Programme Coordination and Development Assistant (UNODC)

by | Nov 9, 2025 | Jobs

Are you interested in supporting regional efforts to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling in the MENA region? This Programme Coordination and Development Assistant assignment with UNODC in Cairo, Egypt offers an opportunity to contribute to peace, justice, and strong institutions under SDG 16.

General Information

  • Assignment Title: Programme Coordination and Development Assistant

  • Assignment Country: Egypt

  • Duty Station: Cairo

  • Host Entity: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

  • Volunteer Category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

  • Type: Onsite

  • Expected Start Date: 12/01/2025

  • Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

  • Number of Assignments: 1

Sustainable Development Goal:

  • SDG 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions

About UNODC and ROMENA

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), established in 1997, is the global leader in the fight against drugs, crime, corruption, and terrorism. UNODC works with Member States to:

  • Promote justice and the rule of law

  • Strengthen human rights

  • Build resilient societies

UNODC is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, and operates in more than 80 countries through a network of 115 field offices and liaison offices in New York and Brussels, with approximately 2,400 personnel globally.

UNODC ROMENA

The UNODC Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA) covers 18 countries:

Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

  • Regional Office location: Cairo, Egypt

  • Programme Offices: Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen

  • Total staff in Cairo Regional Office: 122

ROMENA operates under the Regional Framework for the Arab States (2023–2028), which aims to:

  • Contribute to peace and security, human rights, and development

  • Make the region safer from drugs, crime, corruption, and terrorism

  • Reduce violence and inequalities within society

  • Accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda and relevant SDGs

Context: Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants in the MENA Region

Trafficking in persons (TIP) and smuggling of migrants (SOM) are among the most pervasive forms of organized crime in the Arab States and involve serious human rights violations.

These crimes:

  • Disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, especially women and children

  • Are driven by systemic inequalities, conflict, and lack of access to justice and protection mechanisms

Irregular migrants are particularly at risk:

  • Around 60% of detected trafficking victims in the Middle East are irregular migrants

  • Around 25% of detected trafficking victims in North Africa are irregular migrants

The Arab States serve as origin, transit, and destination countries for irregular migration, making them especially prone to TIP and SOM.

Despite existing international and regional frameworks, many Arab countries still face challenges due to:

  • Limited capacity and financial resources

  • Weak regional coordination and cooperation

  • Lack of accurate and updated data

  • Insufficient evidence-based research on migration patterns and routes

These gaps hinder effective policy planning and decision-making.

The UN Volunteer will support the TIP and SOM team at UNODC ROMENA in Cairo in:

  • Programme development

  • Coordination and reporting

  • General administrative and communication support across the MENA region

Key Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Programme Coordinator (Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling), the UN Volunteer will:

Programme Coordination and Implementation

  • Support the planning, coordination, and delivery of programme activities, including:

    • Workshops

    • Training courses

    • Study tours

    • Official meetings

    • Other TIP and SOM-related events

  • Support the preparation and dissemination of evaluation/feedback reports after activities.

  • Assist in compiling and consolidating responses from participants and stakeholders.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

  • Support monitoring and evaluation of projects by:

    • Assisting in tracking the achievement of project indicators

    • Documenting good practices and lessons learned from TIP and SOM projects

Communication and Visibility

  • Support communication and visibility activities for the TIP and SOM portfolio, in coordination with:

    • Relevant Programme Coordinators

    • Communication Officer

  • Contribute to the design, drafting, and dissemination of communication materials, such as:

    • Web stories

    • Brochures

    • Project sheets

    • Posts and content for ROMENA social media channels

Missions and Technical Meetings

  • Support the preparation, organization, and reporting on:

    • Expert missions

    • Project staff missions

    • Technical meetings

Translation and Documentation

  • Assist with the translation of relevant documents, as needed.

  • Provide general administrative assistance, including:

    • Drafting minutes of meetings (with donors, partners, programme coordinators, heads of offices, etc.)

    • Organizing files and documents

    • Supporting logistical arrangements for programme activities

    • Supporting in drafting background notes, talking points, speeches, etc.

Other Duties

  • Perform other related duties as requested by the supervisor, as appropriate.

Eligibility Criteria

Age and Nationality

  • Age: 18–80

  • Nationality:

    • Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment (i.e. non-Egyptian).

Required Experience

  • Minimum Professional Experience: 3 years (relevant experience)

Required Education

  • Bachelor’s degree in one of the following (or a related field):

    • Law

    • Criminal justice

    • Public administration

    • International development

    • Political science

    • Social sciences

Languages

  • English: Fluent (Required)

  • Arabic: Working knowledge (Desirable)

Competencies and Values

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following core competencies and values:

  • Accountability

  • Communication

  • Integrity

  • Planning and Organizing

  • Professionalism

Skills and Experience

Preferred skills and experience include:

  • Experience in one or more of the following areas:

    • Criminal justice

    • Law enforcement

    • Technical cooperation

    • Human rights

    • Law

    • Academic research

    • International development or related fields

  • Relevant professional experience in research and project management is desirable.

  • Strong interpersonal, networking, and communication skills.

  • Demonstrated teamwork and willingness to contribute in a multicultural environment.

  • Flexibility and openness to new experiences.

  • Experience working with the United Nations or similar international organizations is desirable.

  • Solid computer skills, including:

    • Word

    • Excel

    • PowerPoint

    • Social media tools

    • Other relevant software

Areas of Expertise

  • Administration

  • Development programmes

Driving License

  • Not required

Understanding Volunteerism

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken:

  • Of free will

  • For the general public good

  • Where monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor

This UN Volunteer role combines professional responsibilities with the spirit of international volunteer service.

Living Conditions in Cairo, Egypt

Cairo is a family duty station offering:

  • A wide range of health, education, and leisure services

  • Good overall living conditions

  • Rich political and cultural life

  • High levels of tourism

Residents have access to:

  • Shopping centers and local markets

  • Banks and financial services

  • Hospitals and clinics

  • Schools and universities

  • Cultural venues, events, and historical sites

Geographical context:

  • Located in Northeast Africa

  • At the crossroads of Europe and Asia

  • Coasts on the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea

  • Connection to Sub-Saharan Africa through the Nile Valley

UN International Specialist Volunteer Benefits

UN International Specialist Volunteers receive the following package:

  • Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA):

    • Around USD 2,437.4 per month

  • Entry Lump-Sum:

    • USD 4,000 (one-time payment)

  • Exit Lump-Sum:

    • Paid upon successful completion of the contract

  • Medical and Life Insurance:

    • Cigna – 100% covered for the volunteer

    • Dependents’ policy also available

  • Learning and Development:

    • Access to the UNV E-Campus

    • Access to LinkedIn Learning and other training resources.

 

Job Application Link