Job Description

Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:

• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)  
• Tier 2: Staff holding UNDP temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts and Expert and Specialist UNVs with host entity UNDP
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background

While climate change is observed across Nepal, the rate of temperature increase is more pronounced at higher altitudes. This temperature rise accelerates the rate of glacial retreat, increasing the size of glacial lakes located in these high-altitude areas and, in turn, their likelihood of breaching in the form of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) which cause severe flooding, landslides and mudflows that damage infrastructure and private assets, and disrupt transportation networks, agricultural production, power supplies from hydropower plants and tourism activities. Damages from GLOFs are often irreparable for decades, with considerable economic costs, particularly to downstream populations. The risk of GLOFs is further exacerbated by increasing temperatures which increase the rate of snow and ice melt and the proportion of precipitation falling as rain, which increases the volume of the lakes, thereby reducing the amount of ‘freeboard’, which increases the likelihood of overflow and the intensity of resulting floods.

The Thulagi, Lower Barun, Lumding Tsho and Hongu 2 Lakes are at exceptionally high risk of breaching having already exhibited considerable increases in volume, accelerated degradation of their ice-cored moraines, and a reduced amount of ‘freeboard’ as a result of climate change. Combined, these factors have destabilized the lakes, exposing the Gandaki Basin and the Dudhkoshi and Arun Sub-basins to the threat of a GLOF event. Without intervention, these glacial lakes could breach at any given moment, adversely impacting vulnerable Nepalese communities. 

In response to this risk, USD36 millions of GCF funds, alongside USD14 million in cofinance, will be directed to reduce the risk and impacts of GLOFs at the four priority glacial lakes by shifting towards a proactive approach to GLOF risk reduction in Nepal. The proposed project presents an integrated approach to GLOF risk management in Nepal by addressing institutional and technical capacities, physical protection (both grey and green infrastructure approaches), hazard monitoring and early warning. This integrated approach will utilise GCF funds to: i) lower the water levels of four glacial lakes to reduce their risk of breaching; ii) implement Eco-Disaster Risk Reduction interventions in mountain ecosystems to mitigate the residual flood impacts from a GLOF; iii) establish and implement early warning systems to alleviate damages and prevent the loss of lives from GLOFs; and iv) strengthen the technical and institutional capacity of Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology to plan for and respond to GLOFs and floods. These interventions will catalyse a shift from a need- and project-based approach towards proactive and pre-emptive approaches, engendered through strengthened capacity among institutions and communities. 

The project will be implemented following UNDP’s support to National Implementation Modality (NIM), with Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) under Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (MoEWRI) of Nepal serving as the Implementing Partner. Under this modality, UNDP is supporting DHM in recruiting key positions for the establishment of a Project Management Unit, which will be based in Kathmandu, Nepal. Members of the PMU will collectively be responsible for overall planning and budgeting, collaborating with other ministries, sectors and government entities to implement the project performance management system; bidding for the provision of project consultancy services; coordination with the responsible parties in terms of bidding of goods and services; disbursement and implementation of project audits, operation of accounts, monitoring and preparation of overall project reports (annual), and safeguards policy monitoring reports.

Duties and Responsibilities

The PMU will be headed by the Project Coordination Specialist (PCS) and will operate under the overall guidance of the National Project Director (NPD) — as assigned by MoEWRI. The CTS will work under overall oversight of the NPD and direct supervision of UNDP Deputy Resident Representative and in close coordination with Assistant Resident Representative (Resilience and Environment) and Portfolio Manager (Resilience and Environment).

The Chief Technical Specialist will provide overall technical leadership and strategic guidance to the Nepal GLOF Project, ensuring the project is implemented in line with international best practices, UNDP/GCF standards, and national priorities. The CTA will advise on the technical direction of project activities, oversee quality assurance of outputs, and support the transfer of knowledge and capacity to national counterparts. The CTS will work closely with the Project Board, UNDP, and government stakeholders to ensure integration of project outcomes into national climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies.

Lead project management, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting and provide strategic technical leadership:

• Guide overall project direction on GLOF risk reduction, climate adaptation, and multi-hazard early warning systems.
• Ensure alignment with international best practices, UNDP/GCF requirements, and national climate priorities.
• Advise the Project Board and Project Manager on technical and strategic decisions.
• Provide strategic inputs during the development and review of annual workplans and budgets. 
• Guide and support the PMU to ensure that the projects are implemented as per the project document, letter of agreements and associated national implementation manuals, as well as all relevant UNDP and GCF policies and requirements.
• Provide technical inputs for donor reports and evaluations.
• Support adaptive management by identifying lessons and recommending corrective actions.
• Contribute to knowledge dissemination at national, regional, and global forums.

Lead capacity development and knowledge transfer:

• Mentor and train national counterparts and project personnel.
• Promote South-South exchanges and international partnerships.
• Facilitate institutional learning for long-term sustainability.
• Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application.

Provide technical guidance on digital, hydro-meteorological, and engineering solutions and ensure quality assurance of technical outputs:

• Ensure integration of hydrological and meteorological monitoring into EWS.
• Advise on ICT platforms and digital tools for risk forecasting.
• Guide adaptation of engineering interventions to fragile mountain environments.
• Review and validate engineering designs, hydrological studies, and management frameworks.
• Provide peer review of reports, guidelines, and knowledge products.
• Establish mechanisms for technical oversight and risk management.

Strengthen sustainability and policy integration 

• Advise on mainstreaming GLOF risk reduction into national adaptation policies.
• Promote institutional ownership and financing pathways for scale-up.
• Ensure gender and social inclusion principles are integrated.

Advise and contribute to the mainstreaming of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) throughout program interventions:

• Drive the overall GESI agenda of the program, with support from the GESI Analyst and relevant team members and consultants/partners;
• Ensure that GESI is mainstreamed in all result areas of the project, based on solid analysis of inequality in power relations and their impact on federalism. Ensure targeted interventions are planned and implemented to promote inclusive governance and federalism, taking into account international best practices; 
• Provide strategic guidance to team members to establish a system for collecting gender and social inclusion related disaggregated data, impact stories and results that benefit males, females, persons with disabilities, gender and sexual minorities, other marginalized, vulnerable groups. 
• Advise in identifying the risks and challenges associated for their meaningful participation in the federalism process, particularly in service delivery.
• Ensure GESI is adequately captured in project progress reports, baseline survey and final project evaluation.
• Provide guidance to GESI Analysts to integrate transformative GESI approaches in the TA strategies that could be replicated in the governance system and process. 
• Advise in creating a safe working environment by developing respectful and safe organizational culture and supporting practices.
• Strictly Comply with the policies, strategies, code of conduct, guidelines on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).
• Strict compliance with the UNDP applicable rules, regulations and policies related to ethics and integrity
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the program. 

Competencies

Core competencies

• Achieve Results:  LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 
• Act with Determination:  LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion:  LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management 

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Digital & Innovation   

• Geospatial analysis - Skilled in techniques which study entities using their topological, geometric, or geographic properties.

Business Management

• Partnerships Management - Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Business Direction and Strategy                     

• System Thinking - Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Procurement  

• Strategic sourcing - Knowledge of strategic sourcing concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations

2030 Agenda: Planet 

• Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery - Mainstreaming/Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Adaptation into Development

2030 Agenda: Peace

• Governance - Participation and Inclusion

2030 Agenda: People              

• Gender - Innovation for Gender Equality

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Disaster Risk Management, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, or other relevant discipline is required. or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields in combination with an additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of master’s degree. 

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years (with a master’s degree) or 9 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in Climate Adaptation, Engineering, or Disaster Risk Reduction. 

Required skills

• Proven track record of strong networking with government, technical and community-level audiences.
• Proven experience in managing multiple tasks, meeting deadlines, and maintaining attention to detail.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating with media, government counterparts, and diverse partners.
• Demonstrated experience in working collaboratively in complex project environments.
• Proficiency in using computer applications such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other relevant software required for the role.

Desired skills

• Proven leadership in climate adaptation, DRR, and GLOF/EWS management.
• Strong ability to review technical outputs (engineering, hydro-met, ICT, safeguards).
• Proven capacity to develop operational protocols and training.
• Proven experience of gender and social inclusion in DRR and EWS
• Familiarity with EcoDRR, EWS, WMO frameworks and Sendai DRR targets.
• Experience in the Hindu Kush Himalayan context, GLOF risk reduction and monsoon flood risk reduction.
• Proven publication/knowledge product record.
• Experience working with UNDP, GCF, or other donor-funded projects, particularly in climate change adaptation or disaster risk reduction.
• Proven track record of sound knowledge of environmental and climate change issues in Nepal, including GLOFs, Eco-DRR, and early warning systems.

Required Language

• Fluency in English is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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