Background

While climate change is observed across Nepal, the rate of temperature increase is more pronounced at higher altitudes. This temperature rise accelerates the rate of glacial retreat, increasing the size of glacial lakes located in these high-altitude areas and, in turn, their likelihood of breaching in the form of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) which cause severe flooding, landslides and mudflows that damage infrastructure and private assets, and disrupt transportation networks, agricultural production, power supplies from hydropower plants and tourism activities. Damages from GLOFs are often irreparable for decades, with considerable economic costs, particularly to downstream populations. The risk of GLOFs is further exacerbated by increasing temperatures which increase the rate of snow and ice melt and the proportion of precipitation falling as rain, which increases the volume of the lakes, thereby reducing the amount of ‘freeboard’, which increases the likelihood of overflow and the intensity of resulting floods.

The Thulagi, Lower Barun, Lumding Tsho and Hongu 2 Lakes are at exceptionally high risk of breaching having already exhibited considerable increases in volume, accelerated degradation of their ice-cored moraines, and a reduced amount of ‘freeboard’ as a result of climate change. Combined, these factors have destabilized the lakes, exposing the Gandaki Basin and the Dudhkoshi and Arun Sub-basins to the threat of a GLOF event. Without intervention, these glacial lakes could breach at any given moment, adversely impacting vulnerable Nepalese communities. 

In response to this risk, USD36 millions of GCF funds, alongside USD14 million in cofinance, will be directed to reduce the risk and impacts of GLOFs at the four priority glacial lakes by shifting towards a proactive approach to GLOF risk reduction in Nepal. The proposed project presents an integrated approach to GLOF risk management in Nepal by addressing institutional and technical capacities, physical protection (both grey and green infrastructure approaches), hazard monitoring and early warning. This integrated approach will utilise GCF funds to: i) lower the water levels of four glacial lakes to reduce their risk of breaching; ii) implement Eco-Disaster Risk Reduction interventions in mountain ecosystems to mitigate the residual flood impacts from a GLOF; iii) establish and implement early warning systems to alleviate damages and prevent the loss of lives from GLOFs; and iv) strengthen the technical and institutional capacity of Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology to plan for and respond to GLOFs and floods. These interventions will catalyse a shift from a need- and project-based approach towards proactive and pre-emptive approaches, engendered through strengthened capacity among institutions and communities. 

The project will be implemented following UNDP’s support to National Implementation Modality (NIM), with Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) under Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (MoEWRI) of Nepal serving as the Implementing Partner. Under this modality, UNDP is supporting DHM in recruiting key positions for the establishment of a Project Management Unit, which will be based in Kathmandu, Nepal. Members of the PMU will collectively be responsible for overall planning and budgeting, collaborating with other ministries, sectors and government entities to implement the project performance management system; bidding for the provision of project consultancy services; coordination with the responsible parties in terms of bidding of goods and services; disbursement and implementation of project audits, operation of accounts, monitoring and preparation of overall project reports (annual), and safeguards policy monitoring reports.

Duties and Responsibilities

The DRR/M-EWS Analyst will ensure that the project’s multi-hazard EWS interventions are technically sound, socially inclusive, and institutionally sustainable. Service providers will design and install systems, while the Analyst ensures quality assurance, coordination, and integration into national DRR frameworks.

The PMU will be headed by the Project Coordination Specialist (PCS). The Disaster Risk Reduction/Management and Early Warning System Analyst will report directly to the Project Coordination Specialist. The PMU will operate under the overall guidance of the National Project Director (NPD) — as assigned by MoEWRI. 

Provide technical oversight of EWS design:

• Oversee interventions related to the generation and dissemination of early warnings, verifying quality of materials, techniques, and final finishes.
• Review and validate EWS designs, SOPs, and protocols.
• Ensure early warnings are inclusive and reach vulnerable communities.
• In collaboration with the Hydrological and Meteorological experts, support the technical and institutional capacity development of DHM to produce early warnings and disseminate them to government agencies and productive sectors.
• Oversee the development of community-based response plans, multi-hazard-based risk assessments (integrating community knowledge and science-based assessments), and training of communities on disaster risk management.
• Oversee the development of climate-responsive Municipal Disaster Preparedness and Response Plans.

Oversee system installation and operation:

• In collaboration with the Hydrological and Meteorological experts, monitor and guide contractors during installation and commissioning of EWS components.
• Certify deliverables and ensure proper documentation for payments.

Contribute to knowledge management and build institutional and community capacity:

• Conduct training for government personnel and community groups.
• Support drills, simulations, and awareness campaigns.
• Develop knowledge and awareness material on access and response to early warnings, including for the establishment and mobilisation of youth groups and volunteer’s corps.
• Document good practices and lessons for replication.

Oversight and reporting:

• Certify completion and quality of works related to the installation and operation of hydrological equipment, ensuring documentation is in place for payments, handovers, and audit requirements.
• Maintain equipment records, compile periodic technical reports, and provide updates to PMU/PIU in line with UNDP/GON/GEF standards.
• Ensure that all project data and information on physical and financial progress related to DRM and EWS systems are duly maintained with transparently, expediently, and effectively in line with UNDP rules and regulations
• Contribute to annual workplans and budgeting within the PMU as related to DRM and EWS systems, applying adaptive management principles. 
• Monitor the progress of DRM and EWS interventions according to annual work plan, ensuring that targets are fully met and the reporting requirements are fulfilled, and provide technical inputs to donor reports and evaluations.
• Contribute to the inclusion of EWS in Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs).

Ensure Gender and Social inclusion considerations in the project and facilitate knowledge sharing 

• Mainstream GESI considerations in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and early warning systems (EWS) by ensuring risk assessments, preparedness, and response strategies address the specific needs of women, men, youth, elderly persons, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities.
• Strengthen inclusive participation by engaging diverse community groups—including women’s groups, disability organizations, and indigenous representatives—in the design, testing, and dissemination of community based EWS and DRR interventions.
• Ensure accessibility of information and communication systems by developing and promoting gender- and disability-responsive early warning messages in local languages and formats that are understandable and usable by all.
• Collect and utilize sex, age, and disability disaggregated data to identify differential vulnerabilities and capacities, ensuring evidence-based recommendations for inclusive DRR and climate resilience planning.
• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners. 

Disaster Information Management System (DIMS) and Data Management for Early Warning Systems 

• Lead and support the planning, development, and operationalization of a Disaster Information Management System (DIMS) to systematically manage data generated from Early Warning Systems (EWS), hydrometeorological monitoring, risk assessments, and community-based DRM interventions.
• Establish data management frameworks, standards, and protocols to ensure the consistent collection, validation, storage, analysis, visualization, and dissemination of disaster risk and early warning data in line with national systems and international best practices.
• Ensure interoperability and integration of EWS-related data with existing national platforms and information systems of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) and other relevant government entities.
• Support the development of dashboards, decision-support tools, and reporting mechanisms to enable timely, evidence-based decision-making for preparedness, response, and anticipatory action.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation

Competencies

Core competencies

• Achieve Results:  LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
• Act with Determination:  LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion:  LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Digital 

• Geospatial analysis - Skilled in techniques which study entities using their topological, geometric, or geographic properties.

Business Management           

• Partnerships Management - Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies 
• Risk Management- Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks 

Procurement  

• Strategic sourcing - Knowledge of strategic sourcing concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations

2030 Agenda: Planet 

• Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery - Disaster Risk Reduction: Mainstreaming/Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Adaptation into Development

2030 Agenda: Peace 

• Governance - Inclusion and Participation of Marginalised Groups 

2030 Agenda: People              

• Gender - Innovation for Gender Equality

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Disaster Risk Management, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, or other relevant discipline is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields in combination with additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of master’s degree.

Experience:

• Applicants with master's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. 
• Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of working experience in disaster risk management and early warning systems

Desired skills

• Experience in DRR, EWS, and hazard risk management.
• Experience in developing operational protocols and training.
• Experience and understanding of gender and social inclusion in early warning systems and anticipatory action
• Experience with World Meteorological Organization (WMO) frameworks and Sendai DRR targets.
• Experience in the Hindu Kush Himalayan context, GLOF risk reduction and monsoon flood risk reduction.
• Experience working with UNDP, GCF, or other donor-funded projects, particularly in climate change adaptation or disaster risk reduction.
• Experience in environmental and climate change issues in Nepal, including GLOFs, Eco-DRR, and early warning systems.

Required Languages

• Fluency in English and Nepali is required.
• Knowledge of any other local language will be an asset.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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