We are looking for someone who is passionate about understanding and providing evidence-based insights and solutions to address the adverse impacts of poor air quality in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region. The role will focus on building capacity and capabilities to monitor air quality across the region, as well as supporting the effective interpretation and communication of data in clear and impactful ways. Partners and stakeholders across the HKH region recognise the need to tackle poor air quality, and there is strong growth potential for ICIMOD around supporting efforts on air quality management. 

The applicant must be results driven and motivated to make a difference. You will be based in Kathmandu, Nepal, and working in a cross-cultural, impact-oriented environment. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who values partnerships and diversity, is passionate about mountains and people, and is committed to helping build a greener, more inclusive, climate-resilient HKH. 

As ICIMOD moves into its new Strategy 2030: Moving Mountains delivery period from 2023, one of the impact areas we have identified is working to reduce adverse impacts of poor air quality while achieving climate change mitigation co-benefits. Find out more about ICIMOD’s strategic groups and action areas in our Medium-Term Action Plan V (2023-2026): Embracing Change and Accelerating Impact.

Responsibilities 

The Air Quality Specialist will work under Action Area B: Stimulating Action for Clean Air. The specialist will work on air quality monitoring, produce periodic air quality assessments based on data generated by ICIMOD and partner organisations, and contribute to capacity-building efforts and communications with policy and decision makers.

Under the direct supervision of the Action Area B Coordinator and the general guidance of the Strategic Group Lead for Reducing Climate and Environmental Risks, the Air Quality Specialist will take forward ICIMOD’s work relating to air quality monitoring and analysis, ensuring that all activities are delivered in line with the commitments made in ICIMOD’s Strategy 2030, MTAP V, and 2023–2026 Results Framework. This entails the following duties and responsibilities:

• Assisting our government partners across the HKH region to establish and maintain air quality observatories, conduct field measurements, and perform desk analyses and assessments to quantify the impact of air pollution in the region.
• Proposing, planning, and managing field measurements and instrument inter-comparison activities to deliver harmonised standards and protocols across the HKH countries, and also playing a key role in building the capacity of the HKH countries in air quality monitoring.
• Improving measurement and analytical methodologies, as well as ensuring that the latest innovations and developments around air quality monitoring are brought into the HKH countries to significantly enhance the capacity of the region to collect, collate, and interpret data on air quality.
• Ensuring that high-quality measurements of trace gas concentration and aerosol concentration, composition, size distribution, and optical properties are delivered from observatories in the HKH countries and from ICIMOD’s observatory.
• Analysing air quality model data in situ and via remote sensing, and using this analysis to prepare assessments and contribute to communication and outreach activities in coordination with ICIMOD colleagues, partners from HKH countries, and international partner organisations.
• Supporting partnerships and collaborations with other research centres, both within HKH countries and internationally.
• Preparing high-quality and applied knowledge and communication products, including research reports, publications, and assessments and also communication products for non-specialists (e.g. policy and decision makers.)
• Supervising, coaching, and training relevant staff on air quality monitoring and supporting team building.

Minimum qualifications and experience 

We are looking for someone with extensive knowledge of air quality instrumentation, preferably someone who has contributed to building in-situ instruments from original design, as well as someone with significant experience in operation, maintenance of in-situ air quality observatories/stations, and data analysis. 

ESSENTIAL

• A PhD degree in a relevant field of study (e.g. atmospheric science, environmental engineering, natural/physical sciences) with at least three years of experience working in atmospheric and/or air quality observations. A master’s degree in a relevant subject, in combination with five years’ qualifying experience, will be accepted in lieu of the PhD degree.
• Significant experience in all aspects of air quality monitoring, including building, operating, maintaining, calibrating, and repairing instruments to measure aerosol and trace gases, and also data collection and analysis, including setting protocols and standards.
• Experience with instrument programming and with managing data logging, transmission, and archiving.
• Experience with aerosol size distribution, composition, and optical properties, and a good understanding of atmospheric chemistry (gas and aerosol), atmospheric dynamics, atmospheric microphysics, and climate science.
• Track record of excellent communications, including strong presentational and writing skills, including high-quality publications and other outreach materials.
• Experience of policy and/or decision-making processes relating to air quality.

PREFERRED 

• Experience with capacity building.
• Experience in the HKH region.

Reporting and supervising

• The Air Quality Specialist will report to the Action Area B Coordinator. The specialist will also work in close collaboration with other staff in this action area and other action areas, where relevant. 

Location

You will be working in a cross-cultural, impact-oriented environment at ICIMOD’s head office in Kathmandu, Nepal. Frequent travel in the HKH region will be required. Kathmandu is a lively and exciting place to live. People are friendly, living costs are comparatively inexpensive, food is delicious (with a range of local and international cuisines), and there are good local and international schools and a low crime rate. Nepal offers amazing trekking trails, white water rafting, and safaris, combined with a rich culture and charming yet lively nightlife.  

Duration 

Three years, with a probation period of six months. There is a possibility of extension subject to performance and ICIMOD’s future funding levels.

Remuneration

This is an international position at ICIMOD. Remuneration is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Salaries and benefits at ICIMOD are competitive compared with other international organisations. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a provident fund, health insurance, severance pay, children’s education grant, and paid leave (30 holidays and 10 public holidays per year). 

For expatriates, there is a tax exemption in Nepal; they are responsible for their home country’s tax payments. Expatriate staff are entitled to housing allowance, annual home leave ticket, shipment of personal effects, and an installation and removal allowance.

ICIMOD’s core values 

Our core values are integrity, neutrality, relevance, inclusiveness, openness, and ambition. These values are an expression of our culture and are central to the guiding beliefs and principles of our work and behaviour. Our core values will lie at the heart of ICIMOD operations and delivery. They will underpin everything we do and frame how we work with our partners. They reflect our founding intentions and the balances we seek to hold, while equipping ourselves for the future. 

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and safeguarding 

ICIMOD’s human resource selection process is based on the qualifications and competence of the applicants. As an employer, ICIMOD is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and offers equal opportunities to applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life, including but not limited to gender, age, national origin, religion, race, caste, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or social status. ICIMOD strongly encourages applications from all eligible applicants, especially women, from all parts of the HKH region.

ICIMOD is dedicated to establishing and upholding a safe and nurturing work environment, where all its employees can participate fully and meaningfully without fear of violence, harassment, exploitation, or intimidation. Any type of abuse or harassment, including sexual misconduct, by our staff, representatives, or stakeholders is not condoned or tolerated.

Background to ICIMOD

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), based in Kathmandu, Nepal, is the leading institute for the study of the HKH. An intergovernmental knowledge and development organisation with a focus on climate and environmental risks, green economies, and sustainable collective action, we have worked in our eight regional member countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan – since our foundation.

Entering our 40th year, ICIMOD is perfectly positioned to support the transformative action required for the HKH to face the challenges of the escalating effects of climate change, pollution, water insecurity, increased disaster risk, biodiversity loss, and widespread socioeconomic changes. We seek to raise our ambition to support the required transformative action to step up our engagement through to 2030.