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.

Position Overview 
This position seeks a dynamic, creative professional with a passion for web technologies. They will ensure that the institution's web portals are updated, maintained and developed to facilitate ICIMOD’s digital presence and web-based knowledge delivery. Additionally, they will also create/develop new portals and actively look for solutions to technical errors and glitches that occur in the web portals or services related to it. They will be working in a cross-cultural, impact-oriented environment, primarily focused on the operations, maintenance, and development of ICIMOD’s web portals.

Responsibilities
The Communications Associate–Web will be responsible for supporting the delivery of results in line with the commitments we have made in our Strategy 2030: Moving Mountains and our Medium-Term Action Plan V (2023–2026): Embracing Change and Accelerating Impact.

1. Update content on the various web portals according to brand guidelines:

• Closely work with colleagues to obtain content to be posted on the web portals.
• Identify proper taxonomies, such as categories and tags to be integrated on the content.
• Implement proper Search Engine Optimisation practices such as proper keywords and meta tags.
• Check branding guidelines are intact to preserve visual consistency.

2. Develop full (or a part of) web-based portals, micro-sites, and collaborative platforms when required:

• Identify requirements of ICIMOD’s Strategic Groups and others to develop web-based portals when requested.
• Use WordPress and the various tools and plugins available to create portals that resonate with the requirements.

3. Ensure smooth running of web portals by applying necessary security measures:

• Perform periodic security audits to check vulnerabilities and apply necessary measures including file permissions, user password strength, IP restrictions and others.
• Check website downtime regularly and resolve issues as and when they occur.

4. Perform timely maintenance of the web portals, including system updates and backups of files and databases:

• Check performance of web portals and apply necessary optimisation measures such as cache, asset loads and others.
• Make periodic updates of WordPress and plugins after ensuring compatibility between them.
• Ensure periodic backup of files and databases are intact.

5. Proactively look for solutions on the web and application’s support portals to correct various errors, bugs, and downtimes - as and when they occur:

• Check public forums and niche online communities for solutions to swiftly correct various errors that might occur.
• Liaise with service providers such as server host, plugin developers in their support network in case solutions cannot be found on public forums.

6. Provide suggestions to optimise, improve and enhance the technical aspects of the web portals:

• Keep up with the latest web technology news and engage with the tech community to increase knowledge.
• Engage in discussion with the web team and/or the communications unit to suggest feature improvements on existing and future aspects of the web portals.

7. Guide colleagues on web-related issues when required, such as populating content, news-digest and interactive web pages.

• Provide support to the institution’s colleagues in web-based applications, including but not limited to web portals, blogs, newsletters, etc.

Person Specification/Competencies 

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree (with 4 years’ experience) or Master’s degree (with 2 years’ experience ) in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Experience in WordPress website development and customisation, including working with WordPress themes and plugins. 
• Proficient knowledge of HTML, CSS, PHP, JavaScript and MySQL in creating tailored web solutions.
• Familiarity with troubleshooting and debugging of system problems.
• Proven ability to use standard Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). 
• Good verbal and written communication skills in order to communicate effectively within the unit and the institution to support web-related tasks, and with external service providers (such as data centres, module developers, etc.) to resolve web related issues and solutions.

Preferred

• Understanding of SEO principles and their integration into WordPress websites.
• Knowledge of SharePoint, Power Automate and other intranet tools within Microsoft Office365.
• Experience working in an international organisation with people from a wide range of cultures and nationalities.
• Understanding of or experience with sustainable development issues specific to mountain regions is an advantage.

Reporting and Supervising
The Communications Associate–Web will report to the Communications Officer – Web and work under the overall guidance of the Head of Communications. The Web Associate will also work in close collaboration to support the communication requirements of the institution. 

Location
You will be working in a cross-cultural, impact-oriented environment at ICIMOD’s head office in Kathmandu, Nepal. Occasional travel in the HKH region could be required.

Duration 
One year, with a probation period of three months. There is a possibility of extension subject to performance and ICIMOD’s future funding levels.

Remuneration
This is a local position for Nepali nationals only. The starting annual gross salary for this position is NPR 888,100/- (negotiable based on experience and qualifications). Gross salary comprises of basic salary, provident fund, family/post adjustment allowance, medical allowance, and child/dependency allowances. Salaries and benefits at ICIMOD are competitive compared with other international organisations. 

We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes insurances (medical, life and accidental), children’s education grant for maximum 2 children below 18 years of age, severance pay, paid leave (30 holidays and 10 public holidays per year) and day care facility.

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 [including child abuse], by our staff, representatives, or stakeholders is not condoned or tolerated.

Method of Application 
Applicants are requested to apply online before December 08, 2024 (11:59 PM Nepal Standard Time) through Mero Jobs portal.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.