Our Team

Mr. Narendra Bikram KC

Managing Director, Scholar Nepal Pvt Ltd

Master's Degree in Geography (1998)

Mr. Narendra Bikram KC is Managing Director of Scholar Nepal Pvt Ltd. He has completed master's degree in Geography in 1998 and obtained wide range of experiences governance and planning since more than 20 years. He has involved to prepare LGs profile, Geo-Spatial Periodic Plan, O&M, Project Bank Guideline and implementation Plan, Tourism Master Plan, Transport Master Plan, Disaster management Plan, LDCRP, LDCRF, GEDSI, GRB, Social Accountability, RIAP, Own Source revenue (OSR) digitalization, Climate Resilient, Value Chain, Local Economic Development, GIS Mapping, and guidelines. Mr KC has worked in various Donor Partners, INGOs and NGOs to excel his capacity in baseline studies, impact assessments, feasibility studies, performance evaluation studies and comparative studies as coordinator/ training expert and consultant.

Mr. Maniram Singh Mahat

Development Expert

MA Geography, Tribhuvan University (1991); PG Diploma in Municipal Development Finance, IHS, Erasmus University (1999)

Maniram Singh Mahat brings over 32 years of executive, research, and consulting experience in sub-national finance, Climate Finance, governance, project appraisal, monitoring and evaluation, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), drafting federal and sub-national laws, and public financial management (PFM). He holds a Master of Arts in Geography from Tribhuvan University (1991)—featuring specialized research on agricultural land-use management in Nepal's mid-hills—and a Postgraduate Diploma in Municipal Development Finance from IHS, Erasmus University, The Netherlands (1999). He served as Director (2011–2015) and Executive Director (2016–2020) at the Town Development Fund (TDF), Government of Nepal, where he managed a national portfolio of over 1,400 municipal infrastructure projects, secured pivotal Green Climate Fund (GCF) accreditation, and mobilized multi-billion-rupee bilateral financing lines. Under his executive leadership, the institution enforced Nepal Financial Reporting Standards (NFRS) compliance and maintained a remarkable 95% loan recovery rate. During his extensive 17-year tenure with GIZ (1993–2010), he spearheaded foundational fiscal decentralization reforms and drove comprehensive capacity-building initiatives for local governments, empowering municipal staff in advanced urban planning, digital mapping, and the nationwide deployment of computerized municipal financial management systems. Most recently, as Senior PPP Expert & Public Finance Consultant for the Investment Board of Nepal (April 2025 – June 2026), he advised provincial governments on drafting PPP frameworks and rapid baseline methodologies under FCDO/PwC-supported initiatives. Furthermore, as Team Leader and PFM Specialist, he coordinated the design of the "Implementation Guidelines for PLGSP II (2025–2030)," the national flagship program in consultation with the Government of Nepal (GoN) and development partners. Later on, he also led the multi-disciplinary team to strengthen Own Source Revenue (OSR) across 25 local governments by drafting tax and non-tax laws (Acts and guidelines) for local governments and driving the digitalization of OSR.

Mr. Suman Meher Shrestha

Urban Planner and Architect

MSc Urban Planning; MSc Geo-information Science and Earth Observation; BSc Architecture; PG Diploma (CERG_C)

Suman Meher Shrestha is an Urban Planner and Architect with over 30 years of professional experience in urban planning, municipal development, urban infrastructure, institutional strengthening, and project management. He holds a Master of Science in Urban Planning, a Master of Science in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation (Geo-information Management), a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Assessing and Managing Geological and Climate Related Risks (CERG_C). He has extensive experience leading and supporting ADB-, World Bank-, European Union-, UNOPS-, GIZ-, and other multilateral-funded projects, providing technical leadership in urban governance, municipal institutional development, organizational restructuring, business planning, climate-resilient urban infrastructure, infrastructure asset management, climate finance, and capacity development. His expertise includes municipal institutional assessments, organizational and staffing reviews, preparation of O&M frameworks, business and investment plans, governance reforms, cultural and urban development planning, community participation, and strengthening municipal service delivery systems. He has successfully coordinated with government agencies, Project Coordination Offices (PCOs), Project Implementation Units (PIUs), municipalities, and development partners while designing and delivering institutional strengthening, governance, and capacity-building programmes. His extensive experience as Team Leader, Deputy Team Leader, Project Manager, and Urban Development Specialist demonstrates strong capability to support overall project implementation, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, prepare high-quality technical deliverables, and lead institutional strengthening and municipal development initiatives in accordance with the URLIP-ISCPC requirements.

Dr. Jagadish Chandra Pokhrel

Policy / Planning / Legal Reform

Senior Expert in Urban and Regional Planning

Dr. Pokhrel is a senior expert in urban and regional planning with more than 35 years of experience. He served as Vice Chairperson of the National Planning Commission and specializes in policy research.

Dr. Mukunda Pd Paudyal

Economist, Policy and Public Finance

Former Secretary of GoN

Dr. Paudyal headed the policy department of the Ministry of Finance and is a former Secretary of the GoN. He specializes in economic analysis, growth diagnostics, and several policy issues.

Mr. Basant Raj Gautam

Capacity Development

Former Joint-Secretary of GoN

A former Joint-Secretary of GoN with over 25 years of experience in organizational development and capacity development of federal, provincial, and local governments.

Dr. Nahakul KC

Governance, Public Finance and Planning

Former Vice-Chairman, PPC Lumbini

Former Vice-Chairman of Provincial Planning Commission, Lumbini Province and Executive Director of Poverty Alleviation. Currently associated with various governance experts.

Dr. Keshav Kumar Acharya

Federalism, Public Policy & Inclusive Governance

PhD, Expert in Green Governance

Dr. Acharya has more than 25 years of experience in Federalism, Public Policy, and Inclusive Governance. He has worked as a researcher at Kathmandu University and the University of New England, Australia.

Mr. BK Maharjan

PFM and Revenue

Expert in Solid Waste Management

Mr. Maharjan has over 27 years of experience in planning, solid waste management, and community development. He specializes in MTEF, RIAP, and third-party monitoring.

Dr. Madhab Panthi

IT Expert

Assistant Professor, Pulchowk Campus

Dr. Panthi has over 25 years of experience in MIS/IT. He has been involved as a project bank expert in developing the project bank in Nepal and works at the Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk.

Dr. Chhabilal Chidi

GIS Expert

PhD in Geography & GIS

Dr. Chidi has more than 25 years of work experience in GIS, remote sensing, and teaching. He specializes in GIS mapping, spatial analysis, and remote sensing applications.

Jagannath Adhikari

PFM and Planning

Expert in Community Development

Mr. Adhikari has more than 30 years of experience in planning and community development. He specializes in MTEF, Plan Preparation, RIAP preparation, and Monitoring and Evaluation.

Ms. Sovita Pariyar

GESI Expert

M.Sc. Environmental Management

Ms. Pariyar has over 25 years of experience in environment, Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI), and local governance. She specializes in Social Audit and Social Accountability.

Dr. Bhima Dhungana

Economist, Capacity Development

Former Member, PPC Gandaki

Dr. Dhungana has more than 20 years of experience in Planning and MTEF. She served as a member of the Gandaki Provincial Policy and Planning Commission.

Dr. Shankar K Shrestha

Statistician

PhD in Statistics

Dr. Shrestha has more than 20 years of work experience as a teaching professional and statistician, specializing in statistical analysis and data diagnostics.

Dr. Keshav Kumar Acharya (Senior Consultant)

Service Delivery & Climate Resilience

PhD, Public Policy Expert

With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Acharya specializes in climate resilience, service delivery, and social accountability, having consulted for international and domestic agencies.

Er. Umesh Agrawal

Urban Planner / Engineer

Civil Engineer, Master in Urban Planning

Er. Agrawal has over 20 years of experience in urban infrastructure, planning, and project appraisal. He holds degrees in Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, and an MBA.

Dambar Singh Pujara

MA Geography and GIS

Expert in Digital Mapping & Lidar

Mr. Pujara has 20 years of GIS expertise in Digital Mapping and database management. He is a GIS trainer with in-depth knowledge of ArcGIS and satellite image processing.

Mr. Yadav Ojha

Disaster Risk Reduction & Humanitarian Response Expert

Development and Emergency Response Professional

Mr.Yadav Ojha is results-driven development and emergency response professional with over 15 years of progressive experience in Nepal, including direct leadership of post-earthquake relief and recovery operations, disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), and multi-district humanitarian program delivery. His track record includes coordinating post-disaster needs assessment and relief distribution across affected districts, establishing Local Emergency Operation Centers (LEOCs) and municipal disaster plans, and supporting IDP relief operations. He is experienced in managing large donor-funded portfolios (GIZ/BMZ, EU, UNDP, USAID) up to several million euros with strong budgeting, procurement documentation, risk management, and donor reporting skills, alongside proven capacity building, MEL, and multi-stakeholder coordination. Mr. Ojha is a qualified, and technically and tactically competent manager with experience in all facets of Technical Education and Vocational Training (TEVT), Food security, sustainable livelihoods, agriculture value chain. He has strong experience of working with government, municipalities, private sector and communities.

Ms. Ratna Shrestha

Gender Equality & Social Inclusion Expert

MA Sociology & Anthropology (CEU, Hungary); PhD Candidate in Gender Studies, TU

Ms Ratna Shrestha has over 17 years of dedicated experience in promoting of gender equality and empowering women and girls in Nepal, she has developed plethora of knowledge and skills for sustaining gender equitable norms within both private and public spheres. My expertise lies in ensuring gender mainstreaming across all aspects of development work. As a practitioner, I have amplified the voice of the marginalized community, focusing intersectionality, in diverse areas including peacebuilding, climate smart agriculture, disaster management, WASH, private sectors, accessing sexual and reproductive health services and the protection of GBV survivors’ right. I have also actively work towards social justice and have successfully applied gender transformative norms approaches, in developing training manuals, to address harmful norms that perpetuate GBV. Additionally, she has dedicated to dismantling harmful gender norms that promote gender inequality to sustaining gender equitable society through inclusive policies and programs across all development sectors. She has completed Master’s degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Central European University, Hungary and currently pursuing my PhD in Gender Studies form TU, Nepal.

Ms. Lalita Bista

Finance and Logistics Associate

Bachelor's in Business Studies, Tribhuvan University

Ms. Lalita Bista, a permanent resident of Sudurpaschim Province, is proposed as the Finance and Logistics Associate. She is an administration, finance, and programme support professional with over eight years of experience in financial management, budgeting, procurement, compliance, logistics, and project coordination. Since 2018, she has worked as an Admin and Finance Associate at Scholar Nepal Pvt. Ltd., supporting development and capacity-building initiatives funded by GIZ, UNDP, ADB, Caritas Nepal, and other partners. Her expertise includes financial reporting, accounting, taxation, payroll, procurement, audit coordination, asset management, and logistics. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Studies from Tribhuvan University.

Mr. Narayan Kumar BC

Governance Reforms, PFM and Municipal Finance

MBA, PhD Candidate in Fiscal Federalism

Mr Narayan Kumar BC with over 25 years of expertise in governance reforms, public financial management, and municipal finance, with strong skills in stakeholder engagement and training delivery. Mr. BC holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and is currently pursuing a PhD in fiscal federalism. He has coordinated projects with various development partners (ADB, World Bank, UNCDF, UNDP, IFAD, DANIDA, JICA, IMF, etc.) and the Government of Nepal, which is one of his key strengths. He also serves as a Senior Trainer in Planning and Management, PFM, M&E, and Procurement for all tiers of government across different organizations. Experienced project coordinator with over 20 years of expertise in governance reforms, public financial management, and municipal finance, with strong skills in stakeholder engagement and training delivery. Mr. BC holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and is currently pursuing a PhD in fiscal federalism. He recently completed an OSR-related assignment as a Revenue Policy Expert with UNDP/GTN. He was a team member in the programme design of the second phase of PLGSP (2024–2029) and also contributed to drafting the PLGSP Implementation Guidelines 2025. He has extensive experience in preparing RIAPs, MTEFs, and Periodic Plans for local governments, as well as drafting policies and guidelines for federal, provincial, and local governments. He has coordinated projects with various development partners (ADB, World Bank, UNCDF, UNDP, IFAD, DANIDA, JICA, IMF, etc.) and the Government of Nepal, which is one of his key strengths. He also serves as a Senior Trainer in Planning and Management, PFM, M&E, and Procurement for all tiers of government across different organizations.

Mr. Rajib Gautam

Legal and Policy Reform Specialist

Former Secretary, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs

Mr. Rajib Gautam is a former Secretary of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs (GoN) and holds Master Degree in Law with over 30 years' experience in the legal and policy reform sector. He also served as Secretary responsible for the law and justice portfolio at the OPMCM. He has contributed to drafting numerous laws, including the Constitution of Nepal (2072). Currently, he is engaged in drafting various policies and laws and serves as a resource person at the Staff College, where he teaches government and corporate officials.