Senior Ecologist

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is a regional intergovernmental learning and knowledge sharing centre serving the eight regional member countries of the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. Our aim is to influence policy and practices to meet environmental and livelihood challenges emerging in the HKH region. To do this we bring together researchers, practitioners, and policy makers from the region and around the globe to generate and share knowledge, support evidence-based decision making, and encourage regional collaboration. ICIMOD delivers impact through its six Regional Programmes of Adaptation to Change, Transboundary Landscapes, River Basins, Cryosphere and Atmosphere, Mountain Environment Regional Information System, and Himalayan University Consortium. These regional programmes are supported by the four Thematic Areas of Livelihoods, Ecosystem Services, Water and Air, and Geospatial Solutions and underpinned by Knowledge Management and Communication. ICIMOD seeks to reduce poverty and vulnerability and improve the lives and livelihoods of mountain women and men while sustaining mountain ecosystems and their services, now and for the future.

The HKH region houses diverse ecosystems that harbour a myriad of habitats and remarkable biodiversity. The provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services provided by these ecosystems are enjoyed by the region’s mountain populations, by the people living in areas downstream, and by people elsewhere as part of humanity’s global patrimony. The Ecosystem Services Thematic Area focuses on promoting ecosystem management and sustaining the ecosystem services arising from the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region and strengthening ecological dimensions within the work of ICIMOD and its partners. In order to enhance the ecological, social and economic relevance of its work, ICIMOD’s Strategic Framework and Mid Term Action Plan III (2013 – 2017) have provided strong direction to promote transdisciplinary work.

The Centre is looking for a highly qualified Senior Ecologist who has sound understanding of mountain ecosystems, ecological analytical tools, approaches, methods, and experience in integrating ecological dimensions into social, economic and development research.

• Conceptualize and operationalize ecological research frameworks in the context of mountains in order to find holistic and integrated solutions
• Provide frameworks for ecological analyses that can be implemented across regional programmes 
• Develop theories of change from an ecological perspective for regional programmes as part of ICIMOD’s impact pathway process 
• Communicate fundamental ecological concepts, frameworks, and theories of change in language that is accessible to colleagues from other disciplines and that thereby promotes true transdisciplinary research approaches in the Centre 
• Look for larger ecology-related research questions in the areas of ICIMOD work and means of answering them in collaboration with regional programmes 
• Write position papers on emerging ecological issues for the Centre
• Integrate ecological dimensions (i.e. long-term monitoring of natural resources, valuation and payments for ecosystem services) into emerging environmental and developmental issues
• Take a leading role in conceptualizing, designing, and implementing ecosystem management at the landscape or watershed level in all relevant projects, keeping in view the sustainability of ecosystem services of forests and rangelands
• Assess the state of ecosystems and their services while considering the interfaces between a variety of ecosystems such as rangelands, forests, wetlands and agricultural systems to understand risks and opportunities for the enhancement and sustainability of ecosystem services and local livelihoods
• Promote transdisciplinary research, the co-generation of knowledge, and efforts to put this knowledge to use for impact
• Mentor young staff to strengthen their capacity in transdisciplinary research and their ability to develop innovative solutions, ideas, and frameworks 
• Strengthen rigor in ecological analysis by promoting and guiding both quantitative and qualitative ecological research, and, wherever possible, seek to deepen the practical implications and policy relevance of ICIMOD-facilitated research by combining qualitative and quantitative approaches
• Provide inputs in project design and programme development, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation in order to strengthen the ecological dimensions of ICIMOD's programmes and projects. Contribute to the development of the strategic plan of the Ecosystem Services Thematic Area by identifying potential long-term ecological strategies that strengthen current programmes and projects 
• Train and build the capacity of junior team members, partners and field researchers on ecological research methods and implications 
• Reach out to ecologists in regional and global universities and research partners to strengthen ICIMOD’s current network (including the Himalayan University Consortium) and to develop opportunities to involve student researchers and their professors in longer-term collaborative field research and analysis

• PhD in ecology, environmental science, or natural resource management or related field 
• Sound knowledge and experience in qualitative and quantitative ecological research and ecosystem management and experience working in interdisciplinary teams 
• At least 15 years of work experience in ecological research and ecosystem management, preferably of which a part has been gained in mountain regions 
• Credible and working knowledge on the socioeconomic and ecosystem dynamics of the HKH

Knowledge: Sound knowledge and understanding of ecosystems, ecosystem management approaches, ecological analytical tools and methods; knowledge and experience in the development of ecological research designs based on robust ecological methods; an openness and curiosity about other disciplines and their key concepts and frameworks will be a plus 

Research: Experience and skills in designing and piloting ecological research designs using participatory action research and combining qualitative and quantitative methods 

Management and coordination: Ability to work and coordinate interdisciplinary research in the context of diverse disciplines 

Networking/stakeholder management: Ability to develop and maintain a network with ecological and environmental institutes and professionals 

Results/impact orientation: Proactive approach within and outside the organization to integrate ecological dimensions in social and economic research and to seek opportunities to transform outputs into outcomes and impact

Team work: Demonstrated capacity to work in teams with colleagues and collaborators of different disciplines, organizations, and sociocultural backgrounds 

Flexibility/innovation: Interest and ability to stay abreast with the changing context of ecological research methods and designs with a mountain perspective, as well as landscape and ecosystem management approaches, and to find ways to introduce innovative approaches, encourage others to come up with new ideas, and actively support the development of a continuous learning culture 

Report and proposal writing: Excellent analytical and writing skills and proven record of publication in reputed ecological and environmental journals.