Associate Environment Officer
Organizational Context
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, aims to foster peace through international cooperation in education, science, and culture, contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In Nepal, UNESCO addresses significant climate and disaster risks, water insecurity, and gaps in scientific knowledge. The Kathmandu office focuses on climate adaptation, resilience, sustainable water management, climate finance, and science, technology, and innovation (STI). This role supports programme continuity by translating evidence into actionable project ideas and policy inputs.
Job Purpose
This assignment supports UNESCO's Science portfolio in Nepal, which tackles climate and disaster risks, water insecurity, and scientific knowledge gaps. The UN Volunteer will play a crucial role in translating technical evidence and stakeholder priorities into practical outputs, including finance-ready project ideas, policy recommendations, and knowledge products. Working within UNESCO's multidisciplinary programmes, the volunteer will contribute to climate adaptation, resilience, sustainable water management, climate finance, and science, technology, and innovation (STI) initiatives. The role involves research, knowledge generation, technical analysis, ideation, drafting, and programme support to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of UNESCO's science-related work in the country.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake key tasks including: Climate Adaptation and Finance: Conducting research and synthesizing information on climate adaptation, water resilience, and disaster-related issues in Nepal. Identifying relevant programme and funding opportunities, and contributing to the preparation of project concepts and proposals. Biodiversity Management: Generating and synthesizing knowledge for biodiversity initiatives, including those related to UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme. Developing technical inputs and contributing to background papers, concept notes, and consultation materials. Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI): Supporting research, coordination, and knowledge management for UNESCO's STI portfolio in Nepal. This includes preparing reports, policy briefs, presentations, and other knowledge products, as well as contributing to stakeholder engagement and events. Project Development and Resource Mobilization: Assisting in the development of concept notes, project proposals, donor submissions, and partnership documents. This involves creating results frameworks, budgets, indicators, monitoring tools, and reporting mechanisms.
Work Experience
A minimum of one year of relevant experience is required. Candidates with a Bachelor's degree must have three years of relevant experience. Experience should include programme/project support, research, coordination, or project development in climate change, environment, water resilience, natural resource management, or sustainable development. Experience in project proposal development, resource mobilization, monitoring, and reporting is advantageous.
Skills
Key competencies include adaptability, flexibility, communication, creativity, knowledge sharing, leadership, planning, organization, technological awareness, vision, and teamwork. Specific technical skills required are proficiency in project and programme support and coordination, research, analysis, knowledge management, report and proposal writing, and standard MS Office applications. Knowledge of climate finance or resource mobilization is beneficial.