Organization Mission

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

Egypt is a signatory state to the1951 convention relating to the status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, as well as the 1969 OAU convention governing specific aspects of refugee problems in Africa. In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding of 1954 concluded between UNHCR and the government of Egypt, all activities pertaining to Registration, documentation and refugee status determination are carried out by UNHCR. UNHCR offices in Egypt has offices in Greater Cairo (6th October and Zamalek district) as well as a field office in Alexandria.

Context

As of June 2025, the Arab Republic of Egypt, which continues to be an important destination and transit country for migratory movements in and beyond North Africa, hosts 1,002,524 refugees and asylum-seekers. Particularly following the outbreak of hostilities in neighbouring countries, Egypt has witnessed a large influx of third country nationals. This has affected Egypt”s previously stable situation and low security risks, which had facilitated UNHCR activities through considerable access and community acceptance. The socio-economic environment in Egypt remains challenging, especially for vulnerable refugee families. Limited income-generating opportunities and restricted access to public services have heightened vulnerabilities. With the conflict evolving, it is expected that the number of people fleeing into Egypt will continue to grow.

Key Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Associate Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer, the UN Volunteer will primarily support activities related to the cross-border movement. S/he will play an essential role in advancing solutions by maintaining strong and consistent communication with the affected communities. In close coordination with the Community-Based Protection (CBP) team, the volunteer will support the planning and organization of focus group discussions (FGDs), assist during the sessions by taking detailed minutes, and contribute to the drafting of initial reports summarizing key findings and concerns raised by participants.

The volunteer will also assist with the logistics for the implementation of the perception survey, ensuring that activities are carried out smoothly and efficiently. S/he will also be responsible for monitoring trends and developments within the community, including those circulated in the news and on social media circulated by UNHCR’s external relations team, and will highlight relevant issues to inform programmatic responses. The role further entails drafting various reports as required and providing timely support to the supervisor on urgent matters requiring follow-up. Through these tasks, the volunteer will contribute to the evidence-based planning and implementation of protection and solutions-oriented interventions for refugees.

Required Skills and Experience

• Experience with working with refugees is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and 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 Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; ability to quickly familiarizing with new database.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; solid time management skills with ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Desirable: solid coordination skills with functional units and partners
• Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian affairs and refugee rights, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

Core Competencies

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Living Conditions

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.
You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator.
The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.