Cultural Emergency Response Support Officer

Update

The Arab region holds some of the world’s richest and most diverse cultural heritage, including ancient monuments, historic cities, traditional practices, and contemporary expressions of creativity. However, this cultural wealth is increasingly under threat due to armed conflict, forced displacement, climate change, natural disasters, urban expansion, and illicit trafficking of cultural property.
In this context, the UNESCO Cairo Office plays a vital role in supporting Member States and communities in crisis preparedness, cultural heritage protection, and resilience building through the implementation of key international frameworks such as:
• The 1954 Hague Convention and its Protocols;
• The 1972 World Heritage Convention;
• The 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage;
• The 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Ex-pressions;
• The 1980 Recommendation on the Status of the Artist;
• The 2022 MONDIACULT Declaration on Cultural Policy and Sustainable Develop-ment;
• The 2024 Culture and Arts Education Framework.

To address current emergencies affecting displaced communities, particularly from Sudan and Palestine, UNESCO Cairo has launched the “Artists in Transit” initiative within the framework of Culture in Emergency programme. This community-based programme provides safe spaces and professional opportunities for displaced artists and creatives living in Cairo. It uses art and culture to support psychosocial well-being, intercultural dialogue, and economic resilience.

The appointment of a UN Volunteer to support this initiative reflects the value of volunteerism in promoting cultural rights, community resilience, and inclusive recovery. This role contributes directly to UNESCO’s regional strategy and the broader UN goal of integrating culture into humanitarian action and the SDGs—particularly SDG 16 as well as SDG 4 and SDG 11.

Under the direct supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Egypt and Sudan / Liaison Office with the League of Arab States, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

A. “Artists in Transit” Initiative
• Coordinate and support artistic residencies, workshops, performances, and exhibitions led by displaced artists.
• Liaise with community organizations, facilitators, and cultural institutions to ensure smooth delivery of programme activities.
• Assist in outreach and engagement of displaced Sudanese and Palestinian artists and creatives to co-develop cultural initiatives.

B. Community-Based Education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET ) Integration
• Support the design and implementation of informal education and training activities linking cultural expression with practical vocational skills.
• Collaborate with the UNESCO education sector and TVET experts to develop training modules in crafts, design, media production, and digital storytelling.
• Promote skills recognition and explore certification pathways in cooperation with Egyptian training and educational institutions.

C. Culture in Emergency Programme
• Support the preparation of concept notes and project proposals under the Culture in Emergency programme.
• Assist in resource mobilisation and partnership building.

D. Communication, Visibility, and Advocacy
• Document success stories, collect testimonies, and produce communication materials to raise the visibility of the initiative.
• Support advocacy efforts for the cultural rights of displaced persons through events, campaigns, and partnerships with media outlets.
• Contribute to digital storytelling and social media outreach for the project.

E. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
• Support the development of tools for tracking progress, participation, and the qualitative impact of cultural and TVET activities.
• Prepare inputs for internal and donor reports, including success stories and lessons learned.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation of activities and partnerships.

F. Partnerships and Volunteer Engagement
• Coordinate with local NGOs, cultural institutions, and community-based organizations to align efforts and avoid duplication.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration and referrals between culture, education, and protection sectors.
• Mobilize local youth and volunteers to contribute to programme activities and outreach.

During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check-ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance feedback.