UNDP Vacancy Announcement for ICT Associate

Job Info

Job Identification: 31931
Apply Before: 03/04/2026, 10:44 AM
Job Schedule: Full time
Locations: Kathmandu, Nepal
Agency: UNDP
Grade: NPSA-7
Vacancy Type: National Personnel Service Agreement
Practice Area: Nature, Climate and Energy
Bureau: Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific
Contract Duration: 1 Year with Possibility for extension
Required Languages: English and Nepali
Desired Languages: Knowledge of any other national language
Vacancy Timeline: 2 Weeks
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 ICT Associate 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 ICT Associate will oversee the design, integration, and sustainability of ICT systems that support hazard monitoring and early warning dissemination. Technical development will be undertaken by specialized firms, while the ICT Associate ensures quality assurance, cybersecurity, and user capacity.

Provide oversight of ICT system development:

• Actively partake in planning and implementation of project activities related to data management (collection, analysis, and visualization) and digital innovation.
• Take lead in procuring software and hardware for automated and/or manual data collection, analysis, mapping, and visualization, as needed for project activities.
• Review ICT architecture, applications, and tools developed by service providers, including knowledge management platforms.
• Ensure all ICT systems meet user requirements and UNDP standards.
• Ensure ICT Systems follow modular, scalable, and open standards-based design principles to support future integration and extensibility.
• Conduct regular monitoring and check-ups to identify gaps and challenges in adopting digital technologies introduced through the project, and propose solutions based on best practice.
• Oversee testing and integration of ICT platforms with hydro-met data systems.

Strengthen capacity and sustainability:

• Train government staff and end-users on ICT tools and digital platforms, and technical guidance and support to stakeholders and implementing partners in adopting digital technology.
• Translate complex technical system designs into user-friendly guidance and training materials tailored for government officials and non-technical stakeholders.
• Assist in developing data visualization training materials for implementing partners and stakeholders.
• Assist in developing manuals and guidelines to ensure long-term usability.

Support knowledge management and sharing:

• Contribute ICT lessons to donor reports and knowledge platforms.
• Highlight innovative digital solutions for scaling up.
• Lead the documentation of ICT system architecture, lessons learned, and technical best practices for inclusion in donor reports,
• knowledge repositories, and future project replication.
• Ensure adequate monitoring and reporting on digital innovation activities and provide guidance and recommendations for improvement of the project strategies and plans
• Regularly study and adopt international best practices on digital transformation through learning events organized by UNDP and other partners
• Provide evidence-based technical advice to the project team and implementing partner in relation to the ICT related decision making

Oversight and reporting:

• Certify completion and quality of works related to ICT 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.
• Contribute to annual workplans and budgeting within the PMU as related to ICT systems, applying adaptive management principles.
• Monitor the progress of ICT systems according to annual work plan, ensuring that targets are fully met and the reporting requirements are fulfilled.

Integration of Gender and Social Inclusion in ICT:

• Ensure digital accessibility and inclusiveness by designing and maintaining ICT systems, databases, and platforms that are user-friendly and accessible to women, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups involved in project implementation.
• Promote gender-responsive and inclusive data management by supporting the collection, disaggregation, and analysis of project data (by sex, age, ethnicity, and disability) to inform equitable decision-making and reporting.
• Support capacity-building initiatives by facilitating digital literacy and ICT training for project staff, local partners, and community members—particularly targeting women, youth, and marginalized groups to enhance their participation in climate-related initiatives.
• Integrate GESI considerations into the design of communication tools and knowledge products, ensuring that visuals, language, and dissemination channels are inclusive and sensitive to diverse audiences.
• Collaborate with the GESI Specialist and project team to apply inclusive ICT solutions that enhance participation, feedback, and accountability mechanisms for all stakeholders, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Integration with Disaster Information Management Systems:

• Ensure integration of data, analysis outputs, and key findings generated through project-supported ICT systems into the national Disaster Information Management System (DIMS) and other relevant Government platforms.
• Establish a structured data management and planning framework to support the development of an Early Warning System, ensuring that generated data are systematically organized, analyzed, and integrated into the Disaster Information Management System.
• Coordinate with relevant government agencies to ensure interoperability, data standards compliance, and secure data exchange.
• Ensure that integrated data supports evidence-based decision-making, preparedness planning, response coordination, and reporting at local, provincial and federal levels.
• Support the development and implementation of data-sharing protocols, API, and metadata standards to enable timely, accurate, and automated flow of hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and impact information.
• 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
• Risk Management: Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks

Information Management & Technology

• Information and Technology Strategy – Portfolio management and governance: Knowledge of developing and implementing ICT strategy, portfolio and project management services, governance, and policies. Knowledge of project management principle. PMP or PRINCE2 certification of equivalent desirable.
• IT Project Management: Capacity to manage ICT projects, using IT methodologies and approaches such as agile deployment and/or waterfall system development methods. PMP and PRINCE2 certification or equivalent desirable.

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 with formal training in IT systems, business software and/or web-based applications.
• A university degree (bachelor´s degree) in ICT, Information Management, Computer Science or other relevant disciplines will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years (with secondary education) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in ICT systems management, preferably in development or DRR context.

Required Skills:

• Experience in ICT systems administration, databases, and networks.

Desired Skills:

• Experience with software for data visualization and communication (GIS, dashboards, apps).
• Experience in ICT in climate risk management/ Early warning system.
• Experience in existing ICT systems and digital platforms of Government of Nepal
• Experience with cybersecurity standards.
• 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.
• Demonstrated experience in knowledge management and capturing lessons learned.
• Certifications in CCNA, MSCA, MCSE or MCP are an asset.
• Experience in gender and social inclusion in ICT systems.

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

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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