Thematic area
Water and Air
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.
Water and Air is one of ICIMOD’s four strategic thematic areas and houses competencies related to water and atmospheric issues. ICIMOD fosters regional and transboundary exchange and dialogue to promote integrated water and land management and air quality monitoring. It acts as a resource centre for information on water resources and atmosphere. These competencies are applied in ICIMOD’s six regional programmes to foster inter and transdisciplinary research and development activities, thereby delivering a positive impact in the HKH.
From physical, ecological, and social perspectives, the Water and Air Thematic Area analyses the demand and future availability of water from mountains; cryosphere dynamics; rivers, springs, groundwater, and watersheds; water-related hazards including floods and droughts; the potential impacts of climate and anthropogenic changes; hydropower development; and the role of hill and mountain irrigation in providing food security. The Thematic Area also focuses on improving quantitative understanding of atmospheric transport, chemicals and microphysical processes, emission sources within and up-wind of the region, and the impacts of atmospheric change on the health of poor communities and on the cryosphere. Water and Air focuses on developing solutions at a variety of scales, from community to national policy levels, and fostering regional cooperation. It also addresses transboundary issues, especially within the water–food–energy nexus, including benefit-sharing and building community resilience. Regional cooperation on atmospheric monitoring, data sharing, and mitigation is an important component of the thematic work.
The Cryosphere Analyst will primarily work in ICIMOD’s Cryosphere Initiative, under the regional programme on River Basins and Cryosphere. The Cryosphere Initiative works towards improving the understanding of the importance of snow, ice, and permafrost in the HKH and their role in society and the economy. The Initiative and its implementing partners in the region have established a Cryosphere Monitoring Programme to assess cryosphere water resources, cryosphere-related disaster risks, and scenarios for future water availability using an integrated approach of field measurements, remote sensing, and modelling.
Together with regional and international partners, the Initiative works to enhance the capacity of institutions in ICIMOD’s regional member countries for sustainable hydropower development, to increase scientific knowledge of the cryosphere, and to co-produce and share relevant data and knowledge. The work contributes to the development of effective measures and policies for water resources and risk management in the HKH.
Responsibilities and task
Under the overall guidance of the Cryosphere Group Lead – Water and Air Thematic Area and in close collaboration with the Programme Coordinator Cryosphere, the Cryosphere Analyst will have the following responsibilities:
- Participate and/or lead field missions to maintain automatic weather stations, hydrological stations, temperature data loggers, and other technical equipment at high altitude in collaboration with regional and international partners.
- Ensure together with the Cryosphere team and other colleagues of the Water and Air Thematic Area that hydrological, meteorological, and glaciological field equipment is functional. Maintain, arrange repair or procure new equipment when necessary. Take initiative in the selection or development of equipment according to ICIMOD regulations.
- Process and ensure accuracy and quality of meteorological, hydrological, and glaciological data that is acquired routinely. Keep data base up to date and share data with partners.
- Conduct statistical analyses of environmental data. Synthesize results and provide recommendations based on these analyses.
- Contribute to the preparation of technical reports and specific elements of scientific manuscripts.
- Work collaboratively within the Water and Air Thematic Area and in coordination with ICIMOD’s regional programmes, specifically River Basins and Cryosphere, and Atmosphere, to support other relevant activities and promote institutional goals. This includes working on multidisciplinary topics.
Minimum qualifications
- A master’s degree, preferably in glaciology, meteorology, hydrology, environmental sciences, geography, geophysics, geology or related subjects with at least three years of relevant work experience is required. A first-level university degree in combination with six years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- Strong fieldwork skills, including technical maintenance of scientific instruments in remote and/or high-altitude environments
- Strong numerical skills; programming/statistical data-processing and analysis skills (R, Python, or MATLAB)
- Experience in mountaineering techniques as well as physical fitness to work in demanding conditions at high altitudes
- Ability to work independently as well as with multidisciplinary and multicultural teams
- Good record of publications in relevant subject areas
- Experience in glacio-hydrological and/or energy balance modelling is desirable.
Competencies
- Cross-cultural impact: Adapts to various customs and practices
- Result and impact orientation: Works in challenging situations to generate concrete results, successfully transforming output to outcome
- Teamwork and cooperation: Solicits ideas and opinions to help form specific plans and take decisions cohesively
- Networking and stakeholder management: Identifies relevant stakeholders and other external parties and builds relationships with them
- Impactful communication: Is an active listener and able to tailor convincing messages for different audiences, integrating ideas from several sources
- Continuous improvement and innovation: Spots opportunities for improvement, encourages new ideas, and implements new technologies to enhance workflow
- Analytical thinking: Simplifies complex issues to identify the essence of a problem or opportunity in order to make effective, timely decisions
- Behavioural flexibility and change management: Adapts to change and adjusts to new responsibilities and circumstances
Duty station
The duty station is Kathmandu. Frequent travel and fieldwork will be required.
Duration
Two years, with a probation period of six months, starting as early as possible, with a possibility of extension subject to performance and ICIMOD’s future funding levels.
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 30 March 2020 through ICIMOD’s online application system.
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.
