Mission and objectivesUNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We lead international action to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. Our vision is a world where every person forced to flee can build a better future. UNHCR was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1950, in the aftermath of the Second World War, to help the millions of people who had lost their homes. Today, UNHCR works in 137 countries. We provide life-saving assistanceโincluding shelter, food, water, and medical careโto people forced to flee conflict and persecution, many of whom have no one else to turn to. We defend their right to reach safety and help them find a place to call home so they can rebuild their lives. In the long term, we work with countries to improve and monitor refugee and asylum laws and policies, ensuring that human rights are upheld. In everything we do, UNHCR considers refugees and other forcibly displaced people as partners, placing those most affected at the center of planning and decision-making.
ContextJordan has long been a generous host to refugees. As of 31 August 2025, just under 500,000 refugees were registered with UNHCR. The Jordan Compact, launched in 2016, established the framework for collaboration between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the international communityโincluding development actorsโin responding to the Syrian refugee crisis. It led to the inclusion of refugees in education and health services, as well as opening avenues for self-reliance. Since 8 December 2024, UNHCR Jordan has also been working hand in hand with partners to support those who have chosen to voluntarily return to Syria. Partnerships with development actors and international financial institutions are a key enabler of solutions for refugees in Jordan. The Development Unit works along four main streams: 1. Strategic and technical partnerships with development partners; 2. Supporting the resilience of refugees and vulnerable host communities along the learning-to-earning cycle; 3. Following up on the implementation of the Global Compact for Refugees and engaging with civil society to promote inclusion; 4. Conducting research and analytics. The unit is headed by the Senior Development Officer, who will supervise this position. It leads engagement with development actors at both the strategic and operational levels, managing a multi-sectoral portfolio in close coordination with technical units across the operation.
Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of the Senior Development Officer (SDO), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: โข Support the team in strengthening partnerships with development actors, with the aim of fostering refugee inclusion in large-scale programs and promoting solutions-based approaches. โข Contribute to the unitโs activities on livelihoods, focusing on the direct implementation of earmarked projects to strengthen refugee resilience in Jordan and prepare Syrians planning to return. This may include supporting cross-border collaboration to ensure continuity and lay the groundwork for sustainable returns. โข Learn how to support the unitโs engagement with the private sector, both as an employer and as a contributor to solutions that enhance refugee resilience in Jordan and upon return. โข Engage regularly with field offices to provide support to implementation across the unitโs portfolio, with particular emphasis on activities targeted at building resilience. This will include day missions to Irbid, Zaatari, and Azraq to interact with teams and refugees as needed. โข Actively contribute to internal and external outputs produced by the unit, including gathering and compiling information. โข Assist the unit in its engagement with civil society to broaden the protection environment and expand access to learning and economic opportunities. This includes preparations for milestones related to the Global Refugee Compact (GRC) and building on the ongoing momentum following the launch of the Higher Education Alliance. With the unitโs broad spectrum of engagements, the UN Volunteer will have opportunities to contribute to and develop activities aligned with their interests and career development goals.
Competencies and valuesโข Accountability โข Adaptability and Flexibility โข Commitment and Motivation โข Commitment to Continuous Learning โข Communication โข Creativity โข Ethics and Values โข Integrity โข Knowledge Sharing โข Professionalism โข Respect for Diversity โข Working in Teams
Living conditions and remarksLocation: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is located in the Middle East. Bound by Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, Saudi Arabia to the east and south, Red Sea to the south and the Palestinian National Authority to the west. Weather: Jordanโs climate can be classified as semi-arid (Bsh) on the Koeppen-Geiger classification. It features a hot, dry climate characterized by long, hot, dry summers and short, cool winters. The climate is influenced by Jordan's location between the subtropical aridity of the Arabian desert areas and the subtropical humidity of the eastern Mediterranean area. January is the coldest month, with temperatures from 5ยฐC to 10ยฐC, and August is the hottest month at 20ยฐC to 35ยฐC. Daily temperatures can be quite hot, especially in the summer; on some days it can be 40ยฐC or more, especially when a hot, dry southerly wind blows. Such winds can sometimes be very strong and can cause sandstorms. About 70 percent of the average rainfall in the country falls between November and March; June through August are often rainless. Rainfall varies from season to season and from year to year. Precipitation is often concentrated in violent storms, causing erosion and local flooding, especially in the winter months. Safety and Security: Jordan is a relatively stable country. The potentials for internal or external armed conflict are considered very unlikely in the current political environment. Peaceful demonstrations, and sometimes road blockages, do occur in Jordan, motivated by domestic factors such as unemployment, deprivation of resources and development or for regional issues such as solidarity with the Palestinian cause or with the Syrian crises. Most of these events are driven by civil society unions and Islamic parties. Domestic tribal civil unrest sometimes turns violent, especially outside main cities, due to tribal disputes or socio-economic reasons. In all occasions law enforcement agencies usually manage to contain the situation rapidly. Road traffic accidents are the primary threat against UN personnel in Jordan. Poor road conditions and bad driving behaviours are the main reasons for the high rate of traffic accidents. Amman is a category A duty station with security level 1. Transportation and housing: Taxis as well as ride-hailing services (Uber and Careem) are abundant and affordable in Amman. Medical facilities are generally very good, particularly in Amman where there are several modern, well-equipped public and private hospitals. Public minibuses are the most common form of public transport. They normally only leave when full, so waiting times of an hour or more are inevitable, especially in rural areas. The larger air-con buses offer a speedy and reliable service, departing according to a fixed schedule. Housing is readily available with rents for one- to two-bedroom apartments ranging between 500 and 800 JD (1 JD = 0.708 USD) depending on the location. Health Services: Medical facilities are generally very good, particularly in Amman where there are several modern, well-equipped public and private hospitals. Almost all doctors (and most pharmacists) speak English; many have studied abroad. Language: The official language of Jordan is Arabic, but English is widely spoken โ especially in the cities. Many Jordanians have travelled or have been educated abroad so French, German, Italian and Spanish are also spoken, but to a lesser extent. Learn more about Jordan from the Ministry of Tourismโs website: https://www.mota.gov.jo/Default/En