General

Description of assignment title

Science, Technology and Innovation Assistant

Assignment country

Nepal

Duty stations

Kathmandu

Work location

On UN premises

Expected start date

01/12/2026

Duration

6 months (Long-term benefits and allowances)

Sustainable Development Goal

9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Host entity

UNESCO Nepal

Modality

Onsite

Type

International

Volunteer category

Associate UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule

Full-time

Number of Assignments

1

Advertisement end date

04/11/2026 18:00

Details

Mission and objectives

UNESCO contributes to peace and sustainable development through international cooperation in education, the sciences, culture, communication and information. In the Natural Sciences, UNESCO advances climate action, biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, water security and disaster risk reduction, while strengthening international cooperation in science, technology and innovation. It does so by generating and sharing scientific knowledge, reinforcing science-policy interfaces and building institutional and technical capacities. In Nepal, UNESCO works with government institutions, academia and research organizations, UN entities, civil society, communities and development partners to translate this mandate into national action, including on water and climate resilience, science, technology and innovation evidence and reporting, biodiversity and ecosystems, local and Indigenous knowledge, and intersectoral climate and sustainability education. This includes the start of work with Nepal’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation on adequate indicators for reporting, with attention to gender perspectives in science and innovation evidence.

Context

UNESCO implements a multidisciplinary Natural Sciences portfolio that connects scientific knowledge, data and policy with sustainable development in Nepal. The assignment is aligned with UNESCO’s priorities for the Natural Sciences, especially climate action, biodiversity, water security, disaster risk reduction and international cooperation in science, technology and innovation. Current priorities include water security and climate resilience through the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), including Climate Risk

Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA); the start of work with Nepal’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation on Science Technology and Innovation evidence, indicators and reporting, including gender perspectives; activities related to the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) and Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS); the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme and biosphere-reserve related work. The six-month assignment offers a structured learning and professional-development opportunity for a recent graduate or young professional. Working with the Natural Sciences team and partners from government, academia, research institutions, UN entities, communities and development partners, the UN Volunteer will apply scientific, quantitative and analytical skills while gaining practical exposure to science-policy processes, programme implementation, stakeholder engagement, knowledge management, monitoring and reporting, and communication of science for sustainable development.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the UNESCO Office in Kathmandu / UNESCO Representative to Nepal, and with day-to-day technical guidance from the Natural Sciences programme team, the UN Volunteer will support UNESCO’s science-policy and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) work in Nepal and undertake the following tasks:

Support reviews of scientific literature, technical reports, datasets, and policy documents relevant to science-policy, Science, Technology and Innovation, and UNESCO’s Natural Sciences portfolio, and synthesize evidence for programme planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.

Contribute to science-policy support for water security and climate-resilience work under the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), including CRIDA, through data compilation, background research, policy-relevant summaries, workshop/training materials, documentation, and knowledge products.

Support Science, Technology and Innovation work, including the start of engagement with Nepal’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, by assisting with collection and validation of STI indicators, including gender-related data where available; mapping STI policies, institutions, universities, research centres, and innovation actors; and preparing basic analyses, tables, and visualizations for reporting.

Assist in mapping science-policy entry points and knowledge systems related to the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) and Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS), including desk research, evidence documentation, stakeholder mapping, consultation support, and preparation of knowledge materials.

Contribute to Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme activities by supporting the compilation of biodiversity, ecosystem, socio-economic, and other relevant evidence; basic mapping and data visualization; stakeholder consultations; and documentation to inform biosphere reserve-related science-policy work.

Assist in translating scientific, quantitative, and STI-related information into accessible policy briefs, presentations, technical summaries, reports, charts, and other knowledge products for government, academic, community, UN, and development-partner audiences.

Support science-policy meetings, STI consultations, trainings, workshops, field activities, and partner engagements by preparing background notes and materials, taking notes, tracking action points, updating work trackers, and contributing to programme monitoring and reporting.

Participate as part of a multidisciplinary team, engage professionally with government, academia, research organizations, UN entities, communities, and development partners, and undertake other related support tasks consistent with the assignment’s science-policy focus and learning objectives.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 – 80

Required experience

1 month

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Additional eligibility criteria: As this assignment is funded by CYVA, specific eligibility criteria apply. Candidates must be Chinese nationals affiliated with a university participating in CYVA’s programme.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

No experience required

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Desirable

Required education level: Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences or Biotechnology; Engineering; Mathematics and Applied Mathematics; Statistics; Science and Technology Policy; or another relevant STEM or science-policy field

Competencies and values

Accountability

Adaptability and Flexibility

Commitment and Motivation

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Communication

Creativity

Empowering Others

Ethics and Values

Integrity

Judgement and Decision-making

Knowledge Sharing

Leadership

Managing Performance

Planning and Organizing

Professionalism

Respect for Diversity

Self-Management

Technological Awareness

Working in Teams

Skills and experience

Demonstrated interest and/or experience (up to two years) in: Scientific or applied research, data collection or analysis, laboratory/research environments, quantitative methods, engineering, or another relevant STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) setting; and

One or more sustainable development themes relevant to the assignment, such as climate change, water, biodiversity and ecosystems, science, technology and innovation (STI), local/Indigenous knowledge, and/or science communication.

Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture (i.e., studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

Skills in

Research and analytical thinking, including the ability to review and synthesize scientific or technical information;

Data handling and basic quantitative analysis using spreadsheets; familiarity with statistical software, programming, and data visualization tools is an asset;

Clear written and verbal communication, including preparation of concise notes, reports, presentations, and science communication materials;

Good digital literacy, attention to detail, and ability to organize information systematically; and

Ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural and interdisciplinary team, with initiative, curiosity, and willingness to learn.

Area(s) of expertise

Information technology and telecommunications, Natural resources management, Energy

Other information

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

Living conditions and remarks

Kathmandu is in Low level (Level 2) of the UN Security level but may change depending on the development of the security situation. English is widely spoken and understood by both locals and expats and is the business language in Kathmandu although Nepali and Nepal Bhasa are the official national languages of Nepal. Kathmandu has a multi-ethnic population with the majority being Hindu and Buddhist. Religious and cultural festivities form a major part of the lives of people residing in Kathmandu. In terms of living costs, Kathmandu is considered as a very inexpensive city with average living expenses being significantly low compared to numerous other Asian cities. The climate in the city of Kathmandu is characterised by warm days followed by cool nights and mornings and unpredictable weather can be expected given that winter temperatures can drop to 1ºC or less. During the monsoon season (June to August) heavy rainfalls reach the city with average humidity of about 75%. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

Scam warning

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