Thematic Area: Water and Air
Regional Programme: Atmosphere

Background:

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) seeks to enable sustainable and resilient mountain development for improved and equitable livelihoods through knowledge and regional cooperation. 

ICIMOD is a regional intergovernmental learning and knowledge sharing centre serving the eight regional member countries of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. Working in partnership with regional and international organizations, ICIMOD aims to influence policy and practices to meet environmental and livelihood challenges emerging in the HKH. ICIMOD provides a platform for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers from the region and around the globe to generate and share knowledge, support evidence-based decision making, and encourage regional cooperation. ICIMOD delivers impact through its six Regional Programmes: 1) Adaptation and Resilience Building, 2) Transboundary Landscapes, 3) River Basins and Cryosphere, 4) Atmosphere, 5) Mountain Environment Regional Information System, and 6) Mountain Knowledge and Action Networks. These regional programmes are supported by four Thematic Areas of Livelihoods, Ecosystem Services, Water and Air, and Geospatial Solutions, and underpinned by Knowledge Management and Communication. ICIMOD seeks to contribute to reduce poverty and vulnerability and improve the lives and livelihoods of mountain women and men, now and in the future.

ICIMOD’s Water and Air Thematic Area houses competencies related to water and atmospheric issues. It fosters regional and transboundary exchange and dialogue to promote integrated water and land management and air quality monitoring. These competencies are applied in ICIMOD’s six Regional Programmes to foster inter and transdisciplinary research and development activities, thereby delivering a positive impact in the HKH. From physical, ecological, and social perspectives, the Water and Air Thematic Area analyzes the demand and future availability of water from mountains; cryosphere dynamics; rivers, springs, and watersheds; water-related hazards including floods and droughts; the potential impacts of climate and anthropogenic changes; hydropower development; and the role of hill and mountain irrigation in providing food security. The Thematic Area also focuses on improving quantitative understanding of atmospheric transport, chemicals and microphysical processes, emission sources within and up-wind of the region, and the impacts of atmospheric change on the health of poor communities and on the cryosphere. It focuses on developing solutions at a variety of scales, from community to national policy levels, and fostering regional cooperation. It also addresses transboundary issues, especially within the water–food–energy nexus, including benefit-sharing and building community resilience. Regional cooperation on atmospheric monitoring, data sharing, and mitigation is an important component of the Thematic work.

Atmospheric changes are increasingly affecting the wellbeing of people and ecosystems in the HKH region. Recent decades have seen rising emissions of air pollutants in the region from urban, industrial, and rural sources. ICIMOD’s Atmosphere Initiative was established on 1 January 2013, as part of the Regional Programme on Atmosphere, to improve our understanding of atmospheric issues and promote regional cooperation for addressing such issues in the HKH region. The Initiative has established several urban and remote observatories to understand urban air quality, transboundary air pollution, and black carbon concentration over glaciers. 

ICIMOD is inviting applications for the position of Trace Gas Measurement Research Associate to assist its Senior Atmosphere Scientists with the procurement of trace gas instruments, testing and installation, observatory development, maintenance, fieldwork, and basic analysis. The Trace Gas Measurement Research Associate will primarily be involved in the Atmosphere Initiative, working on atmospheric data visualization, backup, and linking to ICIMOD’s Regional Database System (RDS).

Responsibilities and Tasks:

Under the direct guidance and supervision of the Air Group Lead – Water and Air Thematic Area, and with technical direction from the Senior Atmospheric Scientists, the Trace Gas Measurement Research Associate will have the following duties and responsibilities:

• Conduct trace gases instrument testing, maintenance, and calibration 
• Analyze and visualize data, making tables on data availability from each observatory and linking the collected data to the RDS 
• Support the Senior Atmospheric Scientists in establishing and maintaining atmospheric observatories 
• Support the Senior Atmospheric Scientists in the instrument procurement process 
• Participate in field experiments in Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, and Myanmar 
• Contribute to writing knowledge products such as journal articles and posters, among other products

Qualifications and Experience:

• A postgraduate degree in Atmospheric Science or related subjects with at least one year of relevant work experience is required. A first-level university degree in combination with three years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 
• Familiarity with existing literature or databases on atmospheric measurements
• Proficiency in data visualization and analysis
• Understanding of basic instrument operation
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Basic knowledge in computer languages/programs 

Competencies:

• Teamwork and Cooperation: Works collaboratively in a team, seeking opinions and feedback to find solutions and meet team objectives
• Results Orientation: Takes responsibility of fulfilling challenging goals set in line with organizational processes
• Cross-Cultural Impact: Adjusts to cultural differences to ensure broad participation
• Analytical Thinking: Seeks out information that will support decision making and help achieve objectives
• Continuous Improvement and Innovation: Seeks to improve work processes by implementing new practices and technologies
• Self-Development: Displays a positive attitude towards learning and professional development.
• Developing Others: Provides feedback on the performance or output of others to smoothen working relations and operational workflow

Duration:

• This is a project position for in total maximum 2 years, initially for one year with a probation period of three months and a possibility of extension for a maximum of one year subject to performance and ICIMOD’s future funding levels.

Remuneration:

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

Duty station:

• The duty station is Kathmandu. Frequent travel and fieldwork will be required. 

Gender and Equity Policy:

• Qualified and eligible women candidates and those from disadvantaged backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply. ICIMOD implements a gender equity policy and is supportive of working women. It operates a day-care centre at the campus and is committed to the integration of gender issues at organizational and programmatic levels.