Job Description

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 PMU will be headed by the Project Coordination Specialist (PCS). The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) 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. The M&E Analyst will work closely with the RBM Analyst of CO, Environmental and Social Safeguards, and GESI Analyst.

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Analyst will be responsible for designing, coordinating, and implementing the project’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) framework to ensure robust tracking of progress toward outputs, outcomes, and impact. The Analyst will support evidence-based decision-making by developing tools, collecting and analyzing data, and preparing regular performance reports in line with UNDP and GCF requirements. Key duties include managing the project’s monitoring system, coordinating baseline, mid-term, and terminal evaluations, ensuring data quality and disaggregation, and facilitating adaptive management by communicating findings to the Project Management Unit (PMU), government partners, and stakeholders. The M&E Analyst will also play a critical role in documenting lessons learned, supporting knowledge management, and ensuring reporting reflects cross-cutting priorities such as gender equality, social inclusion, and environmental safeguards. The role will conclude with the integration of final M&E results and lessons into the terminal evaluation and project closure documentation.

Develop and implement the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework:

• Operationalize the project’s MEL framework in line with UNDP and GCF requirements, including indicators, baselines, and targets.
• Formulate project-specific MEL tools, templates, and checklists aligned with the approved results framework.
• Ensure indicators include disaggregated data (sex, age, ethnicity, disability) and cover outputs, outcomes, and impacts.
• Coordinate baseline surveys and support risk monitoring, including maintaining and updating the project risk log.

Support planning, coordination and monitor progress of M&E activities ensuring data quality:

• Develop annual monitoring plan and ensure the effective accomplishment of the deliverables set in the results frameworks.
• Integrate MEL activities into annual and quarterly workplans and budgets.
• Provide technical inputs to ensure project scope, outputs, and indicators remain consistent with GCF and UNDP requirements.
• Assist in organizing joint monitoring visits with government, development partners, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure systematic data collection, analysis, and reporting across all project components.
• Periodically track implementation progress at national and sub-national levels, reviewing consistency across project components.
• Introduce systems for regular data collection, analysis, and triangulation of quantitative and qualitative results.
• Conduct regular data quality checks and ensure accuracy, integrity, consistency, and timely availability of information.

Strengthen capacity for monitoring and reporting:

• Provide training and guidance to government counterparts, community partners, and project staff on M&E methods and tools.
• Develop user-friendly guidelines, manuals, and orientation sessions to improve understanding of MEL systems.
• Identify capacity gaps through needs assessments and deliver tailored training packages to address them.
• Integrate Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) indicators into the project’s monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure that outcomes and impacts reflect the participation and benefits of women, men, youth, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups.
• Ensure sex-, age-, and disability-disaggregated data collection and analysis across all project components, and use this data to inform adaptive management, reporting, and learning processes.
• Develop and apply GESI-responsive monitoring tools and methodologies that capture qualitative and quantitative changes in inclusion, empowerment, and equitable access to climate resilience benefits.
• Build capacity of implementing partners and local institutions on integrating GESI in data collection, analysis, and reporting to enhance ownership and sustainability of inclusive monitoring systems.

Provide oversight of performance monitoring and reporting and document knowledge and lessons learned:

• Lead the preparation of quarterly, mid-year, and annual progress reports in coordination with government and project units.
• Ensure reports capture both results achieved and implementation challenges, offering evidence-based recommendations.
• Contribute to donor and government reporting processes, ensuring compliance with national procedures and international standards/commitments (e.g., SDGs, Sendai Framework).
• Capture and disseminate good practices, case studies, and innovations from project implementation, particularly around GLOF risk reduction, Eco-DRR, and early warning systems.
• Support inputs for South-South learning and global knowledge platforms by preparing evidence-based summaries and stories of impact.
• Ensure knowledge products reflect cross-cutting issues, including GESI and safeguards.
• Support evidence-based learning and knowledge management by documenting and disseminating good practices, lessons learned, and success stories highlighting inclusive approaches and the participation of underrepresented groups.
• Collaborate closely with the GESI Specialist and technical teams to ensure GESI perspectives are embedded in evaluation designs, field monitoring missions, and progress reports.
• Facilitate participatory monitoring and feedback mechanisms that enable the voices of women, indigenous peoples, and vulnerable communities to be meaningfully reflected in project decision-making and performance assessments.

Support evaluation, learning and adaptive management processes:

• Support design and execution of baseline surveys and evaluation studies.
• Facilitate mid-term reviews, third-party monitoring, and terminal evaluation by preparing documentation and serving as focal point.
• Draft ToRs, collate supporting evidence, and liaise with evaluators to ensure comprehensive assessments.
• Liaise with external evaluators, provide necessary documentation, and ensure findings are integrated into adaptive management.
• Provide evidence-based recommendations to the PMU and Project Board for adaptive management.
• Facilitate periodic reflection workshops and lessons-learned exercises to promote organizational learning and adaptive management.

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 

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 
• Results-based Management - Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
• Working with Evidence and Data - Abilit to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making 
• Monitoring and Evaluation:
  • Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. 
  • Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. 
  • Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. 
  • Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Business Direction & Strategy           

• System Thinking - Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

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 level or equivalent) in Statistics, International Development, Sociology, Social Sciences or other relevant area 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 monitoring, evaluation and reporting.

Desired skills

• Proven experience of institutional capacity development related to monitoring, evaluation and reporting, preferably with sub-national governments or with other well recognized national institutions and/or international agencies is required. 
• Strong experience in developing and implementing MEL frameworks, including logical frameworks, indicator tracking, and results-based management.
• Experience in designing and conducting surveys, data collection, and analysis using both quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Experience in managing databases, using monitoring tools, and digital platforms (Excel, PowerBI, SPSS, or similar).
• Experience with monitoring and reporting in GCF, UNDP, or other donor-financed projects is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of environmental and social safeguards monitoring and integration of cross-cutting themes (GESI, climate resilience).
• Knowledge of Nepal’s governance and institutional structures, including local government systems.
• Experience in capacity building for M&E at institutional and community levels.
• Practical knowledge of GIS, remote sensing, and digital tools for climate and environmental monitoring.
• Experience working in climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, or related thematic areas.
• Prior experience engaging with three tiers of government in Nepal or similar federal contexts.
• Experience with donor compliance requirements and project governance frameworks.

Required Languages

• Fluency in English and Nepali is required.

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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