Are you passionate about driving impactful change in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions? Here’s your chance to make a difference. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is on the hunt for a visionary Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist to lead strategic efforts in enhancing climate resilience and sustainability across the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region. But here’s where it gets exciting: this role isn’t just about data—it’s about shaping the future of two groundbreaking projects that are transforming lives in Bangladesh and Pakistan. And this is the part most people miss: your work will directly contribute to restoring ecosystems, safeguarding livelihoods, and aligning with global sustainability goals like the SDGs. But here’s where it gets controversial: How do we balance rigorous monitoring with the need for adaptive, community-driven solutions? Is it possible to achieve both accountability and flexibility in such complex environments? We’re looking for someone who isn’t afraid to tackle these questions head-on.
Application Deadline: 5 December 2025 (11:59 PM Nepal Standard Time)
Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
Organisation: International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
Position Overview
ICIMOD (https://www.icimod.org/get-involved/vacancies/) is seeking a seasoned Senior MEL Specialist to provide strategic leadership and technical expertise across its diverse portfolio. You’ll primarily support two flagship Adaptation Fund projects: the Green, Resilient, and Adaptive Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) Economy in Bangladesh (GRACE) and Sustainable Actions for Ecosystem Restoration in Pakistan (SAFER Pakistan). But your impact won’t stop there—you’ll also play a key role in strengthening ICIMOD’s institutional results framework. This isn’t just a job; it’s an opportunity to pioneer innovative MEL approaches that enhance climate resilience, sustainability, and measurable impact across the HKH region.
Project Spotlight
The GRACE Project (Bangladesh)
Implemented in partnership with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) under the LoCALplus mechanism, GRACE is a game-changer for climate resilience in the Chattogram Hill Tracts. By restoring water sources, building climate-resilient infrastructure, and promoting sustainable agriculture in Rangamati, Khagrachari, and Bandarban, GRACE is empowering local communities. What sets it apart? It channels climate finance directly to local governments through performance-based grants, ensuring transparency and equity. But here’s the challenge: How do we measure the long-term impact of these interventions while adapting to evolving community needs?
The SAFER Pakistan Project
In collaboration with UNICEF Pakistan and UN Women Pakistan, SAFER is tackling six major climate risks in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh—from cryosphere hazards to water pollution. Through integrated water resource management and ecosystem-based adaptation, SAFER aims to restore ecological balance and protect livelihoods. But this project raises a critical question: How do we ensure that our monitoring systems capture the nuanced, long-term benefits of ecosystem restoration?
Both projects are at pivotal implementation stages, demanding robust MEL frameworks to ensure sustainable outcomes. This is where you come in.
Your Role and Impact
As the Senior MEL Specialist, you’ll be the driving force behind strategic guidance, technical support, and quality assurance for MEL across both projects and institutional initiatives. Your responsibilities will include:
- Designing and managing comprehensive MEL frameworks for GRACE and SAFER, ensuring they align with ICIMOD’s institutional goals and Adaptation Fund requirements.
- Providing technical oversight for data collection, performance measurement, and outcome evaluation—ensuring every piece of data tells a meaningful story.
- Supporting project teams in developing logical frameworks, indicators, and data management tools that are both practical and impactful.
- Facilitating learning processes by identifying key lessons, documenting best practices, and fostering adaptive management across project cycles.
- Strengthening staff capacity through training and mentoring, empowering teams to embrace MEL as a tool for continuous improvement.
- Collaborating with partners—from national governments to international agencies—to ensure coherence and consistency in MEL practices.
- Contributing to institutional reporting and knowledge dissemination, sharing project outcomes and impacts with stakeholders worldwide.
Why This Role Matters
This position is nestled within ICIMOD’s Strategic Results, Partnerships, and Business Development (SRPBD) Unit, ensuring your work aligns seamlessly with organizational quality standards. You’ll thrive in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment, working alongside scientists, policy experts, and partners across South and Central Asia. But what makes this role truly unique? It’s your chance to bridge the gap between data and action, proving that rigorous monitoring and adaptive learning can coexist—and even thrive—in complex, real-world contexts.
Qualifications and Experience
- Education: Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in Monitoring and Evaluation, Development Studies, Environmental Management, or a related field.
- Experience: Minimum 10 years in MEL, preferably within international development, climate change adaptation, or environmental programmes.
- Expertise: Proven track record in designing MEL systems, developing indicators, and conducting evaluations.
- Skills: Strong analytical, reporting, and communication abilities, with a knack for distilling complex data into actionable insights.
- Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and engage diverse stakeholders, from governments to NGOs.
- Advantage: Familiarity with climate resilience, adaptation, and sustainable development frameworks.
Application Process
Ready to take on this challenge? Apply online through the ICIMOD Vacancy Application Portal by 5 December 2025 (11:59 PM Nepal Standard Time). Include a detailed CV and cover letter highlighting your relevant experience. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. For queries, reach out to emailprotected.
About ICIMOD
ICIMOD is a regional intergovernmental learning and knowledge-sharing hub serving the eight countries of the Hindu Kush Himalaya. Through applied research, partnerships, and innovative solutions, ICIMOD empowers mountain communities while preserving the region’s ecosystems and cultural heritage. By joining us, you’ll contribute to a mission that’s both urgent and inspiring: improving lives and livelihoods while safeguarding our planet’s treasures.
Join the Conversation
Think you’ve got what it takes? We’d love to hear your thoughts! How do you think MEL can be more inclusive of community voices? Can data-driven approaches truly capture the complexity of climate resilience? Share your insights in the comments—let’s spark a dialogue that drives change. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Telegram for more opportunities like this.
Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) (https://www.globalsouthopportunities.com/) is not the hiring organization. For inquiries, contact ICIMOD directly. Applications sent to GSO cannot be processed. Due to high email volumes, we may not respond to all inquiries. Thank you for understanding.
