Science, Technology and Innovation Assistant

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.

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

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.