Senior Intervention Manager: Leveraging Investment

About ICIMOD

The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region stretches 3,500km across Asia, spanning eight countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. Encompassing high-altitude mountain ranges, mid-hills, and plains, the zone is vital for the food, water and energy security of up to two billion people and is a habitat for countless irreplaceable species. It is also acutely fragile – and frontline to the impacts of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), based in Kathmandu, Nepal, is an international organisation established in 1983, that is working to make this critical region greener, more inclusive and climate resilient. For more information, read our Strategy 2030 and explore our website. 

About our approach to climate and green finance

Identifying new climate and development finance flows is an important priority for HKH countries, given the dearth of green investment and the enormous financing gap for climate adaptation, mitigation and nature. Without new and additional finance, HKH countries will not be able to meet their climate adaptation, biodiversity and mitigation goals.

‘Enabling climate resilient and green investment’ is one of the pillars of ICIMOD’s Strategy 2030. ICIMOD, as a regional institution, is drawing on its convening power and knowledge to help catalyse investment, including by: (i) identifying and developing solutions and collectively developing these into business cases, (ii) playing a role in assisting HKH countries to access global funds (iii) facilitating investment in the private sector, or through public-private partnerships, and (iv) convening investors and investment experts to explore innovative ways to finance solutions and focus the investment conversation on HKH mountain priorities.  ICIMOD also plays a role in advocating for HKH priorities in global and regional policy and investment fora.

Position overview

The Senior Intervention Manager: Leveraging Investment will lead ICIMOD’s investment work.  This role will require strong management and leadership skills and will contribute to the management of the broader action area- Global.  The aim of the work area is to leverage and attract climate-resilient and green investment into the HKH. The role will require engagement with international funders, including the global climate and environment funds, development partners, regional and global finance institutions, and multiple public and private-sector partners, including other knowledge partners.  The selected candidate will look beyond traditional sources of finance towards private investment, whether through innovative public-private mechanisms, capacity building or other approaches.

 This role will require collaborative working across ICIMOD and with partners outside the organisation. This will require strong leadership and management skills.  Part of this work is funded by the UK FCDO’s Himalayan Resilience Enabling Action Programme (HIREAP), funded under the high-profile Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) programme.  This requires cross-working with UNDP, the World Bank, the ADB and the UK Met Office, who are also CARA partners.

Responsibilities

The Senior Intervention Manager: Leveraging Investment will be responsible for delivering results in line with our Strategy 2030: Moving Mountains and our Medium-Term Action Plan V (2023–2026): Embracing Change and Accelerating Impact. They will lead all elements of the work area and play a significant role in the management and steering of climate finance work in the ICIMOD Action Area: Global, including line managing staff in the work area.

1. Manage and provide leadership for the intervention

·       The post holder will need strong management and leadership skills to set direction and manage workstreams, and to provide leadership to colleagues in the work area. 

·         Hold accountability for the intervention, including the quality and timeliness of delivery against results stated in the 2023–26 Results Framework as well as the requirements of any other bilateral projects, such as HIREAP and CARA.

·         Be responsible for planning, budgeting and reporting of all activities within the intervention, including to any bilateral donors.

·         Identify strategic partnerships, take these forward, and oversee the delivery of consultancies or contractual relationships related to the intervention in accordance with ICIMOD standard operating procedures.

·         Ensure inclusivity when designing activities to integrate gender equality and social inclusion (GESI).

·         Ensure that the intervention is fully resourced, has effective support of other relevant staff in ICIMOD, and that strategic links across ICIMOD and externally are built and maintained.

2. Build on and develop the ‘HKH Investment Working Group for Resilient Mountains (HIWG)’

·      Lead the further development and expansion of the multistakeholder platform – HKH Investment Working Group for Resilient Mountains (HIWG) developed as part of the  ‘Mountains of Opportunity Investment Framework’ (MOIF) initiative, from its current early stage.  This will involve strategic thinking, extensive collaboration, and the ability to identify and define how, through the right partnerships and activities, ICIMOD can develop the HIWG to best effect. MOIF was endorsed by the HKH countries at UNFCCC COP26 in 2021 to identify how we can deploy this framework to better support the leveraging of investment opportunities in the HKH, and oversee all activity related to it.

·         Lead strategic discussions to design the methods and activities to ensure the HIWG is tailored to the needs of partners in the HKH region and is linking into ICIMOD’s Strategic Groups and Action Areas.

·         Develop and foster partnerships and networks across the HKH to support the development of HIWG, such as with key knowledge and finance partners.

·         In close collaboration with others and supported by a small team, develop and coordinate the delivery of a programme of events and content in support of the HIWG platform.

·         Build global advocacy for additional investment in the HKH in coordination with the HIWG.

3. Lead the HKH Innovation Challenge for Entrepreneurs

·         Lead and supervise the HKH Innovation Challenge for Entrepreneurs (HKH-ICE) in collaboration with partners, including the HIWG.  This will include managing a significant contracted relationship.

·         Oversee and supervise, in close collaboration with HKH-ICE partner the Global Resilience Partnership (GRP), the team’s contributions to the assessment process for further cohorts of entrepreneurs from the region, the mentorship process for entrepreneurs, and the facilitation and conducting of a Leadership Academy for winning entrepreneurs.

·         Lead and supervise the team’s efforts to link entrepreneurs with relevant partners and investors for scaling.

4. Leverage climate finance for the HKH countries

·         Provide leadership in ICIMOD on the topic of investment, especially in the context of the multiple new opportunities emerging globally, including innovative finance instruments and challenge funds.

·         Lead ICIMOD’s work to harness investment expertise to close the gap between solutions developed by knowledge organisations such as ICIMOD, and investors who are seeking bankable business cases.

·         Co-lead any relevant processes of accreditation to global funds, building on ICIMOD’s accreditation to the Adaptation Fund, in close collaboration with other teams in ICIMOD, and capitalise further on these opportunities.

·         Lead the coordination and development of a bankable climate-finance related project portfolio. This will include contributing to proposals in collaboration with others in ICIMOD, and ICIMOD partners, for the global climate and environment funds, or exploring new innovative finance opportunities, such as blended finance.

Person Specification/Competencies

[Experience, Knowledge, and Skills]

ESSENTIAL

·         An advanced degree (Master’s level) in a relevant field, e.g. finance, environmental economics, international relations, public administration, sustainable development, climate change or other relevant area.

·         At least 10 years’ experience, including at least 5 years of demonstrated experience in fields related to climate change, sustainable development, climate/environment/energy economics, international development and/or environment finance, including within public and private sectors.

·         Experience of leading and managing teams, and of leadership within an organisation.

·         Knowledge of and experience in adaptation/resilience/socio-economic/landscape investment needs within vulnerable areas, such as the HKH region.

·         A good understanding of the international funding landscape and sources of finance for climate, environment and nature.

·         Demonstrable programme management experience, particularly of green investment and climate finance or in other areas, including working with results frameworks and log frames.

·         Knowledge of recent developments in the climate change finance landscape, including the global climate and environment funds, public and private responses and developments, and the opportunities and challenges arising.

·         A strategic mindset with a results-driven, action-oriented approach with strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to solve complex problems.

·         Ability to lead and supervise the convening, curating and running of multi-stakeholder events.

·         Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

·         Ability to work independently and as part of a team and navigate complexity and ambiguity.

PREFERRED

·         Understanding of relevant GESI-related issues.

·         Working knowledge of a range of innovative finance approaches, such as nature and carbon markets, blended finance, and green bonds.

• Relevant and quantifiable experience from within or from working with the private sector (for example of impact investment, SME acceleration/incubation).

Method of application

Applicants are requested to apply online before 18 January 2026 (11:59 PM Nepal Standard Time) through International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development - Current Openings.  

Detailed TOR: https://icimod-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/azaman_icimod_org/Ed8cKqeFqIxNjQCJEsevUOYBR7JUUqXzidJd8N39vo_YDQ?e=PmPAnC

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.