Associate Environment Officer, Kathmandu

General

Description of assignment title: Associate Environment Officer

Assignment country: Nepal

Duty stations: Kathmandu

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 12/12/2026

Duration: 13 months(with possibility of extension)Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal: 13. Climate action

Host entity: UNESCO Nepal

Modality: Onsite

Type: International

Volunteer category: Specialist UCo S from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives

• UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in education, sciences and culture. UNESCO's programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.

Context

• Nepal faces growing climate and disaster risks, increasing water insecurity, and persistent gaps in access to scientific knowledge and innovation. UNESCO Kathmandu’s Sciences portfolio addresses these challenges through work on climate adaptation and resilience, sustainable water management, climate finance, and science, technology and innovation (STI). The assignment will support programme continuity by translating technical evidence and stakeholder priorities into finance-ready project ideas, policy inputs and practical knowledge products. Working within the multidisciplinary UNESCO programmes, the UN Volunteer will contribute through research, knowledge generation, technical analysis, ideation, drafting and programme support.

Task description

• Under the direct supervision of The Head of the Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• 1. Climate adaptation and finance: Support research and synthesis on climate adaptation, water resilience and disaster-related issues in Nepal, and contribute to the identification of relevant programme and funding opportunities and the preparation of project concepts and proposals.

• 2. Biodiversity management: Generate and synthesize knowledge for biodiversity initiatives, including work related to UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme, International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists; develop ideas and technical inputs; and contribute to background papers, concept notes, workplans and materials for consultations led by UNESCO.

• 3. Science, technology and innovation: Support research, coordination and knowledge management activities related to UNESCO's Science, Technology and Innovation portfolio in Nepal, including preparation of reports, policy briefs, presentations, meeting documentation and other knowledge products. Contribute to stakeholder engagements, events and related follow-up activities.

• 4. Project development, resource mobilization and results management: Support the development of concept notes, project proposals, donor submissions and partnership documents, including results frameworks, budgets, indicators, monitoring tools, progress tracking, risk analysis, reporting, evaluation and learning products.

• WORKPLAN

• During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance feedback.

Eligibility criteria

Age

• 18 - 80

Required experience

• 3 years

Donor priorities

• This assignment is funded by the Government of Norway and therefore specific criteria apply:

• - Applicants must be Norwegian nationals.

• - Applicants who already served on a UN Volunteer assignment funded by the Government of Norway are not eligible.

• APPLICATION DEADLINE

• 25 October 2026 (23:59 UTC)

• SELECTION

• - Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment. Interviews will be conducted by UN Host Entities in November.

• +++ UN Volunteer entitlement calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator +++

Nationality

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

Additional eligibility criteria

• .

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

• 1 year

Languages

• English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

• Master's degree in Environmental Science, Climate Change, Natural Resource Management, Water Resource Management, Sustainable Development, Development Studies or another relevant field.

• A bachelor’s degree may be considered in lieu of the standard educational requirement for candidates with three years of relevant experience.

Competencies and values

• Adaptability and Flexibility

• Communication

• Creativity

• Knowledge Sharing

• Leadership

• Planning and Organizing

• Technological Awareness

• Vision

• Working in Teams

Skills and experience

• Minimum of one year of relevant experience (three years of relevant experience required for candidates holding a bachelor's degree):

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• Demonstrated experience in programme/project support, research, coordination or project development in the areas of climate change, environment, water resilience, natural resource management, sustainable development or related fields.

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• Experience or knowledge of climate-change adaptation, water resilience, natural resource management and/or biodiversity would be an advantage.

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• Experience in project proposal development, resource mobilization, monitoring and reporting would be an advantage.;

• Skills in

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• Project and programme support and coordination

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• Research, analysis and knowledge management

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• Report, proposal and concept-note writing

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• Strong professional writing and communication skills

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• Good planning and organizational skills

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• Proficiency in standard MS Office applications

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• Knowledge of climate finance and/or resource mobilization would be an advantage

Area(s) of expertise

• Energy, Natural resources management

Driving license

• -

Other information