Science, Technology and Innovation Assistant, Kathmandu

General

Description of assignment title: Science, Technology and Innovation Assistant

Assignment country: Nepal

Duty stations: Kathmandu

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 12/01/2026

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 UCo S from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

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:

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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

Donor priorities

• -

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

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• 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.

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

• Skills in

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

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

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

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

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• 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

Driving license

• -

Other information