Description

Ref: HCR/EGY/2026/002

Location

• Egypt (New Valley)

Sector

• Protection (general)

Issuing agency

• UNHCR

Project background

UNHCR Egypt supports over 1 million registered refugees from more than 35 countries. Due to the wide linguistic diversity, UNHCR lacks sufficient internal capacity to provide comprehensive interpretation services across all required languages.

This call seeks a qualified partner to ensure equitable, timely, and high-quality interpretation and translation services across UNHCR Egypt operations. The aim is to strengthen communication between refugees and service providers, ensuring inclusive, accountable, and protection-sensitive service delivery.

The services will support core protection processes including registration, Refugee Status Determination (RSD), resettlement (RST), community services, legal procedures, and protection case management. The intervention is expected to reduce language barriers, improve access to rights and entitlements, and enhance the quality and efficiency of humanitarian response.

The selected partner will provide professional interpretation and translation services through both in-person and remote modalities, ensuring confidentiality, neutrality, cultural sensitivity, and adherence to UNHCR protection standards. Coverage should include the most commonly used languages among the refugee population in Egypt.

Key activities include daily provision of qualified interpreters and translators for documentation related to registration, RSD, RST, and community services; interpretation during interviews, counselling sessions, and protection-related procedures; support to information sessions, trainings, and briefings; and telephone interpretation when required. Additional interpretation tasks may be requested by supervisors as needed.

Expected results

• Refugees and asylum seekers have timely and language-appropriate access to essential services and information
• Communication between service providers and refugees is accurate, confidential, and effective, improving protection outcomes
• Increased participation of refugees in decision-making processes and feedback mechanisms regardless of language barriers
• Improved accountability and transparency through accessible communication channels
• More efficient and consistent protection operations supported by reliable interpretation systems
• Interpretation services delivered in line with confidentiality, neutrality, and protection standards

Eligibility and expertise

Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong sector expertise in interpretation and translation services in humanitarian and protection contexts, with proven understanding of protection principles and Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) approaches. Capacity to ensure confidentiality, data protection, and information security is required, along with demonstrated adherence to PSEA principles and relevant safeguarding frameworks.

Project management requirements

Applicants should demonstrate robust management systems, financial accountability, and operational capacity to deliver services effectively. This includes clear internal controls, segregation of duties, risk management systems, and adequate oversight of procurement and asset-related processes where applicable.

Local presence and experience

Experience operating in Egypt, particularly in protection-related service delivery contexts, will be considered important. Applicants should demonstrate familiarity with local conditions, coordination mechanisms, and engagement with affected communities, including feedback and complaint systems.

Cost effectiveness

Proposals should demonstrate value for money, efficient allocation of resources, and clear financial management systems ensuring that funds are directed primarily toward service delivery outcomes.

Additional considerations

Partners must comply with UNHCR safeguarding requirements, including protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), and demonstrate alignment with ethical standards, confidentiality protocols, and “do no harm” principles. Environmental considerations and data protection requirements should also be integrated where relevant.

Indicative budget

Not specified

Attachments

Applicants should refer to the following documents for full submission requirements:

• Checklist for Submission Completion (Annex C)
• Data Protection and Information Security Self-Assessment
• ICA-ICQ Template (Annex B)
• Procurement Capacity Assessment (Annex A)
• Concept Note Template

Applications must be submitted via the UN Partner Portal.