Mission and objectives

UNHCR was established in 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly and is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. The organization’s primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, asylum-seekers, stateless persons, and internally displaced persons, ensuring access to protection, assistance, and durable solutions.

Context

Jordan is not a State party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and has no national refugee legislation; refugee status determination is conducted by UNHCR under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Jordan, which stipulates that UNHCR is responsible for identifying solutions for recognized refugees. All foreigners fall under the Law on the Residence of Foreigners and are permitted to stay for an initial three months, after which overstaying may result in fines or deportation. While large-scale deportations have not occurred, asylum seekers and refugees live with persistent uncertainty, as registration with UNHCR authorizes their stay but does not grant permanent residency. As of September 2025, Jordan hosts approximately 488,000 refugees registered with UNHCR, with numbers fluctuating due to voluntary returns to Syria. Refugees are granted access to public education and health services, while UNHCR ensures protection through registration, legal documentation, counselling, community engagement, and coordination of the overall refugee response. UNHCR actively supports Syrian refugees who choose to voluntarily return to Syria by providing information, counselling, legal assistance, and transportation. Since December 2024, over 177,000 registered Syrian refugees have crossed back into Syria, including more than 9,500 who received free bus transportation in 2025. In September, UNHCR also launched a pilot Cash Assistance for Voluntary Returns initiative, providing JOD 70 per family member to eligible refugees to cover return-related costs, with the pilot closely monitored to inform future programming. In this context, the UN Volunteer will have a threefold role. First, the volunteer will actively raise awareness within refugee and host communities by informing and mobilizing individuals around available complementary pathways and other durable solutions. Second, the volunteer will play a key role in supporting community-based protection initiatives by contributing to ongoing outreach and engagement activities within the CBP team and strengthening linkages with community networks and community-based organizations. This will be achieved through multiple outreach channels, including helpdesks, structured multi-functional missions to camps and host communities, social media monitoring, community volunteer meetings, and the collection of oral testimonies. Third, the UN Volunteer will support new initiatives aimed at improving refugees’ access to labor market opportunities should they choose to return to their home country, including assistance with job search and application processes through platforms such as Bayt.com. Availability that his/her likeness appears on media, social media, photos, and videos as it will be impossible for UNHCR to prevent such appearances on the public or external occasion s/he will interpret. S/He will need to understand that her/his picture will possibly be seen on the internet. Additional information: UN Community Volunteers (Part-time) in Jordan are entitled to: • Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of JOD 229.01; • Annual and learning leaves; • Free Medical and life insurance; and • Free access to different learning platforms.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Repatriation Associate in the Durable Solutions Team, the UN Volunteer will assist in the following tasks: 1. Communication, Outreach and Coordination: • Participate in community outreach and engagement activities, supporting the dissemination of accurate and timely information on complementary pathways through refugee and host community networks. • Gather, document, and share feedback from refugee communities on challenges and barriers to accessing complementary pathways, helping the unit identify gaps and inform coordination with partners and stakeholders. • Organize and deliver webinars and other virtual information sessions on complementary pathways, digital livelihoods, and livelihoods and education opportunities, including emerging opportunities related to Syria where feasible. • Support the Community-Based Protection team in strengthening community connections and outreach strategies, particularly for hard-to-reach communities. • Contribute to targeted outreach for vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, older refugees, women at risk, and youth, in coordination with CBP colleagues. • Support Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) by documenting community feedback and rumors and sharing consolidated inputs with relevant units for follow-up. • Conduct outreach and training sessions for returnees on the use of Bayt.com, talent catalogues, LinkedIn, and similar platforms, including guidance on creating professional profiles, uploading CVs, and applying for job opportunities in third countries or in their home country. 2. Capacity Building, Learning and Research: • Participate in global trainings and capacity-building initiatives related to complementary pathways and other relevant thematic areas, contributing insights informed by lived experience of displacement. • Complete the Bayt.com Training of Trainers (ToT) programme to gain proficiency in the platform and effectively support refugees with profile creation and job applications. • Support the unit in collecting and systematizing information on available complementary pathways opportunities, including education, labor mobility, sponsorship, and family reunification, and contribute to analysis of trends and challenges. 3. Additional Tasks: • Provide support to individual case counselling, where appropriate and in line with integrity guidelines, with a focus on career guidance, application support, and job search assistance. • Contribute to the documentation of good practices, lessons learned, and refugee feedback. • Support other relevant units, including Durable Solutions, Community-Based Protection, Livelihoods, and Education, as required.

Competencies and values

• Professionalism • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Commitment to continuous learning • Planning and organizing • Communication • Flexibility • Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organizing • Self-management • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values. • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration of personal gains

Living conditions and remarks

Amman, the capital, is a peaceful city with over four million residents. People are friendly to visitors. Services in terms of banking, transportation, health and communications are easily available. Though Arabic is the official language, English is widely spoken among the majority of the population, especially in Amman. Road network is good both in terms of spread and quality of the roads. Public transportation in Amman is limited. Taxis are relatively cheap and easily available. There are a number of shopping malls, restaurants, gyms, and cinemas. A large variety of accommodation options can be found; however, it is worth noting that prices in Amman have generally increased in the past few years. There are no specific security threats. Amman is a very easy city in which to live; large, many amenities, very modern and serviced by an international airport with direct flights to most capital cities. According to the assessment of the UN Department of Safety & Security (UNDSS) Jordan is a family duty station (category A hardship). As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the insurance plan.