UNDP Jobs - 37622- Senior Technical Advisor (STA)

Senior Technical Advisor (STA) - Component 1 (GLOF) NPPP IV (for Nepalese nationals only) - NEX Project

Location :

Kathmandu with frequent travel to the project implementation areas, NEPAL

Type of Contract :

Other

Starting Date :

01-Aug-2013

Application Deadline :

20-Jul-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Other

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year with possibility of extension

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Community Based Flood and Glacial Lake Outburst Risk Reduction Project is a joint initiative between The Government of Nepal (GON) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project will be implemented under National Execution/Implementation Modality (NEX/NIM) by Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) under Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MoSTE) as the lead Implementing Agency. The major source of funding to this project comes from the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) managed by Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project contributes to NAPA Profile 3 ‘Community-Based Disaster Management for Facilitating Climate Adaptation’ and Profile 4 ‘GLOF Monitoring and Disaster Risk Reduction’. The project was developed by UNDP with the technical assistance of ICIMOD following wider consultations at different levels. The project duration is for four years from 2013 to 2017. This project aims to help the GON to overcome some of the key barriers to manage the growing risks of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) in the High Mountains and flooding in the Tarai and Churia Range of Southern Nepal through a strong emphasis on community engagement, empowerment and social inclusion.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Senior technical Advisor (STA) will work under the direct supervision and guidance of the NPM and NPD. The incumbent will be mainly responsible for leading the Community based GLOF Risk Management team and supporting the NPM with the effective and smooth implementation of project activities in achieving the project outputs as appropriate and for facilitating the flow of technical advisory, innovative experiences, training and other inputs to the GLOF Risk management Community, DHM staff and other concerned line agencies. The STA will be responsible for quality control and advisory services of the GLOF component of the project. Specifically the STA-1 will:

Work on action research and innovative strategy related to GLOF risk reduction/mitigation in Imja Lake;
Work in close coordination with the design consultant and help to finalize the designs assuring a risk-free implementation plan;
Provide advisory support to implement the community based early warning system in the area;
Provide inputs to the consultants and project staffs regarding the impact of the past GLOF which occurred in Nepal;
Assist NPM to prepare reports, guidelines and operational modalities on GLOF Risk reduction;
Develop guidelines, strategies and plans for GLOF risk reduction activities for each cluster;
Work as a trainer and resource persons in the training organized by the project for developing trained human resource on GLOF risk reduction;
Prepare a quarterly progress report on all activities being done for the implementation of all project activities of the component 1;
Provide additional support as requested by the NPM and as required to make this project a success.
Support to develop partnership in implementation of early warning installation activities with other programs and projects;
Support DHM/DWIDP to study GLOF impact and mitigation plans in synergy with other programs and projects;
Support and promote gender equality and social inclusion in project activities as well as among the project staff.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Knowledge Management and Learning

Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
In-depth knowledge on development and gender and social inclusion issues;
Oral and written communication skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Solid experience in leading strategic planning and results-based management;
Solid experience in formulating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating work plans and programmes.

Personal Competencies:

Excellent interpersonal skills;
Focuses on impact and results and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors, at the senior levels;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's degree in applied science such as, hydrology, meteorology, glaciology, alpine geology or related field or PhD in glaciologist, alpine geology or related field.

Experience:

For Master’s degree holder, at least 10 years of working experience in GLOF impact studies with at least one successful research project on the impacts on GLOF;
For PhD degree holder, at least 7 years working experience in the above fields;
Experience in GIS, Remote Sensing and Simulation of GLOF would be a preferred and an added advantage;
The candidate should have relevant experiences of working with government agencies, financial institutions and in the region;
Working experience with bi-lateral and multi-lateral development agencies will be given priority;
Experience on planning, monitoring and evaluation of community based projects will be an added advantage;
The candidate must be computer literate.

Language:

Fluency in written and spoken in Nepali and English is required.