Website ICIMOD
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Research Associate
Application deadline: 14 Jun 2022
ICIMOD is seeking applications for the position, Research Associate (project position; open for Nepali nationals only).
Thematic area
Livelihoods
Programme
Resilient Mountain Solutions Initiative/Building Resilience of Agro-ecosystem and Community Empowerment (BRACE) project
Background
Summary
We are looking for someone who is a passionate researcher, results driven, and motivated to make a difference. You will be based in Kathmandu, Nepal, and working in a cross-cultural, impact-oriented environment, primarily focusing on contribution to technical aspects of the project activities and gender equality and social inclusion issues in project implementation. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who values partnerships and diversity, is passionate about mountains and people, and is committed to helping build a greener, more inclusive, climate-resilient Hindu Kush Himalaya as ICIMOD moves into its new Strategy 2030 period from 2023.
About ICIMOD
We are ICIMOD – a unique regional intergovernmental learning and knowledge centre based in Nepal. We work on behalf of the people of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) and our eight Regional Member Countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.
We aim to influence policy and practices to help the governments and communities of the HKH meet the region’s complex and increasing climate and environmental challenges while encouraging regional cooperation and collaboration for more sustainable mountain development.
We are currently in the last year of our Medium-Term Action Plan (MTAP-IV) programming period (2018–2022). Given rapidly changing development scenarios, we have recently formulated a new Strategy 2030: Moving Mountains, where we have committed to helping build a greener, more inclusive, climate resilient Hindu Kush Himalaya and are eager to engage talented new colleagues from across the region and the world.
Responsibilities and task
This position is within our new project − Building Resilience of Agro-ecosystem and Community Empowerment (BRACE), under the Resilient Mountain Solutions (RMS) Initiative. The BRACE project aims to improve climate-resilient agricultural practices for wider adoption within the Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces and beyond through action research, including on-farm demonstrations; evidence-based knowledge generation; and scaling up at the municipal, provincial, and national levels. The project has identified 19 municipalities (10 in Sudurpaschim and 9 in Karnali provinces) and aims to directly benefit 2,500 households. This position is expected to contribute to technical aspects of the project activities and significantly contribute to gender equality and social inclusion issues in project implementation.
Under the direct supervision of the Theme Leader of Livelihoods, in close cooperation with the Project Coordinator of BRACE, and under the overall guidance of the Regional Programme Manager (Adaptation and Resilience Building), the Research Associate will have the following broad duties and responsibilities:
- Provide inputs to identify BRACE-related activities, design, and implementation
- Provide technical support to implementing partners for testing and demonstration of climate-resilient technologies/practices in pilot sites
- Collect, review, and consolidate various data on climate-resilient agricultural technologies/practices
- Liaise with implementing partners
- Assist and coordinate to organise various training and capacity-building events for the project
- Assist in review and planning meetings of the project
Specific tasks
- Support gender equality and social inclusion interventions at the municipal and provincial levels
- Collect gender-disaggregated data and prepare reports and relevant knowledge products
- Support the project team in organising and reporting local, provincial, national, and regional workshops and events from a content perspective
- Assist the project coordinator in timely collection, review, and preparation of consolidated draft technical progress report and other required reports
Minimum qualifications
- A master’s degree in agriculture, natural resources management, environmental sciences, or related subjects with at least two years of relevant work experience and experience in gender and social inclusion is required. A first-level university degree in combination with four additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- Experience working in the field, and willingness to travel to remote districts of Nepal
- Excellent English communication and report writing skills (in English and Nepali) and analytical skills with an ability to understand and contextualise research and demonstration results to be presented in a coordinated manner to external stakeholders
- Knowledge on using statistical software like R, Excel, and PowerPoint as well as good working understanding of data management software
Competencies
- Teamwork and cooperation: Works collaboratively in a team, seeking opinions and feedback to find solutions and meet team objectives
- Result orientation: Takes responsibility for fulfilling challenging goals set in line with organisational processes
- Cross-cultural impact: Adjusts to cultural differences to ensure broad participation
- Continuous improvement and innovation: Continually improves work processes and questions status quo practices, traditions, and assumptions
- Analytical thinking: Seeks out information and does research to understand problems
- Self-development: Positive attitude towards learning and professional development
- Developing others: Facilitates effective operational results and compliance
Duty station
The duty station is Kathmandu. Frequent travel and field work in Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces of Nepal will be required.
Duration
This is a non-renewable project position, initially for one year, with a probation period of three months, starting as early as possible. Extensions are possible subject to performance and ICIMOD’s future funding levels, with the entire contract period not extending beyond 31 October 2024.
Renumeration
Salaries and benefits of ICIMOD are competitive; remuneration is commensurate with experience, qualifications.
Gender and equity policy
Qualified and eligible women candidates and those from disadvantaged backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply. ICIMOD upholds a gender equity policy and is supportive of women professionals. It operates a day-care centre at the campus and is committed to the integration of gender equity at organisational and programmatic levels.
Method of application
Applicants are requested to apply online before 14 June 2022 (11:59 PM Nepal Standard Time) through ICIMOD’s online application system.
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.