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 PCS will report directly to the Chief Technical Advisor and work on day-to-day basis with Portfolio Manager (Resilience and Environment) and Programme Analyst (Climate Change and Resilience). The PMU will operate under the overall guidance of the National Project Director (NPD) — as assigned by MoEWRI. 

The Project Coordination Specialist (PCS) will lead the project management unit and oversee day-to-day implementation under the guidance of the Project Board (PB) for Nepal. The PCS will be responsible for ensuring that project results are delivered in line with the approved project document, meeting agreed standards of quality, timeframes, and budget. Key duties include preparing annual work plans and budgets for Board approval, as well as quarterly and annual progress reports outlining achievements, challenges, and necessary adjustments. The PCS will manage procurement and recruitment of national and international service providers and specialist expertise in consultation with the Board. Given that the project is implemented in partnership with the Government of Nepal and various stakeholders, the PCS will also play a central role in coordinating the efforts of all partners to ensure coherent and effective delivery. The PCS function will end when the final project terminal evaluation report and other documentation required by the GCF and UNDP have been completed and submitted to UNDP (including operational closure of the project).

The Project Coordination Specialist will be responsible for the following key functions:

Project Management:

  • Develop annual work plans, budgets, and targets in line with the Project Document and Board guidance.
  • Monitor progress against plans, identify bottlenecks, and propose corrective measures to ensure timely delivery.
  • Support the Project Board with regular updates, background materials, and reporting for decision-making.
  • Lead and supervise the Project Management Unit, setting clear objectives and providing performance guidance.
  • Oversee procurement, contracting, and recruitment processes, including drafting TORs and technical specifications.
  • Prepare and maintain accurate accounting records in line with UNDP and GCF requirements.
  • Ensure the effective and accountable use of project resources in line with GCF/UNDP standards.
  • In collaboration with other PMU members, draft Terms of Reference (TORs), technical specifications, and related documentation to guide procurement and recruitment processes.
  • Identify, contract, and supervise consultants, suppliers, and service providers to ensure quality and timely delivery of outputs.
  • Coordinate and oversee the timely execution of project activities by the PMU, consultants, and suppliers.
  • Monitor the quality of technical outputs, ensuring compliance with approved standards.
  • Support oversight of cross-cutting requirements such as the Environmental and Social Management Framework and Gender Action Plan.
  • Establish and maintain systems for monitoring progress, risks, and results.
  • Prepare quarterly operational and annual progress reports for submission to the Project Board and UNDP.
  • Support audits and ensure timely follow-up on recommendations.

Coordination, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement:

  • Serve as the central point of coordination and maintain strong working relationships with project partners at national, state, and community levels, ensuring effective liaison with government counterparts, UN agencies, and other responsible parties involved in implementation.
  • Liaise closely with Responsible Parties for the implementation of specific interventions.
  • Facilitate the technical advisory group and ensure effective inputs are integrated into project delivery.

Communications and Knowledge Management: 

  • Maintain regular communication with Government, national stakeholders, and partners on project progress and emerging issues.
  • Support project visibility and communications activities in coordination with UNDP and national partners.
  • Act as a focal point for stakeholder feedback and local concerns related to project activities.
  • Promote knowledge exchange and capacity development with Government counterparts and local stakeholders.
  • Document and disseminate lessons learned and best practices within Nepal and across region.

Capacity Building: 

  • Facilitate linkages with regional and international platforms to draw on global expertise and share project experiences.
  • Coordinate the design and implementation of the project’s capacity development activities, ensuring alignment with national priorities and project outcomes.
  • Ensure that technical service providers incorporate on-the-job training and knowledge transfer components into their workplans and deliverables.
  • Promote local ownership and sustainability by supporting institutionalization of new tools, systems, and standard operating procedures developed under the project.
  •  Coordinate documentation of lessons learned, training materials, and best practices, and support dissemination across national and regional platforms.

Mainstreaming Gender Equality and Social Inclusion:

  • Ensure mainstreaming of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) principles throughout project planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting in line with national policies and Green Climate Fund (GCF) gender and social safeguards requirements.
  • Facilitate the integration of gender-responsive and inclusive climate actions in project interventions, ensuring that women, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups actively participate and benefit equitably.
  • Coordinate with GESI experts and technical teams to develop and implement the project’s Gender and Social Inclusion Action Plan (GESIAP) and monitor progress against its targets and indicators.
  • Promote capacity development on GESI and climate resilience for project staff, implementing partners, and local stakeholders, ensuring inclusive participation and gender-balanced representation.
  • Ensure that data collection and reporting are sex-, age-, and disability-disaggregated, and that progress reports adequately reflect gender equality and social inclusion outcomes.
  • Identify and address potential gender and social risks associated with project activities, proposing mitigation measures in coordination with relevant stakeholders.
  • Support the documentation and dissemination of good practices, lessons learned, and success stories that highlight gender-responsive and socially inclusive climate actions.

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 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management (Insert below standard sentence if the position has direct reports.)
to People Management Competencies

  • UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

2030 Agenda: Planet    

  • Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery. Early Warning, Anticipation and Preparedness. Mainstreaming/Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Adaptation into Development. Risk Governance: Disaster and Climate Risk Governance

Procurement    

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

Business Management    

  • Project Management. Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
  • 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 
    2030 Agenda: People    Gender    Innovation for Gender Equality

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
     

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced University Degree (Master s degree or equivalent ) in Environmental Management, Development Studies, Project Management, Business or Public Sector Administration, International Relations, Political Science, or other relevant discipline or
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields in combination with an additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Experience:

  • A minimum of 5 years (with a master’s degree) or 7 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in project implementation and management, with a focus on planning, monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder and team coordination.

Required skills:

  • Good computer literacy – MS office applications, web-based management information systems.
  • Highly organized with strong ability to set priorities, deliver quality outputs, meet deadlines, and manage time effectively.
  • Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to maintain an overview in complex work situations.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to gather, process, and interpret data and information.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills for effective networking within the national team and with external institutions
  • Clear and effective communicator, maintaining professionalism in both written and verbal correspondence with diverse stakeholders.

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

  • Technical experience with early warning systems, emergency communications, disaster risk reduction and management, anticipatory action and climate change adaptation is highly desirable;
  • Prior experience in managing high-value, donor-funded projects is highly desirable.
  • Extensive managerial experience, including experience in leading multi-cultural teams, is highly desirable.
  • Demonstrated leadership in multi-stakeholder coordination (government, civil society, private sector, and international organizations) is highly desirable.
  • Strong project management skills (planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting) are highly desirable.
  • Ability to draft high-quality reports, policy briefs, and official communications.
  • Budget management and oversight experience are highly desirable.
  • Familiarity with government procedures, donor compliance requirements, and project governance frameworks is highly desirable.
  • Prior experience with UNDP projects would be an asset.
  • Proven experience in working with government counterparts, donors, and development partners at policy/strategic level is highly desirable.

Required Language(s):     

  • Good command of 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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