UN-Habitat Nepal Vacancy for Social and Livelihood Associate

Assignment country: Nepal
Duty stations: Jajarkot
Work location: UN Premises
Expected start date: 16/03/2026
Duration: 4 months
Sustainable Development Goal: 11. Sustainable cities and communities
Host entity: UN-HABITAT NPL
Modality: Onsite
Type: National
Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS to Mar2026
Work arrangement: Full-time
Number of Assignments: 1
Advertisement end date:27/02/2026

Details

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the United Nations agency based in Nairobi (Kenya-The Headquarter) and active in over 90 countries around the world (including Nepal). It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable cities and settlements with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat is the lead agency within the UN system for coordinating activities in the field of human settlement development and the UN leading the collaboration with local and regional governments and their networks.

Context

This UNV assignment is a part of the “Livelihoods Improvement and Disaster Resilience Enhancement in the areas affected by Earthquake in Jajarkot” project, with the objective to provide support and oversee the work carried out by the local implementing partner in the field of social mobilization and livelihood initiative. This includes series of consultation workshops for the site verification, design validation, construction and monitoring process and expanding livelihood opportunities through market linkage, skill and entrepreneurship development in Jajarkot and Rukum West (in five local governments: Bheri, Nalgadh, Sanibheri, Aathbiskot, and Barekot).

The UNV (Social and Livelihood Associate) will work closely with the UN-Habitat project team (especially Project coordinator, Project Engineer, Communication and Admin), local implementing partner (including the Field Coordinator, Social Mobilizers, and Assistant Engineer), the UNDP field team (municipal associates) and local government representatives of project districts. The main role is to support smooth and effective implementation of all social mobilization and livelihood promotion initiatives. In addition, the incumbent will support the project engineer for timely reporting and proper documentation (photo, video, minute, event report, data management) of all activities. Regular field visits, community consultations, and coordination with local authorities are key parts of this role.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of Habitat Programme Manager and day-to-day guidance of the Project Coordinator and in close coordination with the Project Engineer and Project team, the UNV Livelihood and Social Associate Choose an item. (Specialist) based in Jajarkot t will:

•  Support to conduct series of consultations and coordination meetings to identify key areas for livelihood inputs and capacity buildings. Support in assessing training needs for skill and enterprise development, conduct training and handholding leading to support in establishing enterprises.
•  Support to conduct series of consultation and coordination meetings for the site verification, design validation, ensure effective participation for its implementation and build a strong ownership of the public infrastructures (irrigation canals, trail, common facility center, market center, etc.) and establish its link with livelihood and market linkages.
•  Support conducting meetings, workshops and trainings to promote entrepreneurship and skill development for enhancing livelihood opportunities.
•  Carry out regular field visits to identify potential social issues and provide timely input and accurate updates on the status of ongoing work.
•  Support and prepare meeting minutes, event reports, event news, social media post, impact stories. field level database management, photo and video documentation of the event and systematic compilation of all relevant documents.
•  Ensure inclusion and accessibility in the construction and livelihood initiatives.
• Collaborate with multiple stakeholders, including local government officials, UN-Habitat and UNDP teams, local implementing partner and community members, and assist to foster smooth coordination and teamwork for the successful delivery of project activities.
•  Support to prepare monthly, quarterly progress reports in coordination with the field engineer for donors reporting.
•  Perform any other assignments, as requested by the Habitat Programme Manager in consultation with the Regional Advisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
•  Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
•  Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
•  Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc;
•  Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
•  Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
• As an active UN-Habitat team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UN-Habitat and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

o Preparation of case stories, training materials/reports/note, minutes, data sheets
o Preparation of event reports
o Photo, video, infographics, social media post, event news

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 – 80

Required experience: 3 years

Nationality; Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience: 3 years

Languages

Nepalese, Level: Fluent, Required
English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Master’s degree in Sociology, Anthropology, Development Studies, Community Development, Entrepreneurship Development, Rural Development or related social field.

Competencies and values

Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UN-Habitat; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UN-Habitat procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UN-Habitat in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;

Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;

Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UN-Habitat’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Skills and experience

•  Demonstrated experience of working with communities, local governments, community organizations and multi stakeholders.
•  Demonstrated experience in training support (training material development and training delivery) in livelihood initiatives and entrepreneurship development
•  Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others;
•  Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills;
•  Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team;
•  Flexible and open to learning and new experiences;
•  Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions;
• Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded;
•  Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, and others).

Area(s) of expertise

Social work, Community development

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

The municipalities in Jajarkot and Rukum West of Nepal provide for an interesting and enriching environment together with huge learning opportunities in local governance in one of the remote and earthquake affected parts of Nepal. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and geographically remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

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

Scam warning

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