Mission and objectives

UNRWA human development and humanitarian services encompass primary and vocational education, primary health care, relief and social services, infrastructure and camp improvement, microfinance and emergency response, including in situations of armed conflict.

Context

In light of the current crisis in Gaza, the UNV will be brought in to provide essential support to UNRWA’s response through its Representative Office in Cairo (ROCA). ROCA is playing a crucial role in both the political, representational and humanitarian spheres. This includes high-level diplomatic engagements with various stakeholders, coordination the humanitarian aid with other key actors in the country, managing its own procurement locally and abroad as well as logistics in Al Arish. ROCA promotes the mandate of the Agency vis-à-vis various stakeholders, including the League of Arab States, the host Government, UN Member States, UN sister agencies, and other stakeholders. Further, ROCA coordinates basic services and protection for Palestine refugees from Syria (PRS) in Egypt. Recently, the Agency has been facing existential attacks that would require the recruitment of a seasoned strategic advisor to assist in better positioning the agency to respond to the attacks and provide thorough analysis, among others.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Chief, ROCA, the UN Volunteer will: • Gathers information from different sources on developments in the Middle East and North Africa region as relates to UNRWA and its mandate and provide updates. • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of events relating to political issues in the region and outside. • Monitor and analyze national and regional level political and other developments with a view to providing advice to the Chief. • Keep abreast of the latest developments in the Agency field of operations, including situational crisis updates, prepare summaries to the supervisor, and respond to queries from external stakeholders. • Contribute to the drafting of reports, notes, background papers, talking points, speeches and other correspondence. • Conduct research on issues related to the Palestine refugee issues and UNRWA mandate. • Assist in preparing, updating and maintaining a variety of presentations and other communications materials. • Maintain working level contacts with other UN agencies and member states with a view to maintain up to date knowledge of relevant issues. • Performs other duties as may be assigned.

Competencies and values

• Analytical skills; • Adaptability and flexibility; • Creativity; • Judgement and decision-making; • Planning and organising; • Professionalism; • Self-management.

Living conditions and remarks

Cairo, Egypt is a family duty station with a wide range of services (health, education and leisure) and good living conditions. It has long been a center of the region’s political and cultural life, with high levels of tourism. Like other similar cities, Cairo offers good quality of life in terms of access to shopping centers, banks, medical services, educational facilities, cultural events, etc. The Arab Republic of Egypt has a unique geographical position in Northeast Africa, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, on the Mediterranean and Red Sea, and its connection to Sub Saharan Africa through the Nile Valley. UN International Specialist Volunteer gets the following package: • Volunteer Living Allowance (around EGP 52,800/Month) • Entry Lump-Sum = USD 400(one-time payment) • Exit Lump-Sum upon completion of contract. • Medical and life Insurance premium/Cigna (100%) and dependents policy. • Access to UNV E-Campus for training and learning including access to LinkedIn learning. Further entitlements and information available at: https://www.unv.org/volunteer-your-country-conditions-service.