Title: Research Associate (project position; open for Nepali nationals only)
Theme: Livelihoods 
Initiative: Resilient Mountain Solutions Initiative/Building Resilience of Agro-ecosystem and Community Empowerment (BRACE) project

Summary

We are looking for someone who is a passionate researcher, results driven, and motivated to make a difference. You will be based in Kathmandu, Nepal, and working in a cross-cultural, impact-oriented environment, primarily focusing on contribution to technical aspects of the project activities and gender equality and social inclusion issues in project implementation. 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 Hindu Kush Himalaya as ICIMOD moves into its new Strategy 2030 period from 2023.

Responsibilities and tasks

This position is within our new project − Building Resilience of Agro-ecosystem and Community Empowerment (BRACE), under the Resilient Mountain Solutions (RMS) Initiative. The BRACE project aims to improve climate-resilient agricultural practices for wider adoption within the Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces and beyond through action research, including on-farm demonstrations; evidence-based knowledge generation; and scaling up at the municipal, provincial, and national levels. The project has identified 19 municipalities (10 in Sudurpaschim and 9 in Karnali provinces) and aims to directly benefit 2,500 households. This position is expected to contribute to technical aspects of the project activities and significantly contribute to gender equality and social inclusion issues in project implementation.

Under the direct supervision of the Theme Leader of Livelihoods, in close cooperation with the Project Coordinator of BRACE, and under the overall guidance of the Regional Programme Manager (Adaptation and Resilience Building), the Research Associate will have the following broad duties and responsibilities:

• Provide inputs to identify BRACE-related activities, design, and implementation 
• Provide technical support to implementing partners for testing and demonstration of climate-resilient technologies/practices in pilot sites
• Collect, review, and consolidate various data on climate-resilient agricultural technologies/practices
• Liaise with implementing partners
• Assist and coordinate to organise various training and capacity-building events for the project
• Assist in review and planning meetings of the project

Specific tasks

• Support gender equality and social inclusion interventions at the municipal and provincial levels
• Collect gender-disaggregated data and prepare reports and relevant knowledge products
• Support the project team in organising and reporting local, provincial, national, and regional workshops and events from a content perspective
• Assist the project coordinator in timely collection, review, and preparation of consolidated draft technical progress report and other required reports

Minimum qualifications and requirements 

• A master’s degree in agriculture, natural resources management, environmental sciences, or related subjects with at least two years of relevant work experience and experience in gender and social inclusion is required. A first-level university degree in combination with four additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Experience working in the field, and willingness to travel to remote districts of Nepal
• Excellent English communication and report writing skills (in English and Nepali) and analytical skills with an ability to understand and contextualise research and demonstration results to be presented in a coordinated manner to external stakeholders
• Knowledge on using statistical software like R, Excel, and PowerPoint as well as good working understanding of data management software 

Competencies 

• Teamwork and cooperation: Works collaboratively in a team, seeking opinions and feedback to find solutions and meet team objectives
• Result orientation: Takes responsibility for fulfilling challenging goals set in line with organisational processes
• Cross-cultural impact: Adjusts to cultural differences to ensure broad participation
• Continuous improvement and innovation: Continually improves work processes and questions status quo practices, traditions, and assumptions
• Analytical thinking: Seeks out information and does research to understand problems
• Self-development: Positive attitude towards learning and professional development
• Developing others: Facilitates effective operational results and compliance

Duty station

• The duty station is Kathmandu. Frequent travel and field work in Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces of Nepal will be required.

Duration:

• This is a non-renewable project position, initially for one year, with a probation period of three months, starting as early as possible. Extensions are possible subject to performance and ICIMOD’s future funding levels, with the entire contract period not extending beyond 31 October 2024. 

Remuneration 

• Salaries and benefits of ICIMOD are competitive; 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 organisational and programmatic levels.