The United Nations says one of its freelance consultants, Nermine Khalil, was fatally shot in the head while driving through Mohandiseen neighbourhood in Cairo.

An Egyptian security official told AP the woman was not targeted, but died in a random shooting Sunday while driving her Jeep on one of Cairo's busiest streets.

He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to reporters.

The victim worked at Al-Borg medical lab as an HR manager.

Director of the UN Information Center in Egypt, Khawla Mattar, says the victim was a consultant with the women's fund at the United Nations in Cairo.