Climate Resilience Technical Associate (Nepal)

A. About Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC)

ADPC is an autonomous international organization with a vision to reducing disaster and climate risk impacts on communities and countries in Asia and the Pacific region by working with governments, development partners, international organizations, NGOs, civil society, private sector, media, and other key stakeholders.

Established in 1986 as a technical capacity-building center, ADPC has grown and diversified its expertise across social and physical sciences to support sustainable solutions for risk reduction across a broad range of specialist areas. ADPC has over 100 staff from 19 different nationalities and a wide range of professional expertise - from atmospheric scientists to social scientists with experiences from all levels of engagement typically required for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Resilience (CR) in an effective manner. ADPC is a competent regional resource center and has seven thematic departments: ADPC Academy, Risk Governance, Climate Resilience, Urban Resilience, Health Risk Management, Preparedness for Response and Recovery, Geospatial Information. These are supported by Finance, Human Resources and Administration, and Strategic Planning departments. In addition to the departments, ADPC works on three cross-cutting themes: Gender and Diversity, Poverty and Livelihoods, and Regional and Transboundary Cooperation through permanent working committees.

ADPC Strategy 2020 guides the organization in providing comprehensive risk reduction support to countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific. ADPC recognizes the importance of examining the linkages between disaster risk management, poverty reduction, gender equality, sustainability, rights-based approaches, climate change and regional cooperation.

For details, please refer to ADPC website.

B. Background

Disasters take a huge toll on the development agenda of South Asian countries. Between 2000 and 2017, disasters in South Asia incurred estimated damages of US$ 149.27 billion. Public expenditure is under stress by the repeated need to reallocate capital budgets away from long term development planning and towards reconstruction activities in post-disaster environments. Nepal faces a wide range of climate-related impacts that have severe consequences for its population and sectors. The change such as rising temperatures, glacial melt, and increased frequency of extreme weather events have adverse effects on agriculture, water and infrastructures, exacerbating food insecurity and water scarcity in the country. Addressing the impacts of climate change in Nepal requires urgent action to enhance resilience and adapt to the changing climate.

To increase resilience and achieve climate commitments, there is a need for a transformational shift toward policies and institutions that enable climate-resilient investments. Investing in more resilient infrastructure is both profitable and urgent as disruptions are extremely costly for governments, households and the private sector and large ongoing investments in infrastructure assets will have long-lasting repercussions as poor maintenance and natural disasters result in a vulnerable stock.

C. About CARE for South Asia Project

ADPC is implementing a five-year World Bank-funded project between 2020 to 2024 titled “Climate Adaptation and Resilience Project for South Asia” (CARE). The project aims to create an enabling environment for climate resilience policies and investments across South Asia. This objective will be achieved through enhanced regional cooperation and knowledge exchange for climate resilience and adaptation and mainstreaming of resilience and adaptation in national policies, plans, and investments.

Until Q3 2023, a considerable amount of effort has been taken through the provision of advisory services for policy and investment interventions, promotion of Climate Resilient Design and Standards for the South Asia Region, and Implementation Support to Climate-Risk Management Solutions for Participating Countries in the focus sectors of Climate-Smart Agriculture, Integrated Water Resources Management, Resilient Transport Infrastructure, and Climate Policy, planning and finance sectors in the three project countries of Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan. This initiative was successful because of close engagement and collaboration with over 35 government stakeholders across the three project countries.

D. Statement of Intent

The Climate Resilience Technical Associate will be hired with the objective of supporting the country project team to smoothly implement the project and assist in contributing to an enabling environment for climate-resilient policies and investments in select sectors through the project activities identified by the Sector Focal Points in Nepal. S/he will help ensure that project activities are executed efficiently and effectively, adhering to technical specifications and timelines. This includes creating and maintaining technical documentation and project management activities. Accordingly, a qualified and motivated Associate will be required to support the Junior Research Associate and the country team for the in-country implementation of Component-2 activities of the project.

Note:

It is not the intent of this Terms of Reference to cover every aspect of the position requirements but rather to highlight the most important areas of personal and joint responsibilities.

E. Duties and Responsibilities

The associate shall provide the following inputs:

• Assist in maintaining accurate and up-to-date project documents such as guidelines, manuals, and reports in country office.
• Support ADPC and Research Associate in project-related operational activities under CARE for South Asia in the country to enhance policies, standards, and capacity for climate-resilient development in Nepal.
• Assist the Country Training Officer in organizing country-level training by providing operational support.
• Perform country-specific research on key sectors of the CARE project in consultation with Sector Leads.
• Perform other relevant tasks as assigned by the Project Director.

F. Expected Output/s

The associate is required to assist ADPC in performing technical assistance for the delivery of outputs related to the CARE for South Asia project in Nepal, including, but not limited to, technical reports, operational documents, communication materials, and information packs.

G. Qualifications

The associate must have experience in providing technical support on disaster risk management and/or climate change adaptation work. The detailed qualifications are:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in environmental studies, disaster management, development studies, international relations, social sciences or a relevant field;
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in conducting research and analytical work in a similar role is required;
• Knowledge of international and national Climate Change Acts, Policies and Frameworks would be an advantage;
• Proven record of strong research and analytical skills are required;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Knowledge of written and spoken Nepali is required;
• A Nepali national based in Kathmandu would be preferred;
• Work experience in South Asia, particularly in Nepal is not required but preferred;
• Cross cultural awareness and ability to work amongst a diverse group of staff, and partners;
• Required computer proficiencies: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams.

H. Reporting Relationships

The associate will report to the Project Director and work in close coordination with the country team.

I. Contract Duration

The contract duration will be for 11 months (extension may be possible).

J. Selection Method

The consultant will be selected in accordance with ADPC’s recruitment process and in compliance with the World Bank Procurement Regulations.

How to apply

Interested Candidates can submit the completed ADPC application form (downloadable from ‘Join us’ in www.adpc.net), resume, and copy of degrees/certificate(s) together with a cover letter to procurement.care@adpc.net

For inquiries, please contact procurement.care@adpc.net

Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

ADPC encourage diversity in its workplace and support an inclusive work environment.