Title: Public Relations Officer (open for Nepali nationals only)
Division: Directorate

ICIMOD – a unique regional intergovernmental learning and knowledge centre based in Nepal – is looking for a qualified and experienced Public Relations Officer (PRO) who will support our Directorate to promote ICIMOD’s brand image and manage its public relations. 

This is a very exciting and challenging position that will play a critical role in strengthening our relations and cooperation with our member countries, development partners, knowledge and implementation partners, as well as the media. In particular, the PRO will support any engagements the Directorate has regionally and internationally and – among others – will assist the Directorate in managing and coordinating high-profile events towards implementing the HKH Call to Action. 

We are looking for a public relations professional with varied experience who demonstrates excellent human relation and communication skills to support the Directorate. The candidate should be someone with proven organisational skills, critical situational analysis skills, and excellent comprehension of our core areas of competence, plans, and programmes, besides being innovative and motivated to make a positive difference. 

The PRO will be based in Kathmandu, Nepal, and working with a multidisciplinary, cross-cultural, and impact-oriented team within a vibrant working environment. 

Main responsibilities and tasks 

The PRO will report to the Director of Administration and Finance, with a functional reporting line to the Director General, and will also work in close guidance from the Deputy Director General. The PRO will work in close cooperation with other relevant units, especially the Communication Unit. The officer will be responsible for the following: 

1. ICIMOD Regional Member Countries relations management

ICIMOD’s new Strategy 2030 lays out the need for enhanced regional cooperation as a key strategic objective requiring increased engagement with the nodal agencies of our member countries and other partners. To support increased engagement leading to enhanced regional cooperation, the PRO will:

• Provide support to engagements and communications as well as managing and organising all meetings of the Board of Governors
• Coordinate with respective agencies to maintain an updated list of observers and members of the Board of Governors and key partners of each Regional Member Country
• Ensure that the Board members are regularly updated on ICIMOD’s engagement in the country and in the region
• Support the Directorate in its responsibilities within the HKH Call to Action, which may include organising meetings and events towards establishing a high-level institutional mechanism for the HKH region 
• Organise annual country consultation meetings and other meetings as needed in each member country in liaison with other relevant units
• Regularly monitor and report to the Directorate the profile and image of ICIMOD in the RMCs

2. Host country relations management

Nepal as our host country has always been supportive of ICIMOD and offered a conducive environment for its operations. It is ICIMOD’s imperative to ensure that the close working relationship that it enjoys with the Government of Nepal is maintained. Thus, as part of their role and under the supervision of the Director of Administration and Finance, the PRO will:

• Regularly maintain contacts with the concerned authorities of Nepal: National Planning Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and relevant line ministries
• Liaise with relevant focal persons to resolve administrative issues that may arise 

3. Communication and public relations support to the Directorate 

ICIMOD directors engage in a variety of communication activities to ensure that the institution maintains a high profile regionally and internationally. The Directorate also hosts and participates in many conferences, seminars, workshops, and meetings. To assist in maximising the institutional profile from the Directorate level across all communication and public relations activities, the PRO in close cooperation with Head of Communication will:

• Advise the Directorate on strategic communication and public relations measures 
• Coordinate maximising the institutional profile from the Directorate level
• Develop and manage an annual calendar of institutional events in collaboration with other internal working units
• Advise and prepare for Directorate involvement in key institutional and external events 
• Support in maximising the Directorate’s effectiveness at events by researching, tracking, and preparing background materials for relevant events  
• Draft speeches and statements for the Directorate’s event engagements
• Coordinate Directorate-level events including formal meetings of the Board of Governors
• Serve as the host for opening and closing sessions of high-level institutional events 
• Monitor action points from Directorate- and other high-level institutional events and report progress to ensure fulfilment of recommendations

4. High-level visitor coordination

ICIMOD has many opportunities to host high-level dignitaries from its member countries as well as from the ICIMOD Support Group countries and organisations. To ensure that our hospitality is gracious, respectful, and well-managed, the PRO will:

• Develop a standard operating procedure for coordinating high-level visits
• Receive and brief VIPs at the airport and provide briefs as needed in liaison with relevant ICIMOD resource persons 
• Coordinate the communication with the focal person/s of the visiting dignitary or dignitaries in developing the programme
• Work closely with relevant ICIMOD staff for preparing and attending all meetings with high-level visitors
• Coordinate venues and presentations for high-level visits
• Prepare draft press releases, social media posts, and any other required communications materials about and for the visit in close collaboration with other relevant units 
• Maintain a roster of high-level visitors and a record of follow-up points from meetings, taking responsibility for ensuring that follow up is efficient and effective 

Minimum qualifications and skills requirements

• Master’s degree in public relations, journalism, communications, human relations, or a related field, with additional relevant experience and/or advanced training/courses. A first-level university degree in combination with four years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• At least 5 years of progressive experience in journalism and event management at international and national levels 
• Work experience gained in one of ICIMOD’s Regional Member Countries is a strong added advantage 
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English. Knowledge of additional languages will be valuable.

Competencies

• Efficiency in organisation: Ability to organise and coordinate events efficiently including effective use of resources for the desired outcomes   
• Impactful communication: Is a good communicator with clarity in articulation of messages and listener, able to convey thoughts and ideas clearly and concisely
• Cross-cultural impact: Adapts to various customs and practices 
• Teamwork and cooperation: Solicits ideas and opinions to help form specific plans and take decisions cohesively 
• Result and impact orientation: Takes responsibility for fulfilling challenging goals set in line with organizational processes
• Behavioural flexibility and managing change: Adapts to change and adjusts to new circumstances while helping others do the same
• Analytical thinking: Uses logical thinking to solve problems, develop plans, and contribute to the decision-making process while taking different viewpoints into account 
• Continuous improvement and innovation: Seeks to improve work processes by implementing new practices and technologies 
• Developing others: Supports a culture of learning and provides feedback on the performance of others, including adherence to protocol

Reporting lines
The PRO will report to the Director of Administration and Finance. 

Duty station
The duty station is Kathmandu; frequent travel in the region may be required.

Duration 
Three years, with a probation period of six months, preferable starting as soon as possible, with a possibility of extension subject to performance and ICIMOD’s future funding levels.

Remuneration

Salaries and benefits at ICIMOD are competitive with other international organisations. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, which includes provident fund, health insurance, severance pay, education grant, and paid leave. For expatriates, there is tax exemption in Nepal; they are responsible for home country tax payments as applicable. Expatriate staff are also entitled to home leave ticket, as well as a removal and installation allowance.  

Remuneration is competitive and 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 organisational and programmatic levels.