The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region stretches 3,500km across Asia, spanning eight countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. Encompassing high-altitude mountain ranges, mid-hills, and plains, the zone is vital for the food, water, and energy security of up to two billion people and is a habitat for countless irreplaceable species. It is also acutely fragile – and frontline to the impacts of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), based in Kathmandu, Nepal, is an international organisation established in 1983, that is working to make this critical region greener, more inclusive and climate resilient. For more information, read our Strategy 2030 and explore our website.
The Energy Specialist is being hired under the Integrated Climate Adaptation Solutions for the Hindu Kush Himalaya Region (HI-CAS) project at ICIMOD, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) – Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD). The project aims to improve climate-resilient, nature-positive livelihoods while strengthening the leadership and agency of rural women and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.
The project will be implemented through the adoption of gender-responsive and locally tailored climate adaptation solutions – grounded in feminist and human rights-based methodologies – that place the rights, agency, and leadership of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) at the centre. These evidence-informed Integrated Adaptation Solution Packages (IASPs) will combine springshed management, renewable energy technologies to power irrigation systems, and agrobiodiversity practices. They will be complemented by capacity building and knowledge sharing to drive institutional policy and action. These initiatives will also help to attract sustainable investments in climate action and development – particularly in the water, energy, and agrobiodiversity sectors – with a strong focus on women’s and IPLCs’ leadership.
The HI-CAS project will be implemented in two upazilas (sub-districts) in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh – Bandarban and Khagrachari districts; two gewogs (blocks) in Bhutan – Paro and Punakha; and two municipalities in Nepal – Roshi and Dhankuta. Over its four-year duration, the project aims to benefit approximately 40,000 IPLCs and other vulnerable groups by reducing their exposure and sensitivity to climate change impacts while fostering ecosystem health and climate mitigation outcomes.
The Energy Specialist will be responsible for supporting the delivery of results in line with the commitments ICIMOD has made in the HI-CAS Project Performance Measurement Framework, which is nested within our Strategy 2030: Moving Mountains and our Medium-Term Action Plan V (2023–2026): Embracing Change and Accelerating Impact and related Results Framework 2023-2026.
The Energy Specialist will serve as the primary point of contact for all renewable energy-related activities under the project, ensuring effective implementation, coordination, and project-wide support. The ideal candidate should have experience in gender equality and social inclusion (GESI)-responsive renewable energy (RE) solutions, knowledge of feminist methodologies, strategic engagement with government agencies, designing and implementing on-ground interventions, monitoring field activities, coordinating with partners and IPLCs, and producing high-quality progress reports and knowledge products. A key responsibility will be supporting the HI-CAS project’s integrated adaptation solutions, which include GESI responsive springshed management and agrobiodiversity practices, but with a specific focus on the renewable energy technology solutions. This will entail providing technical and analytical inputs for renewable energy-powered water pumping (irrigation/drinking/domestic use) and will involve policy engagement with government and stakeholders, developing evidence-based scalability roadmaps to identify adoption barriers, and implementing on-the-ground solutions to address challenges. All efforts will be guided by a strong GESI commitment, rooted in a feminist approach that challenges power imbalances, promotes women’s leadership, and centres the rights, voices, and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs). It will require very close teamwork and strong collaboration skills.
The Energy Specialist will have the following duties and responsibilities:
1. Technical leadership
2. Policy support
3. Research and monitoring
4. Capacity building
5. Knowledge management and dissemination
6. Additional duties
Undertake any other official duties as assigned by the Senior Project Coordinator HI-CAS and the Intervention Manager – Renewable Energy, ensuring all work aligns with ICIMOD’s commitments to GESI.
The position requires demonstrated knowledge and experience in RE systems-related planning, management, and implementation, including the application of cross-sectoral approaches and engagement with multiple project stakeholders. It also demands strong technical expertise in climate adaptation and practical experience in implementing integrated solutions, particularly in springshed management, renewable energy systems, and agrobiodiversity-based practices. A proven ability to mainstream GESI across project design, implementation, and monitoring is essential, as are strong collaboration and teamwork skills.
The Energy Specialist will report to the Senior Project Coordinator for all deliverables related to the project and overall management of the component. The Senior Intervention Manager – Renewable Energy in Action Area - Economies will be the co-supervisor, especially for the technical aspects of the project. The position also involves collaboration with Action Area – Economies, other Strategic Groups, leads of cross-cutting areas (GESI, Climate Change, and biodiversity) and central units of ICIMOD to ensure smooth project implementation and effective internal and external communication.
You will be working in a cross-cultural, impact-oriented environment at ICIMOD’s head office in Kathmandu, Nepal. Travel within Nepal and to the project sites in Bangladesh and Bhutan will be required.
Kathmandu is a lively and exciting place to live. People are friendly, living costs are comparatively inexpensive, food is delicious (with a range of local and international cuisines), and there are good local and international schools and a low crime rate. Nepal offers amazing trekking trails, white water rafting, and safaris, combined with a rich culture and charming yet lively nightlife.
Our core values are integrity, neutrality, relevance, inclusiveness, openness, and ambition. These values are an expression of our culture and are central to the guiding beliefs and principles of our work and behaviour. Our core values will lie at the heart of ICIMOD operations and delivery. They will underpin everything we do and frame how we work with our partners. They reflect our founding intentions and the balances we seek to hold, while equipping ourselves for the future.
ICIMOD’s human resource selection process is based on the qualifications and competence of the applicants. As an employer, ICIMOD is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion and offers equal opportunities to applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life, including but not limited to gender, age, national origin, religion, race, caste, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or social status. ICIMOD strongly encourages applications from all eligible applicants, especially women, from all parts of the HKH region.
ICIMOD is dedicated to establishing and upholding a safe and nurturing work environment where all its employees can participate fully and meaningfully without fear of violence, harassment, exploitation, or intimidation. Any type of abuse or harassment, including sexual misconduct (including child abuse), by our staff, representatives, or stakeholders is not condoned or tolerated.
Two-year fixed-term project contract with a probation period of six months; possibility of extension subject to the availability of HI-CAS project funding, the need for the position, and the staff member’s performance.
This is an international position at ICIMOD. The starting annual gross salary for this position is USD 34,062/- Gross salary comprises basic salary, provident fund, family/post adjustment allowance, and child/dependency allowances. Salaries and benefits at ICIMOD are competitive compared with other international organisations. We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes insurances (medical, life and accidental), children’s education grant for a maximum of 2 children below 18 years of age, severance pay, paid leave (30 holidays and 10 public holidays per year) and a day care facility.
For expatriates, there is a tax exemption in Nepal; they are responsible for their home country’s tax payments. Expatriate staff are entitled to housing allowance, annual home leave ticket, shipment of personal effects, and an installation and repatriation allowance.
Applicants are requested to apply online before 21 December 2025 (11:59 pm Nepal Standard Time UTC+05:45) through the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development - Current Openings.
Detailed TOR: ToR _Energy Specialist_HICAS_Readvert.pdf
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Applicants who submitted their applications in response to the previous vacancy announcement are not required to reapply.