Position: Knowledge Park Associate (Open for Nepali Nationals only)

Unit: Knowledge Management and Communication

Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Head of KMC, the Knowledge Park Associate will work closely with colleagues serving on the Knowledge Park Technical Committee and others with technical expertise to position the ICIMOD Knowledge Park in Godavari and will be responsible for the following tasks:

Management

• Provide supervision and guidance to the staff working in the Knowledge Park
• Provide reports related to the work of the Knowledge Park 
• Manage the Knowledge Park and ICIMOD headquarters gardening staff with sensitivity to gender and cultural needs and aspirations while maintaining discipline and highest ethical standards
• Proactively maintain and update ongoing demonstrations of technologies, farming systems, biodiversity conservation, income generation, and nursery management and seedlings production 
• Help conceptualize further development of the Knowledge Park as part of a network of skill/entrepreneurship centres within Nepal and in other HKH countries 
• Facilitate at least 5,000 visitors each year (farmers, students, development workers, planners/managers, and policy/decision makers from the HKH region and other donor countries) and organize presentations, interactions, and guided study tours to the Knowledge Park and neighbouring villages to enable sharing of information and transfer of skills and technologies
• Promote the Godavari landscape journey process by collaborating closely with multiple stakeholders, including villagers and various groups such as local bodies, community forest user groups, women’s groups, schools, local NGOs, businesses, etc., to address key environmental issues of the Godavari landscape/springshed 

Internal promotion and liaising

• Work closely with themes and initiatives and support regional programmes to replicate technologies and best practices from Godavari (pilot project sites)
• Work as a team player within ICIMOD to support other activities and promote institutional goals
• Work with colleagues from the RMCs to showcase appropriate farming techniques and technologies in the Knowledge Park
• Work with the Eco Club at ICIMOD to organize awareness activities for staff
• Work with the media unit to promote the Knowledge Park and showcase its special features

External promotion 

• Network through participation in national, regional, and international fairs and exhibitions to share and promote the Knowledge Park to wider audiences
• Network with schools, colleges, and universities to promote the Knowledge Park as an outdoor learning centre
• Organize customized nature tours, such as bird and butterfly walks, in collaboration with conservation organizations and wildlife enthusiasts

Capacity development

• Conduct hands-on trainings for farmers, partners, development workers, and government agencies from the HKH region

Minimum qualifications and requirements

This position is one where it is expected that individual commitment to environmental stewardship and care for the landscape will underlie dedication and motivation in the work; thus, there is a recognition that relevant academic credentials and professional experience may have come from any variety of fields. The position requires passion for biodiversity conservation and a very good ability to work with a wide range of people within the Park, the landscape and, where relevant, nationally and regionally. 

At a minimum, the below are required: 

• A master’s degree with at least two years of relevant work experience is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 
• Excellent people skills and ability to manage, facilitate, document, and work with diverse stakeholders

Competencies

Teamwork and cooperation: Works collaboratively in a team, seeking opinions and feedback to find solutions and meet team objectives 

Results orientation: Takes responsibility for 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 and does research to understand problems

Continuous improvement and innovation: Seeks to improve work processes by implementing new practices and technologies 

Self-development: 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

Duty station 

• The duty station is Kathmandu. 

Duration

• One year, of which the first three months are probationary, with the possibility of extension subject to ICIMOD’s future funding levels and performance.

Remuneration

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

Gender and equity policy

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