Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

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, the risk of GLOF will be high and GLOF can adversely impacts the downstream vulnerable 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 acting 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 PMU will be headed by the Project Coordination Specialist (PCS). The Hydrologist 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. The Hydrologist will work closely with the Civil Engineer and Meteorologist. 

The Hydrologist will provide technical expertise on hydrological monitoring, modelling, and analysis for assessing GLOF risks and implementing EcoDRR flood mitigation measures. The role includes support for the installation and maintenance of hydrological instruments, flood modelling, and integration of hydrological data into early warning systems.

1. Conduct hydrological assessments and manage hydrological data and modelling:

• Analyse hydrological regimes of target glacial lakes and downstream catchments.
• Contribute to hazard mapping and modelling.
• Support risk assessments for engineering designs.
• Process, validate, and archive hydrological datasets.
• Support DHM in the development of models for flood forecasting and scenario development.
• Support the integration of hydrological data into EWS.

2. Install and maintain monitoring systems:

• Oversee the deployment and calibration of hydrological equipment in mountain catchments.
• Ensure regular data collection and maintenance.
• Troubleshoot field monitoring challenges.

3. Build capacity of partners:

• Train government and local partners in hydrological monitoring and data management, including on the long-term operation and maintenance of hydrological monitoring stations and equipment.
• Support development of data protocols and guidelines.

4. Contribute to knowledge products and reporting:

• Draft technical notes, maps, and reports on hydrological aspects.
• Contribute to donor reports and lessons learned, documenting success stories and case studies on effective hydrological practices.

5. Oversight, monitoring and reporting:

• Oversee hydrological interventions, verifying quality of materials, techniques, and final finishes.
• 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/GCF standards.
• Ensure that all project data and information on physical and financial progress related to hydrological equipment are duly maintained transparently, expediently, and effectively in line with UNDP rules and regulations.
• Contribute to annual workplans and budgeting within the PMU as related to hydrological systems, applying adaptive management principles. 
• Monitor the progress of hydrological works according to annual work plan, ensuring that targets are fully met and the reporting requirements are fulfilled.
• Contribute to the inclusion of hydrological equipment and flood risk in Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs).
• Monitor contractors’ compliance with safeguards at the field level in close coordination with concerned officials.
• Incorporate GESI considerations in hydrological assessments and modelling, ensuring that water resource planning and management reflect the differentiated needs and vulnerabilities of women, men, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups.
• Promote inclusive participation in water management processes by engaging women’s groups, indigenous peoples, and disadvantaged communities in discussions on water use, allocation, and climate resilience strategies.
• Ensure accessibility of hydrological data and information, including translating technical findings into user-friendly formats (local languages, visual aids, community radio, etc.) to reach diverse groups equitably.
• Apply sex, age, and disability-disaggregated data (SADDD) in water-related risk assessments (e.g., floods, droughts) to identify differential impacts and inform inclusive adaptation measures.
• Synthesize the inputs provided by the team (PIU/PMU) and ensure timely delivery of outputs and preparation of reports

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

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:

• Secondary education is required.
• University Degree (bachelor’s degree) in Hydrology, Water Resources Management, Environmental Science, or related filed will be given due consideration but is not a requirement. 

Experience:

• A minimum 7 years (with secondary education) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in hydrology.

Required skills:

• Proficiency in computer applications like MS Word, Excel and PPT
• Strong knowledge of hydrological processes and modelling.
• Experience with GIS, remote sensing, and flood modelling software.
• Experience in field hydrological monitoring.
• Knowledge of hydrometeorological early warning systems

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• At least 4 years of experience in the field of Hydrology after Masters degree is preferred.
• Experience working with UNDP, GCF, or other donor-funded projects, particularly in climate change adaptation or disaster risk reduction.
• Knowledge of environmental and climate change issues in Nepal, including GLOFs, Eco-DRR, and early warning systems.
• Experience working in glacial/mountain hydrology.
• Experience in preparing of Terms of Reference (ToR) and procurement related documents.
• Knowledge on specifications of the hydro-meteorological equipment, hydrological and hydraulic modeling software

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English and Nepali is required.
• Knowledge of any other national 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.

Scam alert

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