Terms of Reference
Title: Assistant Project Coordinator – Koshi Basin
Action Area : Water
Programme: Koshi Basin Programme Phase 1
Background
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is a regional intergovernmental learning and knowledge sharing centre serving the eight regional member countries of the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. Mountains are important global ecosystems facing especially rapid socioeconomic and environmental changes, particularly the impacts of climate change. Our aim is to influence policy and practices to meet the
associated challenges emerging in the HKH Region. To do this we bring together top researchers from the region and around the globe to generate and disseminate state-of-the-art knowledge in the physical and social sciences, including traditional knowledge, for evidence-based decision making; and we provide a neutral meeting point for transboundary research, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. Working to deliver impacts in five Regional Programmes across four Thematic Areas – Livelihoods; Ecosystem Services; Water; and Geospatial Solutions – supported by integrated knowledge management, we seek to improve the lives and livelihoods of mountain women and men, now and for the future.
Water is one of ICIMOD’s four strategic Thematic Areas. ICIMOD fosters regional and transboundary dialogue to promote integrated water and land management and acts as a resource centre for information on water resources. The centre analyses the demand and future availability of water coming from the mountains; water-related hazards including floods and droughts; the potential impacts of climate and anthropogenic change; development of hydropower; and the role of hill and mountain irrigation in providing food security. The thematic area focuses on solutions at a variety of scales, from community to national
policy level. It also addresses transboundary issues, including benefit sharing between communities, building community resilience, and the water-food-energy nexus.
Like other mountain regions, the HKH region is particularly vulnerable to climate change and other environmental changes. Ongoing climate change processes such as accelerated warming and changing rainfall patterns are projected to have a large impact on the HKH region. A number of noticeable impacts have already been documented, the most widely reported being the reduction in the size of glaciers.
This has short- and long-term implications for water storage in the region’s river basins, affecting the livelihoods of both upstream and downstream populations. Climate change is also anticipated to affect the frequency and magnitude of water-induced hazards such as flash floods and landslides. The impacts of climate change will be compounded by a variety of other environmental and social stresses, adding to the complexity of developing effective adaptation strategies. These issues are particularly relevant for the Koshi River basin, an important transboundary river basin in the HKH region shared by China, India, and Nepal. Moreover, natural and socioeconomic processes have strong upstream-downstream linkages, creating challenges as well as opportunities for transboundary river basin management.
For its multi-year Koshi Basin Initiative, ICIMOD is looking for an Assistant Project Coordinator with strong knowledge on river basin management and particular expertise on meltwater generation, climate model downscaling, and climate change scenarios. This person must also have a thorough understanding of water-related hazards in river basins, early warning systems, and regional cooperation in the HKH region.
Responsibilities and tasks
To support the Koshi Basin Programme, the Assistant Project Coordinator will carry out the following tasks in close collaboration with the Project Coordinator and the Project Management Unit:
- Provide management assistance to the Project Coordinator through the development of component/activity schedules, conceptual frameworks, and monitoring and evaluation systems and making necessary revisions to the logical framework.
- Support the Project Coordinator in the preparation of reporting requirements for donors.
- Prepare position papers, literature reviews, and technical papers as required.
- Assist in the organization of regional and national workshops as required.
- Communicate with national stakeholders in connection with the implementation of project activities.
- Participate in field missions and research programmes as and when necessary, most often in collaboration with national partners.
- Support actions needed for the development of a regional framework for cooperation for the envisaged Koshi Basin Management Plan, including the organization of meetings.
- Support the development of hydrological models of the Koshi basin and sub-basins under different climate change scenarios.
- Support the assessment of water productivity in the Koshi basin
- Provide general programmatic support to the Water Thematic Area and River Basin Management Regional Programme in the implementation of ongoing activities and the development of new activities as
necessary.
- Work as a team player within the Water Thematic Area, the River Basin Management Regional Programme, and ICIMOD to support other relevant activities and promote institutional goals.
Minimum Qualifications
- Post-graduate academic degree, preferably Ph.D., in water resources management or a related field
- At least three years of varied experience in hydrology, water resources management, integrated water resources management, or water governance
Competencies
- Extensive knowledge of the issues and challenges in river basin water management in the HKH region and a thorough understanding of global developments in transboundary water cooperation and management
- Proficiency in hydrological modelling or community water use modelling
- Project management and coordination skills, including experience in the organization of regional meetings, workshops, and other relevant events
- Solid networking skills
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Excellent spoken communication and writing skills in English
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Strong commitment to ICIMOD’s mission and core values of equity, fairness, and diversity
Duration
One year, of which the first three months are probation with a possibility of extension subject to ICIMOD’s future funding levels and project requirements.
Remuneration
Salaries and benefits of ICIMOD are competitive with those of 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 implements a gender fair policy and is supportive of working women. It operates a Day-Care Centre at the campus and is
committed to gender mainstreaming at the organisational and programmatic levels.
Method of application
Only shortlisted candidates will be
notified.