ICIMOD is a regional knowledge development and learning centre serving the eight regional member countries of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas (HKH) – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. The centre is working to develop an economically and environmentally sound mountain ecosystem to improve the living standards of mountain populations - now, and for the future. In line with its current Strategic Framework, ICIMOD is strengthening its capacity to develop new approaches to meet the growing challenges in the region posed by climate change and globalisation.
Environmental Change and Ecosystem Services (ECES) is one of ICIMOD's three strategic programmes. The Programme focuses on strategy and policy issues in relation to natural resources, with a clear focus on ecosystem services and increasing benefits to mountain people and the downstream population.
Role of the Programme Manager
The Programme Manager is responsible for leading the overall ECES Programme including ensuring the quality, integration, planning, and implementation of ICIMOD activities in the regional member countries. The Programme Manager is expected to be familiar with the international research agenda and practice, and aware of the strategic issues related to ecosystem services particularly in the HKH region. The Programme Manager is part of the management team of the organisation.
Reporting and Supervising
The Programme Manager reports to the Director of Programme Operations in all aspects of programme development, implementation and coordination and to the Director General in all institutional matters. S/He supervises all staff of the ECES programme and administers and manages the regional action research and scaling up projects in the field of ecosystem services.
Responsibilities
The main responsibilities of the Programme Manager are
- Leadership and programme management: Formulate and develop programme activities and project proposals that will promote regional cooperation on environmental change and ecosystem services and enhance the regional, national, and local capacity for sustainable mountain development; develop and monitor the programme budget; communicate with partners from regional member countries on a needs basis.
- Research and policy development: Based on identified research priorities, lead or participate in specific action research and studies; maintain an active dialogue with partners and policy-makers; and contribute to bridging the gaps between research, policy, and practice.
- Team and capacity building: Take leadership in staff team and capacity building activities; contribute to a positive, flexible and professional working environment.
- Communication, collaboration and partnership development: Develop and maintain a constructive dialogue with stakeholders in the region and beyond (government officials, NGOs, research institutions, donors, and others); develop partnerships with national, regional and global stakeholders for strategic collaboration to contribute to ICIMOD’s work in promoting the mountain perspective and integrated mountain research and development in the HKH region.
- Fundraising and resource mobilisation: Lead resource mobilisation activities to secure programme implementation -- write concept notes and proposals; develop and maintain constructive dialogues with donors; promote ICIMOD research, development and capacity building activities; explore co-funding opportunities from regional member countries.
Qualifications
The thrust of ICIMOD programmes are often of transboundary and regional nature; the Programme Manager shall have a good understanding of the regional dimension of ECES as well as the positioning of this work in the global context. The minimum qualification is a postgraduate degree, preferably PhD, in natural resources management or ecosystem services and/or a related field.
- 10 years minimum work experience in the field of ecosystem services/natural resources management, of which part preferably has been gained in a mountain region
- 5 years of experience in leading management positions, preferably in a multi-cultural environment
- Experience in research on policy issues related to environmental change and natural resource management
- Experience in managing and working with multidisciplinary teams, particularly with international/regional agencies; capacity for intellectual leadership; and skill in working with colleagues and collaborators of different national and cultural backgrounds
- Ability to prepare project proposals, progress reports, and others for submission to ICIMOD sponsors; skills in programme planning, negotiation and assessment, and monitoring and evaluation
- Excellent communication and writing skills, with a documented record of publications in relevant subjects
Remuneration
Salaries and benefits at ICIMOD are highly competitive compared to other regional organisations; remuneration is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Duration 3 years, of which the first six months is on probation, and subject to future funding levels of ICIMOD. Starting date is as early as possible.
Gender and Equity Policy
Qualified and eligible women candidates and those from disadvantaged backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply. ICIMOD implements a gender fair policy and is supportive of working women. It operates a day-care Centre at the campus and a Gender Resource Centre and is committed to gender mainstreaming at the organisational and programmatic levels.
Applications with complete curriculum vitae together with the names and contact addresses of three referees should be sent to the following address not later than 20 January 2011.
HRD Officer ICIMOD
PO Box 3226 Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: (977-1) 5003222 Fax: (977-1) 5003299 / 5003277
e-mail: [email protected]
Only short- listed candidates will be notified.