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Senior Livelihood Specialist and Programme Manager

Terms of Reference

Title: Senior Livelihood Specialist and Programme Manager

Programme: Sustainable Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction (SLPR)

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Background

ICIMOD 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. ICIMOD 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.

Sustainable Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction (SLPR) is one of ICIMOD’s three strategic thematic programmes. It aims to promote diversified and sustainable livelihood options in the HKH region with a clear focus on livelihood development and policy issues in relation with poverty and vulnerability in mountain areas. Topics include high-value mountain products and services and development of their value chains; the opportunities and challenges of labour migration; and sustainable mountain tourism. SLPR also provides expertise in issues of governance, policies, institutions, gender, and equity in support of ICIMOD’s goals.

Responsibilities and tasks

The Senior Livelihood Specialist and Programme Manager will be responsible for leading ICIMOD’s overall SLPR programme in the HKH region, assuring the quality, integration, planning, and implementation of ICIMOD activities in the regional member countries. S/He is expected to be familiar with the international development agenda and research, and to be aware of the strategic issues related to sustainable livelihoods, governance, and policy issues, particularly in the HKH region. The Programme Manager is also part of the management team of the organisation and must ensure the adequate representation of socioeconomic issues within ICIMOD’s programmes.

Reporting and Supervising

The Senior Livelihood Specialist and Programme Manager reports to the Director Programme Operations on all aspects of programme development, implementation, and coordination for SLPR, and to the Director General on all institutional matters. S/He supervises all staff of the SLPR programme and is involved in the administration and management of regional action research and upscaling and mainstreaming of projects in the field of sustainable livelihoods and poverty reduction.

Main Responsibilities

  1. Leadership and programme management: Formulate, develop, and take responsibility for the overall SLPR programme, promoting regional cooperation on sustainable livelihoods and poverty reduction; develop and manage monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment activities for the SLPR programme; develop and monitor the programme budget. Take leadership and responsibility for managing human resources in the programme, including team development and capacity building activities as well as contributing to an encouraging, positive, flexible, and professional working environment.
  2. Research, policy development, and capacity building: Provide intellectual leadership on identified research priorities, by managing or participating in specific action research and studies; maintain an active dialogue with partners and policy makers, and contribute to bridging the gaps between research, policy, and practice; enhance regional, national, and local capacity for sustainable mountain development.
  3. Communication, collaboration, and partnership development: Establish and maintain partnerships and constructive dialogue with stakeholders in the region and beyond (government officials, NGOs, research institutions, donors, etc.) for strategic collaboration to contribute to ICIMOD’s work in promoting the mountain perspective and integrated mountain research and development in the HKH.
  4. Fundraising and resource mobilisation: Lead resource mobilisation activities to secure programme implementation, e.g., write concept notes and proposals; develop and maintain dialogue with donors; promote ICIMOD research, development, and capacity building activities; explore co-funding opportunities from regional member countries.
  5. Work as a team player within ICIMOD to support other programmes and activities, promote institutional goals, and encourage integration of ideas and disciplines within ICIMOD and among partners.

Minimum Qualifications

ICIMOD programmes are often transboundary and regional in nature. The Programme Manager shall have a good understanding of the regional dimension of SLPR as well as the positioning of this work in a global context. The minimum qualifications required for this position are:
  • a postgraduate degree, preferably Ph.D., in socioeconomic sciences and/or related livelihood development fields;
  • 10 years of work experience in the field of sustainable livelihoods or socioeconomics, of which part preferably has been gained in the mountain regions of Asia;
  • 5 years of experience in a leadership or management role, preferably in a multi-cultural environment;
  • experience in livelihood/socioeconomic related applied research, with a good track record of publications and visible impacts on policy.

Competencies

  • Excellent management/leadership skill and experience with multidisciplinary teams, particularly with international/regional agencies; capacity for intellectual leadership and for working with colleagues and collaborators of different national and cultural backgrounds
  • Advanced skills in strategic programme planning required; monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment desirable
  • Extensive experience and skills in preparing project proposals, progress reports, etc. for submission to ICIMOD sponsors
  • Solid networking skills required; demonstrated experience and success in fundraising and resource mobilisation an advantage.
  • Excellent spoken communication and writing skills in English required; knowledge of a regional language an advantage

Duration

An initial 3 years, with opportunities for continuation. Starting date is as early as possible, preferably before 1 April 2012.

Remuneration

Salaries and benefits of ICIMOD are highly competitive compared to other regional organisations; 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 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 21 Jan 2012 through ICIMOD's online application system.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.