Cultivating a Thriving Culture: Work Environment Survey Across 12 Helvetas Nepal Projects
Milestone Synergy worked closely with Helvetas Nepal—an independent Swiss development organization—to conduct a comprehensive Work Environment Survey covering 12 diverse projects across the country. At the time, we recognized that the success of development work was deeply rooted in the well-being and engagement of the people implementing it.
The Objective
The primary objective of the survey was to capture the “pulse” of the organization’s human capital. By moving beyond standard performance metrics, the survey aimed to:
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Assessed Employee Engagement: Measured the level of commitment, motivation, and “heart and soul” that staff members brought to their respective projects.
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Evaluated Workplace Culture: Understood the practical application of Helvetas’ core values—such as multiculturalism, collegiality, and flat hierarchies—at the project level.
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Identified Operational Friction: Pinpointed specific environmental or systemic factors that were causing stress or hindering productivity across different geographic locations.
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Benchmarked Work-Life Balance: Assessed the effectiveness of flexible working models and support systems in helping staff balance intense field demands with personal well-being.
Scope of the Survey
Helvetas Nepal represented one of the largest country programs of Helvetas globally. To ensure a representative and inclusive dataset, the survey engaged staff from 12 active projects, including those focused on:
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Technical & Vocational Training (e.g., ENSSURE, SheLeads)
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Infrastructure (Bridges & Roads)
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Water Governance & WASH
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Climate & Disaster Resilience
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Sustainable Economy & Migration
Our Methodology: A Data-Driven Approach
Milestone Synergy utilized a multi-layered diagnostic approach to ensure confidentiality and honest feedback:
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Quantitative Analysis: Structured digital surveys were sent to all project staff to measure job satisfaction, perceived fairness, and clarity of roles.
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Thematic Categorization: Data was analyzed across different project types (e.g., office-based vs. field-heavy projects) to identify unique environmental needs.
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Well-being Indicators: We focused on “soft” factors such as psychological safety, the quality of professional relationships, and the sense of belonging within a multicultural team.
Detailed Focus Areas
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The “First-Name” Culture: We assessed if the participative and non-hierarchical culture of the Swiss headquarters was effectively translated into the local Nepali context.
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Diversity & Inclusion: Evaluated the work environment from the perspectives of gender equality and social equity, ensuring every voice was heard.
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Resource & Support Systems: Determined if staff had the necessary tools—from physical infrastructure to mental health support—to perform their roles with excellence.
The Milestone Impact
The findings from this survey provided Helvetas Nepal leadership with a Strategic Health Report for their workforce. This data-backed insight allowed for:
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Targeted Interventions: Addressed specific gaps in certain projects or regions rather than applying a “one-size-fits-all” policy.
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Policy Refinement: Enhanced HR policies to better support staff during stressful project phases.
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Strengthened Retention: By identifying ways to create a more supportive environment, Helvetas was better positioned to attract and retain top-tier talent in the development sector.
By conducting this survey, Milestone Synergy empowered Helvetas Nepal to continue leading by example—proving that a healthy work environment was the essential foundation for sustainable global development.
