Vacancy Announcement: ICIMOD Glacio-Hydrologist

Title: Glacio-Hydrologist

Action Area : Strengthening Upstream-Downstream Linkages

Programme: Integrated Water and Hazard Management

BackgroundICIMOD is a regional knowledge development and learning centre serving the eight regional member countries of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas (HKH) – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. The centre is working to develop an economically and environmentally sound mountain ecosystem to improve the living standards of mountain populations -– now, and for the future. In line with its current Strategic Framework, ICIMOD is strengthening its capacity to develop new approaches to meet the growing challenges in the region posed by climate change and globalisation.
The Integrated Water and Hazard Management (IWHM) programme has as its main goal developing and achieving recognition of ICIMOD as a competent reference centre for regional knowledge, information, and skills related to water and hazards. The programme is building a credible research base, appropriate technologies, and integrated approaches, developed in full consultation with national and regional partners. It aims to contribute to improved assessment of snow, ice, and water resources; disaster risk reduction; and managing risks and benefits of upstream-downstream linkages in a holistic way. In this regard, ICIMOD, in collaboration with partners from Nepal and regional and international institutions and with support from Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Nepal, is implementing a project entitled ’Monitoring and Assessment of Changes in Glaciers, Snow, and Glacio-hydrology in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas – with special focus on strengthening the capacity of Nepalese organisations’ (the HKH Cryopshere Monitoring Project, CMP).
Among the five components of CMP, Component 2 is entitled ’Assessment of current and future water resources at catchment and sub-basin scale’, for which the following specific outputs are envisaged:1) strengthened and expanded long-term monitoring of hydrological and meteorological variables; 2) short-term intensive hydro-meteorological campaigns; 3) glacio-hydrological and snow melt model set-up for the pilot catchments; and 4) scenarios of climate change downscaled to the catchment and sub-basin scales to derive future water availability scenarios. 

Responsibilities and tasks

Under the overall guidance of the Programme Manager, IWHM, and the direct supervision of the Coordinator Cryosphere Monitoring Project, the Glacio-hydrologist will perform the tasks outlined below

• Contribute to the design and implementation of national and regional training courses, workshops, and seminars related to the project
• Contribute in establishing hydrological and meteorological observatories in the study sites, operate those observatories, and manage the observational data
• Design and participate in field missions and research programmes as and when necessary, most often in collaboration with national partners for hydro-meteorological stations establishment, maintenance and operation
• Support application of hydrological models for the study sites using snow and glacier melt runoff models, downscale climate change scenarios, and apply the scenarios to assess water availability at the sub-basin scale
• Provide insight on the effects of climate changes on the cryosphere, their implications for downstream water availability, and what such changes may mean to society in general and people’s livelihoods in particular; and assist on analysis of water availability scenarios on the sub-basin scale
• Participate actively in ICIMOD activities and discussions related to climate change, the cryosphere, and hydrology
• Conduct dialogue with national stakeholders in connection with the implementation of project activities
• Develop and maintain a constructive dialogue with stakeholders in the region and beyond in the fields of cryosphere and hydrology; in doing so, foster partnerships with national, regional, and global stakeholders for strategic collaboration in these fields
• Contribute to the development of new project and programme components where cryosphere and hydrology have a place
• Carry out internal quality control and backstopping in ICIMOD’s delivery of hydro-meteorological data, services, and knowledge products in the fields of cryosphere and hydrology
• Work as a team player within ICIMOD, support related activities, and promote institutional goals

Minimum Qualifications

• Postgraduate academic degree, M.Sc. or Ph.D., in glacio-hydrology
• A minimum of five years of varied experience in glacio-hydrology and snow and glacier melt modelling
• Good knowledge on establishing, operating, and maintaining hydrological and meteorological instruments in a high-altitude environment and on managing and analysing hydrometeorological data
• Knowledge of Global Circulation Model (GCM) outputs applicable for the HKH region and of downscaling of climate scenarios
• Good insight on progresses, methodologies, tools, techniques, and findings related to climate change and glacio-hydrology in the region and globally
• Knowledge of glacier mass balance assessment and other glaciological techniques is a plus
• Ability to work independently with a strong sense of professionalism and self-discipline, as well as an ability to take initiative when needed
• Knowledge of geographic information systems and remote sensing 
• Experience and ability to carry out field visits to high-altitude remote locations in the HKH region
• Ability to prepare project proposals, progress reports, etc. for submission to ICIMOD’s sponsors; skills in project planning, negotiation and assessment
• Ability to prepare articles for peer-reviewed journals
• Experience and ease in working with multidisciplinary teams, particularly with international or regional agencies, and in working with colleagues and collaborators of different national and cultural backgrounds

Competencies

• Computer ability: Word processing, spreadsheets, statistical packages, GIS & RS software, computer programming (e.g. FORTRAN)
• Internet literacy: email, Internet search, participation in list-serves or electronic conferences
• Language skills: demonstrated ability to speak and write professionally, fluently, and grammatically in English; knowledge of other regional languages highly desirable
• Health: physical fitness to undertake frequent travel to remote and difficult mountainous regions

Duty Station

The duty station is Kathmandu; frequent travelling in the region may be required

Duration

Three years, of which the first six months are probation, and subject to future funding levels of ICIMOD

Remuneration

Salaries and benefits are competitive at International level 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 implements a gender fair policy and is supportive of working women. It operates a Day-Care Centre at the campus and is committed to gender mainstreaming at the organisational and programmatic levels.

Method of application

Applicants are requested to apply online before 8 July 2011 through ICIMOD's online application system.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.