdown, Nikita was on her way to leave Norway to go on holiday. Then she received a message:

‘You’ve got a job at the embassy in Kathmandu.’

‘It was incredibly fun and felt very exciting, distant and a bit nerve-wracking that we were suddenly moving so far away,’ says the 29-year-old economist.

In the shadow of the Himalayas’ tallest peaks, Nikita is now responsible for following up five gender equality and education projects.

The budget? NOK 70 million.

‘The learning curve has been steep, but I’ve realised that you can learn most things from helpful colleagues and managers.’

Former NHH students such as Nikita are attractive candidates for embassy positions, according to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

LASTING IMPRESSIONS

Nikita’s workday in Kathmandu includes regular meetings and field visits to schools, clinics and hospitals.

There she assesses the projects’ progress and expenditure, how they handle various risk factors, challenges and annual work plans. When everything has been cleared, she pays out the money.

‘Every field visit makes a lasting impression,’ she says.

‘We recently visited maternity clinics that we support where there are obvious hygiene and capacity problems. You also realise how difficult the situation is when you lack 40 per cent of the staff you need. The shortage of doctors and nurses is especially precarious,’ Nikita adds.

Through her work, the 29-year-old also collaborates with Nepalese education authorities and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). They have a mandate to strengthen women’s rights when it comes to sexual and reproductive health and to combat domestic violence.

‘You have a lot of responsibility. How do you feel about that?’

‘It’s definitely a big responsibility, but we work in teams. If something unforeseen or challenging happens that affects a project, I discuss it with my colleagues, my immediate superior and the party concerned. Over time, I have also become more confident in the role and trust my own judgments. No two projects are alike, which is very enjoyable.’

‘SOUND ACADEMIC BACKGROUND’

Norway and Nepal’s common history goes back several decades (see fact box).

Norway is now collaborating with Nepal on issues such as renewable energy, climate, food security, education, good governance, human rights and gender equality.

NHH alumni are popular in this mix.

So says Ragnhild Simensta, who works as a communications adviser for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In an email to NHH Bulletin, she states that they regularly admit NHH graduates to their trainee programmes.

‘Several of our ambassadors have attended NHH, for example Norway’s ambassadors to China, NATO and the USA. Nikita’s sound academic background from NHH is significant for the work Norway does in Nepal,’ she writes.

WANTS TO WORK IN THE FIELD

A few years ago, Nikita spent her time walking around the corridors of NHH. She didn’t know exactly which direction to take, but knew she wanted to go abroad.

‘That’s why this education is so great, because it enables you to work with so many different things,’ she says.

She chose Norad and development cooperation. She was working for Norad when the position in Kathmandu suddenly became available and Nikita was encouraged to apply.

‘I wanted to be in the field where aid management takes place, and Kathmandu is a good place to start. It’s safe to live here, development cooperation is well established, and there is a large community of other donors and UN organisations.’

Nikita also found that her NHH degree helped her in the direction she wanted.

‘I think it’s related to the fact that many NHH graduates have good analytical skills and a good understanding of numbers, at the same time as we can see the bigger picture and think about cost versus benefit. The latter is particularly important because we manage government funds,’ says Nikita.

‘Would you recommend Nepal to other NHH students?’

‘Yes! Both as a holiday destination if you like hiking in the mountains, but also if you’re interested in development cooperation and want to understand how the UN and other large organisations operate.’

SUPPORTS CAREER CHOICE

‘Nikita’s career shows that the skills students gain here are relevant to many types of organisations. It’s about having an understanding, overview, a good head for numbers, control and communicate skills.’

This is according to Stig Tenold, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at NHH.

‘Many NHH students are committed to a cause already during their studies and do not fit into the “stereotype” associated with NHH graduates. So I think it’s great when students choose a career like Nikita, especially because I’m convinced that our graduates can make a positive contribution in important roles and organisations,’ he adds.

Tenold finds it very pleasing that his former student has chosen to work abroad in the field of aid.

HUSBAND QUIT HIS JOB

It has been almost two years since the former NHH student packed her things and flew halfway around the world to start a new job in a new country.

Nikita’s husband, who is also an NHH alumnus, moved with her and now runs an IT company from Kathmandu.

‘It’s truly an adventure that we share. I’m very glad he had the courage to leave a secure job in Norway to join me on this journey. None of us have regretted the decision to move here for a second,’ she says. She has one year left in Asia representing Norway.

Nikita’s choice to move to Nepal is about wanderlust and closeness to her family in India, she says.

‘I’ve always loved travelling and exploring the world. It probably comes from the fact that I went to international school and have been lucky enough to go on many holidays in Europe. I’ve also been on two exchanges and was raised in a multicultural family. It made me accustomed at a young age to travel between and understand two cultures,’ says the 29-year-old, and adds:

‘I enjoy getting new impulses from both unknown countries and people.’

Nikita Dhawan was Vice Rector Stig Tenold’s student assistant in a course for foreign students at NHH.



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