Cultural Emergency Response Support Officer
Organizational Context
UNESCO promotes peace and sustainable development through education, science, culture, and information. As the UN agency with a cultural mandate, it safeguards heritage and supports creative industries, especially in crisis contexts. The UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo leads efforts in the Arab region to protect cultural heritage, foster inclusive cultural policies, and integrate culture into humanitarian action. This role supports the "Artists in Transit" initiative, aiding displaced artists and promoting cultural rights and resilience.
Job Purpose
This UN Volunteer role supports the "Artists in Transit" initiative within UNESCO's Culture in Emergency programme in Cairo. The initiative provides safe spaces and professional opportunities for displaced artists and creatives from Sudan and Palestine, using art and culture to enhance psychosocial well-being, intercultural dialogue, and economic resilience. The volunteer will contribute to UNESCO's regional strategy and the UN's goal of integrating culture into humanitarian action and achieving SDGs, particularly SDG 16, SDG 4, and SDG 11, by supporting program activities, community engagement, and advocacy for cultural rights.
Responsibilities
The UN Volunteer will coordinate and support artistic residencies, workshops, and exhibitions for displaced artists under the "Artists in Transit" initiative. This includes liaising with community organizations and cultural institutions, and assisting in outreach to displaced artists. The role involves supporting the design and implementation of community-based education and TVET activities, linking cultural expression with practical skills, and collaborating with UNESCO education experts. Additionally, the volunteer will assist in preparing project proposals, resource mobilization, and partnership building for the Culture in Emergency programme. Responsibilities also include documenting success stories, producing communication materials, supporting advocacy efforts for cultural rights, and contributing to digital storytelling. The volunteer will also support monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, and coordinate with local NGOs and community-based organizations to align efforts and identify collaboration opportunities.
Work Experience
No prior experience is required, but a demonstrated interest and/or experience in culture, arts, community-based education, or cultural policy development is beneficial. Experience in culture project management, particularly in displacement or emergency settings, is desirable. Familiarity with UNESCO Conventions and the Arab region context is a plus. Previous volunteer experience or experience in another culture is highly regarded.
Skills
Strong research and analytical skills are needed to synthesize data and policy frameworks. The ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including artists, displaced communities, NGOs, and public institutions, is essential. Excellent communication skills in English are required for drafting reports, proposals, and briefs. Competencies include accountability, adaptability, building trust, client orientation, commitment to learning, communication, creativity, empowering others, ethics, integrity, judgment, knowledge sharing, planning, professionalism, respect for diversity, self-management, and teamwork. Expertise in emergency preparedness, crisis response, art, design, and culture is also relevant.