Thematic area
Ecosystem Services
Background
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) seeks to enable sustainable and resilient mountain development for improved and equitable livelihoods through knowledge generation and regional cooperation.
ICIMOD is a regional intergovernmental learning and knowledge-sharing centre serving the eight regional member countries of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. Working in partnership with regional and international organizations, ICIMOD aims to influence policy and practices to meet environmental and livelihood challenges emerging in the HKH. ICIMOD provides a platform for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers from the region and around the globe to generate and share knowledge, support evidence-based decision making, and encourage regional cooperation.
ICIMOD works through its six Regional Programmes: 1) Adaptation and Resilience Building, 2) Transboundary Landscapes, 3) River Basins and Cryosphere, 4) Atmosphere, 5) Mountain Environment Regional Information System, and 6) Mountain Knowledge and Action Networks. These regional programmes are supported by four Thematic Areas – Livelihoods, Ecosystem Services, Water and Air, and Geospatial Solutions – and underpinned by the Knowledge Management and Communication Unit. ICIMOD seeks to contribute to reducing poverty and vulnerability and improving the lives and livelihoods of mountain women, men and children, now and in the future.
The HKH region houses diverse ecosystems that harbour a myriad of habitats and remarkable biodiversity. The provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services provided by these ecosystems are enjoyed by the region’s mountain populations, by the people living in areas downstream, and by people elsewhere as part of shared endowments. The Ecosystem Services Thematic Area focuses on promoting ecosystem management and sustaining the ecosystem services in the HKH region and strengthening ecological dimensions within the work of ICIMOD and its partners.
Responsibilities and task
Under the overall supervision of the Group Lead of the Ecosystems Theme, the Research Associate will work as a team member in the Ecosystems theme. He/she will have the following duties and responsibilities:
- Assist in development and innovation of ecosystems framework based on learning from Initiative pilot sites
- Assist in providing ecosystems theme inputs in the regional programmes and initiatives
- Provide input to identify ecosystems theme related activities, design and implement
- Support initiatives in the timely collection, review, and compilation of partners’ progress reports
- Coordinate events, conferences, and workshops from a content perspective
- Undertake thematic related research in pilot sites
- Prepare scientific publications and reports as per the initiative needs
- Assist/conduct review and planning meetings of the initiatives
- Liaise with the partners
Specific tasks
- Collect, review, tabulate and consolidate various data on biodiversity from TBLs Protected Areas.
- Provide technical support to the team members in writing and publishing research results and any other support as per requirements of initiatives
- Provide inputs to the regional database
- Support initiatives in organizing and reporting regional workshops and events from content perspective
Minimum qualifications
- A Master’s Degree in Environment Sciences, Natural Resources Management or related subjects with at least three years of relevant work experience is required. A first-level university degree in combination with five years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- Experience working on transboundary landscape issues in the HKH
- Excellent English communication and writing skills
Competencies
- Teamwork and Cooperation: Works collaboratively in a team, seeking opinions and feedback to find solutions and meet team objectives
- Results Orientation: Takes responsibility for fulfilling challenging goals set in line with organizational processes
- Cross-Cultural Impact: Adjusts to cultural differences to ensure broad participation
- Analytical Thinking: Uses logical thinking to solve problems, develop plans, and contribute to the decision-making process while taking different viewpoints into account
- Continuous Improvement and Innovation: Seeks to improve work processes by implementing new practices and technologies
- Self-Development: Positive attitude towards learning and professional development with the ability to recognize his/her strengths and weaknesses
- Developing Others: Supports a culture of learning and provides feedback on the performance of others, including adherence to protocol
Duty station
The duty station is Kathmandu. Frequent travel and fieldwork will be required.
Duration
One year, of which the first three months are probationary, with the possibility of an extension subject to ICIMOD’s future funding levels and performance.
Renumeration
Salaries and benefits of ICIMOD are competitive compared with other regional organizations; remuneration is commensurate with experience and 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 organizational and programmatic levels.
Method of application
Applicants are requested to apply online before 18 March 2020 through ICIMOD’s Online Application System.
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.
