General
Description of assignment title: Associate Officer
Assignment country: Egypt
Expected start date: 10/01/2025
Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
Volunteer category: International UN Youth Volunteer
Host entity: UNRCO
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Cairo
Details
Mission and objectives
Representing the UN Secretary-General in Egypt, the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) and the Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) facilitate the work of the UN Country Team (UNCT), support efforts towards a strategic positioning of the UN Development System in the national development context and manage the dialogue process with the Government of Egypt, civil society and private sector. The UNRC also holds the leadership role over the strategic initiatives and joint activities of the UNCT, as well as oversight of the various results groups, joint programmes, and other inter-agency initiatives.
For the UNRC and the UNCT to successfully fulfil their expanding mandates in Egypt, the UNRC needs the necessary human and technical resources at her/his disposal to effectively manage and lead the coherent implementation of the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for the years 2023 to 2027, and the integrated implementation of the SDGs in furtherance of national development priorities as outlined in the national Sustainable Development Strategy (Egypt’s Visio 2030). To this effect, the UNRCO supports the work of the UNRC by providing strategic integrated technical and advisory support. This includes serving as a one-stop-shop for advisory services anchored in the UNSDCF. This dedicated support both ensures coherence across the various management groups, and enables equal opportunities for all UNCT members, including Non-Resident Agencies (NRAs), to take the strategic leadership in the implementation and oversight of the UNSDCF. The UNRCO will also be convening SDG initiatives that aim at complementing the implementation of the UNSDCF and accelerate the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in cross-cutting priority themes.
Context
Egypt is a lower middle-income country, with a population of 105 million people. It is impacted heavily by the wars in Ukraine, Sudan and Gaza, also in terms of rising prices and a strain on public finances. The inflation for April 2023 was 31.8%, driven by rising food prices (40.5%) and devaluations of the Egyptian Pound. Against the backdrop of the socio-economic challenges in the country, a National Dialogue was launched in May 2023, providing space to various stakeholders, including different societal parties and NGOs, to contribute to discussions on wide-ranging issues organized into three tracks – Political, Social and Economic.
Regionally, Egypt plays a critical role in facilitating aid and supporting the mediation efforts related to the current war in Gaza. Egypt is also involved in discussions with Ethiopia and Sudan on an agreement on the operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Recent developments in neighboring countries have also impacted Egypt, including the outbreak of the conflict in Sudan, which has led to an influx of over 500,000 refugees and asylum-seekers into Egypt, further increasing the strain on its resources.
The UN Resident Coordinator’s responsibilities include ensuring the coordination of the UN’s development activities, creating a platform of coordinated delivery, promoting the enhancement of national capacities and ensuring effective advocacy of UN values, standards, principles and activities on behalf of the UN with the highest level of Government.
This UNV assignment is part of the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office. As the designated representative of the UN Secretary-General in Egypt, the UN Resident Coordinator guides the UN’s engagement in development activities in the country.
The UNV will closely work with the Strategic Adviser, who is part of the Peace and Development Advisers cadre. S/he will support and assist to identify opportunities to build UNCT and national capacities for social cohesion and prevention, through programs, analysis and policy engagement in areas of prevention, inclusion of migrants and refugees, human rights, governance, transparency, rule of law, humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) nexus, Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) among others.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of Strategic Adviser, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
- Assists in conducting research and analysis, including through social media monitoring, pertaining to issues related to the political and socio-economic situation;
- Supports the coordination of joint projects on issues related to migrants and refugees, human rights, governance, among others;
- Supports in the preparation of presentations, briefs, and reports, incl. for the UNCT;
- Support the mapping and identification of key stakeholders;
- Assists in the development of talking-points, speeches;
- Carries out other functions as outlined by the supervisor.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 18 – 80
Required experience
1 month
Donor priorities
.
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Additional eligibility criteria
This assignment is funded by the Government of France, and therefore specific criteria apply:
- Applicants must be French nationals.
- Applicants must be between 21 and 27 years of age at the time of application.
- Applicants must hold a Master II certificate.
- Individuals who have previously served on a UN Youth Volunteer assignment funded by the Government of France are not eligible.
APPLICATION
- Candidates may apply to a maximum of three assignments per advertisement. Please indicate the order of preference in the ‘Additional remarks’ section, including country and title of assignment.
- Application deadline: 21 April 2025
SELECTION
- Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment. Interviews will be conducted by UN Host Entities in May 2025.
INFORMATION DAY IN PARIS
Prior to deployment in October 2025, selected candidates must attend the Information Day in Paris, organized by MEAE.
+++ UN Volunteer entitlement calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator +++
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
6 months
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Arabic, Level: Fluent, Desirable
Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in International Relations / Peace & Conflict Studies / Political Science / Journalism or other related social science related field
Competencies and values
- Adaptability and Flexibility erIxcaj BIpnb
- Client Orientation
- Commitment and Motivation
- Communication
- Creativity
- Planning and Organizing
- Professionalism
- Technological Awareness
- Working in Teams
Skills and experience
- At least 6 months of professional or volunteer work experience working on issues related to international relations or international development. Experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset.
- Excellent oral and written skills (English); 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;
- Savvy with the use of social media platforms;
- 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;
- Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight dead-lines;
Legal advisory services
Area(s) of expertise
Communication, Development programmes, Crisis and emergency response
Driving license
Other information
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. Note: The UNV will be responsible for finding their own accommodation.
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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More Information
- Job City Egypt
