Deputy Director General

The Deputy Director General (DDG) is a member of ICIMOD's Directorate and a senior management role supporting ICIMOD to deliver sustained results and measurable impact across the Hindu Kush Himalayas, in line with the vision and mission of Strategy 2030: Moving Mountains. Reporting to the Director General (DG) and working closely with the Director of Administration, Finance, and Operations (DAFO) and Senior Management Committee (SMC), the DDG is accountable for performance, quality, and delivery across ICIMOD’s climate and environment-related research-for-development portfolio, including practical solutions for green, resilient and inclusive mountain development.

The role supports Board-level governance and assurance processes; collaborates with the DG and SMC on strategic change priorities to strengthen institutional effectiveness and future fitness; and supports the DG to ensure coherence across institution-wide planning and monitoring, partnerships and regional cooperation, business development and resource mobilisation, and communications and knowledge uptake. As a visible representative of ICIMOD, the DDG engages in high-level national, regional, and global forums, navigates geopolitical complexity with sound judgment, and provides interim leadership in the Director General's absence.

A.    Education: An advanced university degree (minimum master’s; PhD highly preferred) in environmental sciences, climate change, natural resource management, development studies, public policy, environmental economics, international development, or another field relevant to ICIMOD’s mandate.

B.    Executive leadership and people management:

·       A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience, including at least 10 years in senior leadership or executive management roles, within international, regional, or complex multi-stakeholder organisations.

·       Strong leadership and people management experience, including oversight of senior managers and multidisciplinary teams, and the ability to build a high-performance, inclusive, and ethical organisational culture.

·       Demonstrated commitment to inclusive leadership, gender equality and social inclusion, ethical conduct, and strengthening the organisation’s strategic positioning, partnerships and funding base.

C.    Strategy, governance, and Board engagement

·       Demonstrated experience in shaping institutional strategy and translating long-term vision into coherent operational and portfolio priorities.

·       Proven ability to work effectively with governing bodies, including Board of Governors-level engagement, and with senior management committees and diverse institutional stakeholders.

·       Strong understanding of governance, compliance, financial and risk management, and accountability in an international or intergovernmental setting, including the ability to support robust decision-making and institutional assurance.

D.    Portfolio leadership, quality, and impact

·       Extensive experience leading large, complex, multi-country and/or multi-thematic programmes, including research-for-development, policy-oriented, or knowledge portfolios related to climate, biodiversity, the environment, and sustainable development.

·       Proven track record of ensuring scientific quality, innovation, and relevance, and of translating evidence into policy influence and development impact related to climate, biodiversity, the environment, and sustainable development.

·       Strong understanding of finance and budget management, human resources management, and other administrative processes.

·       Strong expertise in results-based management, monitoring, evaluation and learning, and adaptive management frameworks, including within knowledge-based organisations.

E.    Partnerships, regional cooperation, and diplomacy

·       Demonstrated ability to establish and sustain high-level partnerships with governments, regional bodies, non-state actors, and academic organisations.

·       Proven ability to operate effectively in geopolitically complex environments, exercising sound judgement, diplomacy, and political acuity while safeguarding institutional credibility and relationships.

·       Familiarity with the HKH region and its environmental, socio-economic, and geopolitical dynamics, and substantial experience working in, or on issues relevant to, developing country or regional contexts.

F.    Business development and resource mobilisation

·       Extensive experience in strategic resource mobilisation, donor engagement, and fundraising for large-scale programmes or portfolios.

·       Ability to align resource mobilisation and funding strategies with institutional priorities, impact objectives, and long-term financial sustainability.

G.    Communication, representation, and advocacy

·       Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

·       Understanding of communications and engagement approaches in the development sector.

·       Proven experience representing an organisation in high-level regional and international forums and policy processes, including the ability to communicate complex evidence with credibility and influence.

This is an international position at ICIMOD with a competitive and attractive salary and benefits package, which includes a basic salary, provident fund, family/post adjustment allowance, child/dependency allowances, insurances (medical, life and accidental), children’s education grant for a maximum of two (2) children below 18 years of age, severance pay, paid leave (30 holidays and 10 public holidays per year) and a child daycare facility. 

The DDG is also entitled to a dedicated vehicle with driver support.

Expatriate (non-Nepali national) staff are entitled to housing allowance, annual home leave ticket, shipment of personal effects, and a relocation and repatriation allowance.

For expatriates, there is a tax exemption in Nepal; they are responsible for paying their home country’s taxes.

Full Terms of Reference: ICIMOD DDG ToR 2026.pdf