Media and Research Associate

Position: Media and Research Associate
Duty stations: Kathmandu
Work location: On UN premises
Expected start date: 01/07/2026
Duration: 6 months
Long-term benefits and allowances
Sustainable Development Goal

17. Partnerships for the goals

Host entity: IOM
Modality: Onsite
Type: International
Volunteer category: Associate UCoS from Apr2026
Work arrangement: Full-time
Number of Assignments: 1
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Details

Mission and objectives

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading UN organization on migration and the principle intergovernmental organization in the field of migration, observing a vital role to support member states find comprehensive solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges through harnessing the power of migration. IOM in close coordination with key stakeholders, migrants and members states work towards promoting safe, orderly and regular migration through various interventions that connect both humanitarian assistance and sustainable development. IOM in Nepal continues to expand its organizational mandate in Nepal, since its inception in 2006. Through promotion of national ownership and in close collaboration with the Government authorities, United Nations (UN) agencies, international and non- governmental organizations, civil society and local communities, IOM Nepal contributes to uphold the rights of people on the move by offering migration management services in the following areas: Humanitarian Emergencies; Movement Assistance; Migration and Health, Migration and Development and Migration Environment, Climate Change and Risk Reduction.
IOM Nepal work is rooted in the principles and priorities of international and regional frames such as: The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023 – 2027; The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM); The IOM Migration Governance Framework (MiGOF); and The IOM Regional Strategy for Asia and the Pacific 2020 – 2024. Notably, IOM’s Nepal interventions align with the strategies and objectives of the Government, the donor community, and other key actors in the sphere of migration.

Context

As part of the UN Country Team, IOM actively contributes to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027. IOM has also partnered with the UN team to support the government in its Voluntary National Review processes and planning a smooth and quality transition as Nepal prepares for graduation to a Middle-income Country by the end of 2026. IOM continues to co-lead the CCCM cluster with the Ministry of Urban Development as the lead, to plan for preparedness and response. IOM also co-chairs the development partners Migration Group
with SDC Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission and direct supervision of the Project Support Officer, the selected candidate will support IOMs efforts across programme development, partnership building, media and communications support and internal project monitoring and evaluation. The position will require to work closely with the Project Support Officer and relevant project staff and contribute to research, coordination and reporting tasks while also facilitating external engagement through media management. Additionally, the candidate will also support daily mission tasks including engagements with the internal and external stakeholders, the UN and support expansion of IOM’s mandate with country’s broader development strategies.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of Project Support Officer and overall supervision of the Chief of Mission, the Migration Research Associate (the UN Volunteer) will undertake the following tasks:

1. Support all different aspects of programme development and migration mainstream-ing, as a cross-cutting issue, in UN processes and frameworks including support to programme units on results based UNSDCF reporting.
2. Support functions of programme support unit, including desk-research, development of programme related communications and public information, programme briefs, project reporting in line with IOM standards.
3. Support development and implementation of internal Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) strategy for the mission and maintain up-to-date knowledge of IOMs ongoing projects and contribute to the development of knowledge management tools for IOM operational and development programming, when necessary.
4. Liaise with relevant programme units and support development of visibility materials, including impactful stories and videos highlighting IOM’s contributions to national de-velopment at community level in line with IOM global and regional call for content and other media requests.

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
This assignment is funded by the Agency for Volunteer Service (AVS), and only candidates pre-selected by AVS are eligible.

Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
No experience required

Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Secondary education

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Building Trust
• Commitment and Motivation
• Communication
• Creativity
• Ethics and Values
• Integrity
• Planning and Organizing
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity
• Self-Management
• Vision
• Working in Teams

Skills and experience

Demonstrated interest in:

•  Development of information materials, conducting desk and field research, and sup-porting media outreach activities
•  Community Engagement, communication strategies
•  Strong writing, editing and digital content creation skills

Area(s) of expertise
Communication, Community development, Development programmes

Driving license
–

Other information
Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

Living conditions and remarks

Nepal, a landlocked country in South Asia, features diverse geography from the lowland Terai plains to the towering Himalayan mountains, including Mount Everest. The climate varies significantly by altitude, with tropical conditions in the south and alpine weather in the north. The country experiences a distinct monsoon season from June to September, bringing
heavy rains, particularly in the mid-hills and Terai region, which may cause disruption to road infrastructures. The assignment will take place in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal.
Kathmandu is classified as a family duty station with a hardship classification B. Despite some infrastructure challenges, Kathmandu is a liveable city known for the warmth and hospitality of the Nepali people. The city offers a blend of traditional culture and modern amenities. Living conditions in Kathmandu are generally good, with access to essential services such as healthcare and education. Kathmandu experiences a temperate climate, with warm summers and cool winters. The monsoon season runs from June to September, bringing heavy rainfall. Daytime temperatures in summer average around 25°C to 30°C, while winter temperatures can drop to 2°C at night. Many hotels, restaurants, and businesses in Kathmandu accept major international credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express). ATMs are widely available in the city for cash withdrawals. Accommodation options in Kathmandu are diverse, ranging from budget apartments to more luxurious housing. Rent for furnished accommodations can range from 300 to 1500 USD per month.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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