Background
The Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established in 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. The agency is mandated to provide protection, assistance, and seek durable solutions for refugees and stateless persons. UNHCR has also been involved under certain circumstances in enhancing protection and providing humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons.
Egypt is a signatory State to the 1951 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 in Egypt has Offices in Greater Cairo (6th October City and Zamalek district) as well as a Field Office in Alexandria.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Associate Protection Officer and the overall supervision of the Senior Protection Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
Assist in providing counselling to refugees and asylum seekers in need of UNHCR’s intervention and support in the field and ensure proper feedback is provided to persons of concern;Keep frequent internal contacts with partners and staff members in the same duty station to exchange information and with the external contacts generally with officials of national and international institutions, representatives of the refugee community, local population and/or Implementing Partners (IPs) on routine subject matters under the direction of the supervisor;Assist with field missions in the areas of responsibilities where refugees and other persons of concerns are concentrated and other relevant places;Assist in exploring opportunities for mainstreaming persons of concern (POC) into available national services and contribute to developing communication strategies persons to promote these services;Participate in monitoring the delivery of assistance particularly for persons with specific protection needs and provide specific attention and services;Assist in providing regular analytical and statistical reports of activities carried out;Compile and enter statistical data into the database on community services activities;Draft and type routine correspondence relating to individual cases;Support community outreach meetings, participatory assessments and other mechanisms for consultations with persons of concern;In coordination with the supervisor, assist in monitoring visits to Community Based Organizations and partners to oversee programme implementation and provide inputs for further planning;Faciliate conducting regular focus group discussions and community meetings in the field to assess the needs of vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers and identify assistance as required;Contribute in mainstreaming age, gender and diversity in all of UNHCR Egypt’s activities;Assist in providing regular analytical and statistical reports of activities carried out;Compile and enter statistical data into the database on community services activities;Draft and type routine correspondence relating to individual cases;Perform other duties as required by the supervisor.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
- 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;
- Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
- 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.
Competencies
- Ability to work individually and as part of a team
- Initiative, sound judgment and dedication to the United Nations principles.
- Good inter-personal and communication skills especially with people from different cultural backgrounds
Required Skills and Experience
- A university degree in social sciences, preferably in psychology, community development, sociology, Law, Political Science
- At least one year of professional experience. Previous job experience related to refugees and asylum-seekers or in the human rights field is an added asset.
- Good command of Arabic and English (written, read, and spoken).
- Basic computer skills with adequate familiarity with word processing, spread sheet databases etc
- At least 22 years of age.
- Nationality: Egyptian.
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.
United Nations Volunteers reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this opening for other openings with United Nations Volunteers with similar assignment description, experience and educational requirements.
Languages – Essential: Arabic, English
Languages – Desirable:
More Information
- Job City Cairo
