Local recruitment: Senior Consultant (Nepal nationals)

Assignment title: Senior Consultant
Level of Assignment: Expert
Sector: Natural Science
Duty Station: UNESCO Office, Kathmandu, Nepal
Period of consultancy: 20 August 2025- 20 July 2026

Note: Open to Nepali nationals only.

1 August 2025

Last update:12 August 2025

Background

Within the framework of the project “Sustainable Water Security in Developing Countries through Climate Change Adaptation”, the subproject in Nepal “Reduce Vulnerability and Build Resilience in Koshi Basin of Nepal” aims to use innovative approach called Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA), which is a participatory, bottom-up method for incorporating climate change impacts into water resource management and planning (see Figure 1). It provides a structured, step-by-step framework for sustainable water management challenges in response to climate uncertainty.

CRIDA is recognized as an A+ methodology by the World Bank for project preparation and design, including water infrastructure projects, is also highlighted in the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Water Security Sectoral Guidelines as a recommended tool and methodology to prepare and design water projects to build resilience and address climate change uncertainties. Therefore, CRIDA as a sub-national project in Nepal can strengthen the readiness of the country to tap into the financial and technical support from climate financing mechanisms to implement the adaptation projects enlisted in National Adaptation Plan (NAP). 

CRIDA Steps in brief

Figure 1 Schematic overview of the CRIDA steps to climate change vulnerability assessment and adaptation

UNESCO

CRIDA methodology is a participatory and bottom up six -step methodical tools that begins with a preparatory phase that sets the ground for a CRIDA analysis, where the stakeholder groups are identified as well as a rapid problem analysis to build a concept note for the CRIDA case study is performed. Step 1 is a collaborative understanding of the water resources system, including a shared vision on objectives and important performance metrics, summarized under the definition of a ‘Decision Context’. In Step 2 the vulnerability of the system to climatic and non-climatic stressors is evaluated, using a (Climate) Stress Test. This information is then used in step 3 to provide options to address these vulnerabilities by supporting the identification of robust and flexible mitigation actions. In Step 4, a comprehensive plan is developed that evaluates the robustness of the proposed actions, to address the challenges identified and maximize co-benefits. In the final step, the proposed actions are institutionalized to ensure their implementation, considering financial and institutional constraints. 

Output

This sub-national project aligns within the framework of Output 3.SC2: Water science, innovation, education, management, cooperation and governance bolstered for a water-secure world in a changing environment. 

Contribution to UNESCO Performance Indicator 

It contributes to Output 3.SC2 PI 1: Number of Member States and river basins organizations which benefit from and apply UNESCO’s scientific research and knowledge products, innovative approaches, methodologies and tools in addressing water related challenges. 

Contribution to UNSDCF Results

It will contribute to UNSDCF Focus Area 3.2 Strengthen climate change adaptation and resilience through the reduced vulnerabilities and disaster risks, preparedness and effective response and recovery. 

Objective of the work

The consultant will support the implementation of the Preparatory Phase, including Decision Context, Climate Stress Test and which will further help in Formulation of Adaptation Actions, and Evaluation of Adaptation Pathways and are responsible for: 

Objective 1: Mapping stakeholder networks to generate existing knowledge and experience to facilitate CRIDA Step 1 in the Koshi River Basin. 

Objective 2: Defining performance indicators and thresholds of the Climate Change to assess local vulnerabilities through stakeholder collaboration aimed at developing a shared understanding of challenges and opportunities

Objective 3: Supporting the setup of stress test models under CRIDA Step 2 to strengthen understanding of climate uncertainties and their impacts related to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).

Objectives 4: Identifying effective adaptation options and developing adaptation pathways by facilitating collaboration with stakeholders and decision-makers. 

Objective 5: Developing preliminary bankable proposals for identified adaptation pathways to be submitted to climate finance mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Funds. 

Coordination and Supervision

Under the overall authority of the Head of the UNESCO Office in Kathmandu and the direct supervision of the Head of the Science Unit and Project Officer of the Science Unit, 

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Under the guidance of International Experts, engage with Nepal stakeholders for the development of the decision context (CRIDA step 1). This shall include: 

1. Supporting the stakeholder mapping process to identify key stakeholder groups and assess their potential roles in the sub-national project, along with organizing bilateral meetings, workshops, and consultations with the identified stakeholders, including relevant government agencies. 
2. Coordinating the inception meeting for the sub-national project in Kathmandu, Nepal.
3. Support in development of the methodology for the field mission to assess local vulnerabilities and define climate change performance indicators and thresholds, to be conducted in Thame, within the Sagarmatha National Park.
4. Supporting the compilation of existing datasets as outlined in Annex I and facilitating the collection of relevant data such as meteorological, streamflow, glacier, and other hydrological information through coordination with the Government of Nepal and relevant institutions to ensure the effective development of the system model for the CRIDA sub-project in Nepal. 

2. Support International Experts to develop the stress test (CRIDA Step 2) to conduct the tasks below:

1. Set up and calibrate a hydrological model and complementary water systems model for Koshi river basin, with a focus on snowmelt and Glacier Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
2. Develop stochastic weather generators for the Koshi river basin.
3. Run hydro-system model simulations with stochastic weather generators to determine responses of hydrological and water systems performance indicators
   1. to a range of climatic drivers.
4. Develop visualizations of performance indicators through climate response surfaces and higher dimensional visualizations and compare with plausible climate projections to allow for the determination of relative impacts of different drivers, and to illustrate performance sensitivity of a range of stressor for evaluation of various strategies.
5. Provide a quantitative determination of future risks to establish a level of concern, with a focus on snowmelt and Glacier Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).

3. Under the guidance of International Expert, engage with national stakeholders and decision-makers to identify and evaluate climate change adaptation actions, this shall include

1. Supporting the process of identification and evaluation of climate adaptation actions and climate change adaptation pathways for Koshi river basin, with particular focus on locally led adaptation practices.
2. Facilitate workshops during the identification, development and evaluation of the adaptation of actions. 
3. Developing preliminary bankable proposals for identified adaptation pathways to be submitted to climate finance mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Funds.

Qualifications and Experience

EDUCATION

An advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in water resources management, water resources engineering, environmental sciences, hydrometeorology, glaciology or climate change or a closely related discipline.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible and relevant experience is required for candidates with a master’s degree, or at least 8 years for those with a PhD, in the fields of water resource management, water resources engineering, environmental science, hydrometeorology, glaciology, or climate change.
• Proven expertise in applying climate change, glacier and hydrological and water-system assessment tools and models. 
• Experience in involvement in projects aimed at strengthening the resilience of mountain communities, including the skills to conduct participatory and bottom-up vulnerability assessments.
• Experience in organizing both national and international capacity-building workshops for stakeholders in areas related to climate change and environmental sustainability.
• Experience working with the Government of Nepal. 

Desirable: Background in developing concept notes for climate adaptation financing mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent written and spoken Nepalese.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to engage with a diverse group of stakeholders to forge knowledge co-creation and dissemination. 

Document Submission

Interested individual consultant must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

 Technical documents, including 

• Cover letter
• Academic certificates and official transcripts
• Samples of work, including project portfolios, reports, publications, briefs, or other materials that showcase experience in areas such as climate change, water resource management, glacier modeling, vulnerability assessments, and capacity-building initiatives
• Certificates from relevant training programs or specialized courses focused on climate change, water systems, or glacier modeling tools 
• Financial Proposal indicating the amount to be charged for the assignment, including proposed daily rates (or a lump sum amount) quoted in Nepali Rupees (NPR) only. Please quote your fee excluding travel.  

Kindly submit the Financial Proposal in one file, and technical documents as separate files, no later than 18 August 2025, 17:00 (Nepal) time by email, to kat.procurement@unesco.org . Please mention the Ref. No. on the subject line of the e-mail. Applications that do not adhere to the requirement for separate files will not be considered for evaluation.