South Central Fire Learning Network

Background
ICIMOD is a regional knowledge development and learning centre serving the eight regional member countries of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. We're working to develop an economically and environmentally sound mountain ecosystem to improve the living standards of mountain populations -– now, and for the future. In line with its new Strategic Framework, ICIMOD is strengthening its capacity to develop new approaches to meet the growing challenges in the region posed by climate change and globalisation. ICIMOD has developed its Medium Term Action Plan, MTAP (2008-2012) in conjunction with a new five-year strategic framework organised around three programmes – Integrated Water and Hazard Management (IWHM), Environmental Change and Ecosystem Services (ECES), and Sustainable Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction (SLPR) – supported by a strong knowledge management division and specialists in gender, equity, governance, and economics, working together on programmes designed to help people adapt to climate change and improve their livelihood while protecting the environment.

The wetlands of HKH region are vulnerable to a wide range of human and environmentally-driven threats. Furthermore, climate change will dramatically affect these wetlands and the provision of their services as it will change the water cycle on which these wetlands depend. The ‘Himalayan Wetlands Initiative’ (HWI), a regional initiative of Ramsar Convention (1971) has been active to promote a regional cooperation for the conservation and wise use of Himalayan wetlands. ICIMOD has been actively contributing to the development of this regional initiative. In order to strengthen ICIMOD’s position as a regional knowledge centre on high altitude wetlands and to present its strong representation in the Ramsar Convention, ICIMOD is looking to employ an outstanding individual to further ICIMOD and its capacity in this subject.

Responsibilities

Within the ICIMOD’s strategic framework and MTAP the Wetland Specialist shall undertake the following tasks:

1. Work as a focal point of the HWI secretariat at ICIMOD and thereby liaise with Ramsar Secretariat, regional member countries and focal points, and other partners to support HWI.
2. Develop research proposal on wetland related issues and take leadership in the implementation of regional projects in the field of Himalayan Wetlands.
3. Carry out research and knowledge development and compilation in the field of wetlands keeping in view the target recipients who are policy- and decision makers since ICIMOD’s work aims at bridging the gap between research and policy.
4. Coordinate for the programme development, communication with partners, organize workshops and seminars and promote ICIMOD activities in wetlands.
5. Develop and maintain a constructive dialogue with stakeholders in the region and beyond in the field of wetlands, and in doing so foster partnerships with national, regional and global stakeholders for strategic collaboration.
6. Be a team player within ICIMOD to support both IWHM and ECES and promote organization goals and objectives working closely with colleagues within and outside the IWHM programme to contribute to a constructive and professional working environment and to the development of ICIMOD as a fully integrated mountain development centre.

Qualifications
ICIMOD’s mandate and working approach is of transboundary and regional nature, and the wetland specialist shall have a good understanding of the regional dimensions of wetland as well as the positioning of this work in a global context. The position requires a person with a regional overview. In fostering wetland work within ICIMOD, the selected person has to take particular consideration of marginalized and vulnerable groups living in hills and mountains as well as need to know how to mainstream gender perspective in wetlands. Without neglecting the importance of ‘technical’ solutions in the field of wetlands, the wetland specialist should spearhead ‘social inclusion’ and a people perspective’ in ICIMODs wetland work.

• The minimum qualification required for this job is a postgraduate degree, preferably Ph.D., in wetlands or natural resources management.  
• 5 years of minimum work experience in the field of wetlands, of which part preferably has been gained in the HKH region.
• Experience in research, and a documented record of publications in the field of wetlands.
• Ability to prepare project proposals, progress reports, skills in project planning, negotiation skills with Government/Research officials and performance assessment.
• Strong managerial and administrative experience in project management, project monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Experience of working in multi-cultural and interdisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication and writing skills in English.

Duration: 3 years, of which the first six months is probation.

Starting Date: 1 April 2009 or as early as possible.

Remuneration: Salaries and benefits of ICIMOD are highly competitive compared to other regional organizations; remuneration is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Applications with complete curriculum vitae together with the names and contact addresses of three referees should be sent to the following address not later than 28 February 2009.

HRD Officer
ICIMOD
GPO Box 3226, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: (977-1) 5003222    
Fax: (977-1) 5003299 / 5003277
e-mail: hrd@icimod.org