Administrative Specialist

Position: Administrative Specialist
Assignment country: Nepal
Duty stations: Kathmandu
Work location: On UN premises
Expected start date: 30/09/2026
Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
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
Advertisement end date:12/07/2026

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
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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.

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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
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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

Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and the country’s main administrative, cultural, and economic centre. It is generally considered a family duty station and offers a wide range of amenities. The city is situated at an altitude of approximately 1,400 meters (4,600 ft) above sea level. The climate is subtropical highland. Summers (June – September) are warm and coincide with the monsoon season, bringing frequent rainfall. Winters (December – February) are generally cool and dry, with temperatures typically ranging from 2°C to 20°C. Kathmandu has several private hospitals and medical facilities capable of providing a broad range of healthcare services, although some specialized treatments may require referral abroad. Routine vaccinations should be up to date before arrival. No specific vaccination is required solely for residing in Kathmandu, though travelers should consult current health recommendations before deployment. The cost of living remains moderate, although imported goods can be relatively expensive. Kathmandu is generally considered safer than many major metropolitan cities but, as in any large urban area, personal security requires vigilance. Personnel are expected to follow organizational security guidelines, remain aware of their surroundings, and exercise caution when traveling after dark. Public transportation consists mainly of buses, microbuses, and taxis, though service quality and reliability can vary.

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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