ICIMOD Vacancy Announcement: Senior Officer and Unit Head
HR/OD
Here is the information on vacancies for a challenging position at the
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). Details
of the position as well as the link are given below:
Title: Senior Officer and Unit Head HR/OD
Division: Administration and Finance
Unit: Human Resources/Organizational Development
Deadline: 5 March, 2014
Web: http://www.icimod.org/?q=12870
Please apply through the ICIMOD Employment Online Application System for
proper processing and consideration of your application.
If you need local support, contact Ms HU Ying at huying@imde.ac.cn or
028-85237507.
Terms of Reference
Title: Senior Officer and Unit Head HR/OD
Division: Administration and Finance
Unit: Human Resources/Organizational Development
Apply Now
Background
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 (emerging).
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, now and for
the future.
As a learning and knowledge sharing institute, ICIMOD’s human resources – its staff members, consultants, interns –
are indeed its most important resource in achieving our mission: to enable sustainable and resilient mountain
development for improved and equitable livelihoods through knowledge and regional cooperation. The Human
Resources and Organizational Development Unit plays a key role in making sure the right people are appointed,
trained, motivated, and well taken care of; that appropriate policies are in place for the implementation of equitable
and transparent HR procedures; and that the organization is supported by appropriate systems, structures, and
mechanisms. ICIMOD is currently looking for a Senior Human Resources and Organizational Development Officer,
who will also function as the Head of the HR/OD Unit.
Responsibilities and tasks
Under direct supervision of the Director of Administration and Finance and the overall guidance of the Director
General, and in close cooperation with the other Admin and Finance Unit Heads, the Sr. HR/OD Officer is responsible
for the following:

Advise Senior Management on organizational development issues, e.g. change management,
management development, competency management, etc.

Ensure strategic staffing throughout the Centre, in close collaboration with the relevant Directors,
managers, theme leaders, and unit heads.

Ensure effective performance management, including individual planning, monitoring, bi-annual
performance appraisal and reward/promotion decisions.

Ensure professional development opportunities for all staff, including capacity building and career
development.

Ensure that the HR policy is relevant and up-to date, including regular revisions and updates as and when
necessary, and that staff is kept informed of policy changes.

Effectively manage the HR/OD Unit and coordinate with other units as and where needed for smooth
functioning of the HR/OD function, including recruitment, appointment and contracting, personnel files,
insurances and other benefits, leave management, etc.
Tasks
1. Organizational Development and Strategic HR

Provide advice to Senior Management on issues of strategic HR and organizational development as and
where needed.

Develop and submit proposals to Senior Management regarding change management, organizational
development, management development, competency development, etc. with the aim to further develop the
organization and its supporting HR structures in line with the Mid-Term Action Plan III (2013-2017).

Implement approved proposals in collaboration with relevant external resource providers.
2. Strategic Staffing

Develop the annual Staff Plan for recruitment and individual consultancies, in close collaboration with the
Directors and relevant managers, to ensure an optimal mix of competencies within the organization and
selection of the most suitable candidates.

Ensure effective dissemination of vacancy announcements for maximum outreach as well as appropriate
assessment tools for the selection of the most suitable candidates.

Manage the recruitment process as per the annual Staff Plan.
3. Professional Development and Capacity Building

Prepare the annual Training and Development Plan, with input from the Performance Appraisal system as
well as strategic staff development needs.

Organize institutional training and development opportunities according to plan for ICIMOD and its partner
organizations in collaboration with appropriate and capable external resource providers, including team
building.

Document all training and capacity building programmes attended by staff.

Advise managers and staff on training/capacity building issues as and when necessary.

Organize Staff Induction Programme at least four times per year and update the programme as and when
necessary.
4. HR Policy

Prepare periodic updates of HR Policy, as and where necessary, for Board approval.

Advise ICIMOD management and staff on HR policy matters and provide policy clarification and
interpretation as and when required.
5. Performance Management

Organize and facilitate bi-annual performance appraisal staff talks for all units and staff

Organize (bi-)annual training and information sessions on performance appraisal for management and staff.

Coordinate and facilitate the end-of-year reward/promotion decision making process.

Further update the online performance management system to fit the organizational structure and strategy
as per the need.
6. Management and Coordination

Effectively manage the HR/OD Unit, including planning, budgeting and task delegation

Supervise the smooth functioning of:
o
Appointment, contracting and annual contract renewals to ensure that all staff members,
short-term staff, and interns are issued timely contracts and that complete documentation is
received upon their appointment;
o
Consultancy Roster and individual consultancy contracting;
o
Insurance and benefits provision and administration, to ensure that all staff and short term
appointees receive eligible benefits according to HR policy;
o
Leave provision and leave management according to HR policy; and
o
HR filing system, to ensure that all personnel files are complete and up to date according to HR
Policy.

Supervise and manage performance of HR Unit members, including performance appraisals, relevant
capacity development, and provision of constructive feedback as and where needed.
Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in Business Administration with specialization in Human Resources/Organizational
Development, Organizational Sociology, Organizational Psychology, or a related field

At least 10 years of progressive experience in Human Resources and Organizational Development,
preferably gained in a (regional) knowledge/research institute or an INGO.

Work experience gained in one of ICIMOD’s regional member countries is a strong added advantage.
Competencies

Content knowledge: In-depth knowledge of and experience with HR functions as well as with
organizational development tools and methodologies; solid understanding of the organization’s
administrative programmatic functions and its interrelations with HR.

Management and coordination skills: Understanding of and experience in operational planning and
budgeting, task delegation, and people management.

Communication skills: Ability to effectively present, discuss, convince and influence different levels within
the organization and ensure effective channels of communication between and across organizational units.

Impact and results orientation: Proactive approach to generate concrete results and improvements
regarding effectiveness, efficiency, and service orientation within the area of responsibility.

Social/team competency: Ability to build effective teams including people from different cultural
backgrounds, give constructive feedback, provide information to and share resources with other units to
smooth out processes and take decisions collaboratively.

Flexibility/innovation: Ability to use new technologies and proactively come up with innovative approaches;
ability to lead and advocate the development towards a continuous learning culture.
Duration
3 years of which the first six months are probation, with a possibility of extension subject to performance and
ICIMOD’s future funding levels.
Starting Date
As soon as possible
Remuneration
Salaries and benefits of ICIMOD are competitive compared to other regional organizations; remuneration is
commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Gender and Equity Policy
Qualified and eligible women candidates and those from disadvantaged backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.
ICIMOD implements a gender fair policy and is supportive of working women. It operates a Day-Care Centre at the
campus and is committed to gender mainstreaming at the organisational and programmatic levels.
Method of application
Applicants are requested to apply online before 5 March 2014 through ICIMOD's Online Application System.
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.