Administrative Specialist, Kathmandu, Nepal

General

Description of assignment title: Administrative Specialist

Assignment country: Nepal

Duty stations: Kathmandu

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 09/30/2026

Duration: 12 months(with possibility of extension)Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Host entity: UNODC NPL

Modality: Onsite

Type: International

Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives:

• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was established in 1997 and is the global leader in the fight for global peace and security, human rights, and development by making the world safer from drugs, crime, corruption, and terrorism by working for and with Member States to promote justice and the rule of law and build resilient societies. UNODC has its Headquarters in Vienna, Austria, and supports 150 countries and territories around the world, with physical presence in 111 countries through its network of 11 Regional Offices, 7 Country Offices, and the liaison offices in New York and Brussels, with a total of 3,276 personnel globally, 77 per cent of them based in the field. UNODC works closely with Governments and civil society towards building security and justice for all.
• The UNODC Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA) covers 6 countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka). In addition to the Regional Office located in New Delhi, India, there are 5 Programmes Offices in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. ROSA has in place a Regional Programme for South Asia (2024-2028) (RPSA) which articulates five focus areas for guiding UNODC-implemented programming at the regional and national levels: 1. Addressing and countering the world drug problem; 2. Preventing and countering organized crime; 3. Preventing and countering corruption and economic crime; 4. Preventing and countering terrorism; 5. Crime prevention and criminal justice.

Context:

• The Programme Office is located inside the United Nations House Nepal in Lalitpur, Kathmandu. It is a country-level field office that operates under the supervision of the UNODC Regional Office for South Asia, which is based in New Delhi. The Nepal office is headed by a Head of Office (HoO), who provides overall leadership, donor coordination, government liaison, and strategic oversight. The HoO is supported by programme / technical teams, and staff responsible for operations, administration and finance. The UN Volunteer will support programme implementation of the UNODC Programme Office Nepal in close cooperation with UNODC Regional Office for South Asia and the UNODC Border Management Branch.

Task description:

• Under the overall oversight of the Regional Representative and the direct supervision of the Head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC ) Programme Office Nepal / Asia Deputy Coordinator Border Management Branch, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
• Research Support: Assist in the design and execution of research activities and knowledge management strategies related to all kinds of criminal activities at borders.
• Assist in conducting context analysis to monitor trends, risks, and developments in the trafficking landscape at national and international levels.
• Support data collection, capture, and verification processes to ensure accurate information for decision-making.
• Contribute to the formulation of concept notes, project proposals, and donor briefs, in coordination with relevant technical sections at the regional and global levels.
• Project Implementation: Assist in the execution of program activities.
• Provide support to establish and maintain regular contact with key national counterparts, including relevant ministries, law enforcement and judicial authorities, and other government institutions.
• Contribute to the engagement with donors, international partners, and development agencies to present the organization's mandate and explore areas for collaboration.
• Assist in communication and coordination between the organization and UN partners, international organizations, and civil society actors.
• Prepare regular situation updates, mission reports, and briefing notes.
• Promote the organization's mandate, expertise, and global frameworks at the national and UN system levels.
• Map existing and potential partners operating in relevant thematic areas.
• Support administrative, logistical, procurement, and operational arrangements required for project activity facilitation.
• During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with their 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:

• .

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

Additional eligibility criteria:

• This assignment, including a 12-month contract extension, is funded by Spain and therefore candidates must be Spanish nationals.
• Candidates who already served on a UN Volunteer assignment funded by Spain are not eligible.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection will be carried out by the UN Host Entity in the country of assignment.
• +++ UN Volunteer entitlement calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator +++

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

• 3 years

Languages:

• English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level:

• Bachelor's degree in International relations, political science, law, social science or a related field

Competencies and values:

• Accountability
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and Decision-making
• Planning and Organizing
• Professionalism
• Self-Management
• Working in Teams

Skills and experience:

• Experience description:
• the field of crime prevention, organized crime, human rights or other relevant fields.
• Working experience with the United Nations or related organizations is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of UN practices and procedures is an advantage.
• Accuracy and professionalism in document creation and editing is important.
• Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.
• Skills in:
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.

Area(s) of expertise:

• Administration, Business management, Legal affairs

Driving license:

• -

Other information