Description
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program contributes to development and peace via volunteerism worldwide.
UNV works with partners to integrate qualified, highly motivated and well supported volunteers into development programming and promote the value and global recognition of volunteering.
The program is administered by the United Nations Development Programme /UNDP/
The UN Volunteers are mobilizing volunteers to serve in United Nations agencies, both in peacekeeping operations and development programs. Its aim is to push the participants to participate in their own development.
Eligibility
The applicants must to be:
– 18 to 80 years old;
– fluent in Spanish, English or French.
– have no less than two years of applicable work involvement in an professional background;
Benefits
The selected candidates will receive:
– Travel expenses;
– Annual working leave;
– Life, permanent, health and disability insurances;
– living allowance which will cover basic expenses;
– Resettlement allowance;
– Settling-in-grant, which will be paid at the start of the assignment.
VOLUNTEER ABROAD WITH THE UN
The first step to volunteer abroad with the UN is to determine whether you meet the minimum requirements (see below). If this is the case, register your profile in our Unified Volunteering Platform. Then, you may apply for assignments that are in high demand or even in highly specialized areas.
WHY VOLUNTEER WITH UN
International UN Volunteers promote peace and development in communities around the globe, while upholding the ideals and aspirations of the United Nations.
They come from 160 countries, representing many cultures and backgrounds, and bring a wide variety of perspectives and approaches.
Your international UN Volunteer assignment will enable you to make a lasting impact. It can create a ripple effect that extends far beyond the immediate results of your efforts.
As an international UN Volunteer, you will learn about different cultures and languages, expand your networks and gain unmatched professional and life experiences.
As an international UN Volunteer, you will learn about different cultures and languages, expand your networks and gain unmatched professional and life experiences.
Volunteering abroad is an unbeatable opportunity to serve as a global citizen. International UN Volunteers promote peace and development in communities around the globe, while upholding the ideals and aspirations of the United Nations.
International UN Volunteers come from 160 countries, representing diverse cultures and countries. They bring a wide variety of perspectives and approaches, which lend a dynamism to the volunteering assignment.
Your international UN Volunteer assignment will enable you to make a lasting impact. It can create a ripple effect that extends far beyond the immediate results of your efforts – both for the people you serve and yourself.
WHY VOLUNTEER ABROAD?
As an international UN Volunteer, you will learn about different cultures and languages, expand your networks and gain unmatched professional and life experiences. Working in another country gives you the opportunity to step outside your comfort zone, to learn new approaches to tasks and problems and to operate in different environments.
You will enter the singular domain of global citizenship. Facing challenges together with community members and fellow United Nations workers often creates lasting bonds.
After volunteering abroad, you can be sure that your curriculum vitae will stand out. Employers appreciate the ability to adapt, to think outside the box and to embrace diversity. The enriching professional and life experiences you have gained through volunteering will not go unnoticed.
Volunteering abroad is an unparalleled opportunity to do something meaningful and to support peace and development initiatives in countries that need them most. By giving back, you will gain an incredible sense of fulfilment, and will reap the dividends for the rest of your life.
International UN Volunteers support local volunteer initiatives, strengthen community capacities, foster ownership and sustainability of development activities and contribute toward the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
You will engage actively with United Nations development and peacekeeping partners and within communities, responding to development priorities and needs in countries facing poverty and socio-economic challenges, humanitarian crises, conflict and post-conflict situations or experiencing fragile peace. Through your expertise, you will enable the effective delivery of programmes and mandates of our partner United Nations entities.
VOLUNTEER ABROAD: REQUIREMENTS
The minimum age to serve as an international UN Volunteer is 18 years old, however, there are specific requirements for various categories: UN Youth Volunteers, including University Volunteers, must be aged 18-26, UN Volunteer specialists must be at least 27 years old, and UN Expert Volunteers must be 35 years of age and above.
There may also be requirements of relevant professional and academic experience, as well as language proficiency. Refer to the Description of Assignment for the UN Volunteer assignment for which you are applying for details.
All UN Volunteers must display a commitment to the values and principles of volunteerism and the mandated activities of the United Nations and the UN Charter, and an ability to work in a multicultural environment and with local partners and communities.
They should be prepared to adjust to difficult living conditions in sometimes remote locations.
UN Volunteers should be professional, with strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
We mobilize international UN Volunteers at the request of United Nations partner agencies to support their peace and development programmes. International UN Volunteers are entrusted with a wide variety of roles and responsibilities and their duty stations vary from central to remote.
Volunteer assignments require a wide range of professional skills and competencies. Every international UN Volunteer assignment is unique, and has its own specific requirements.
First check whether you meet the minimum requirements below, and if that is the case, then you can register your profile in our Global Talent Pool.
INDIVIDUAL DESCRIPTIONS OF ASSIGNMENT
The specific requirements in terms of education, age, professional qualifications and personal competencies are set out in individual descriptions of each assignment.
In keeping with the principles of capacity development, sustainability and results-based management, international UN Volunteer assignments are designed as part of a coherent national United Nations programme framework and UNV Strategic Framework aimed at achieving national humanitarian, peace and development results. The description of each assignment will include an explanation of the linkage between the assignment and the peace and development results.
INTERVIEW PROCESS
All candidates undergo a competitive interview process. In the interview process, the UNV Field Unit pays particular attention to the candidate’s track record, motivation and attitude towards volunteerism, as well as other personal qualities, such as team spirit and leadership, that are likely to make them successful in their assignments as UN Volunteers. The Host Entity representative will assess the technical skills of the candidate.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply. UNV Field Units will ensure that advertisements and application forms are accessible to women and minority candidates (e.g. not only through the internet) and that oversight measures support the inclusion of applicants from marginalized groups.
– Age limits and ranges: To ensure the required level of professional and personal competency, the minimum age of an international UN Volunteer has been set at 18 years of age, with the understanding that candidates must demonstrate the required education level, relevant professional experience and requisite maturity, character and strengths needed for UN Volunteer assignments. The age range for UN Youth Volunteers and UN University Volunteers is 18-26 years, for UN Volunteer specialists it is 27-80 years of age, while for UN Expert Volunteers the age range is 35-80 years.
– Education requirements: A higher technical diploma, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is required for most assignments (credentials will be requested).
– Professional experience requirements: Work experience requirements differ depending on the volunteer category and assignment. UN Youth Volunteers and University Volunteers are required to have 0-3 years of experience, UN Volunteer specialists 3-15 years and UN Expert Volunteers 15 years of experience and above. Prior volunteering and/or working experience in a developing country is an asset. Kindly refer to the specific Description of Assignment for details.
– Language requirements: Good working knowledge of at least one of UNV’s three working languages: English, French or Spanish.
– Personal competencies: UN Volunteers must demonstrate a strong commitment to the values and principles of volunteering and respect for diversity. They should bring strong interpersonal and organizational skills. UN Volunteers should have the ability and willingness to work in a multicultural environment and to draw upon synergies between proposed solutions and local expertise. They must also be able to adjust to changing, and at times difficult, living and working conditions.
UNIFIED CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
International UN Volunteer assignments may generally run from three to 12 months, with the possibility of extending contracts up to a maximum period of four years. UN Youth Volunteers may serve from six months to two years, and UN University Volunteers from three to six months. See more below.
International UN Volunteers are entitled to certain allowances to support their assignment. Allowances are in no way to be understood as a compensation, reward or salary in exchange for the volunteer work. The purpose of allowances is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living during their assignments.
Kindly refer to the new Unified Conditions of Service in English, French, and Spanish
Serving UN Volunteers may refer to the Changes to the UN Volunteer Conditions of Service and update on the Unified Volunteering Platform published in advance of the launch of the same on 1 October 2021.
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. We provide qualified, highly motivated UN Volunteers to support the work of the United Nations system, to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their actions and conduct. The Conditions of Service (COS) form the basis of the policies and rules that regulate the UN Volunteer assignment.
UNV released the Unified Conditions of Service on 1 October 2021. These unify and supersede prior versions of the national and international UN Volunteer Conditions of Service. The provisions apply to all individuals recruited as UN Volunteers.
The infographics highlight the key provisions of the Unified Conditions of Service by UN Volunteer category. Infographics are available HERE
PROFILES IN HIGH DEMAND INCLUDE:
– Development and project management (community development, environment, programme and project development, project management, monitoring and evaluation);
– Legal affairs (human rights, protection, resettlement, reintegration, repatriation, refugee status determination, child protection);
– Political science (civil affairs, political affairs);
– Public information (reporting and external relations);
– Engineering (civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering); and
– Health (general medicine, public health).
PRIORITY AREAS FOR RAPID DEPLOYMENT AND PROFILES IN DEMAND
Profiles in high demand include technical specialists (IT, engineering, logistics, transport), legal and medical professionals, political scientists, public information officers, administration and finance experts and professionals with experience in development, management, humanitarian affairs and peacekeeping.
RAPID DEPLOYMENT OF UN VOLUNTEERS
When large-scale emergencies like the Ebola outbreak, Syrian Refugee Crisis and Philippines cyclone (Haiyan) occur, a coordinated rapid response is critical in ensuring that the UN system can cope with the demands, support the host government and reorient its programmes.
As an important resource of specialized human capacity with unique characteristics, UNV is a key partner in delivering humanitarian and early recovery assistance, through the establishment of stand-by capacities for humanitarian response through its UN Volunteers. UNV can assist UN agency partners during the initial phase of the emergency as well as during the recovery phase.
UNV is re-building its rapid response capacity in the following 5 areas: Protection, Information Management, Logistics, Water and Sanitation and Monitoring and Evaluation.
Would you like to become a UN Volunteer for the rapid deployment assignments and support the UN efforts during humanitarian crisis? If you fulfill the minimum requirements in one of the following areas, please register your profile. Please note that UN Volunteers are entitled to receive a Volunteer Living Allowance to cover their basic needs in the respective duty station as well as other entitlements. For more information, please consult the Conditions of Service.
PROTECTION (Refugee Protection, Child Protection, Human Rights Protection)
Minimum requirements: University Degree in Law, International Law, Human Rights, International Relations, Social Sciences or related fields. Two to three 3 years of experience with refugees, and/or other people of concern in a protection capacity required (e.g. Children affected by armed conflict).
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Minimum requirements: University Degree in Information Systems, GIS, Social Sciences, Statistics, Economics or related field. Two to three years of experience in Information Management (preferably with governmental organizations, NGOs, international organizations) in development or humanitarian assistance. Good reporting skills, preferably with experience in website and /or database maintenance, production of information products (infographics, maps, etc.), knowledge of mapping applications (e.g. ArcGIS, etc.).
LOGISTICS
Minimum requirements: University Degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Logistics, Mathematics or related field. Two to three years of relevant professional experience in the field of logistics. (e.g. supply chain, surface transport, warehousing, port operations, air transport, etc.).
WASH (Water and Sanitation and Hygiene)
Minimum requirements: University Degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Sanitation Engineering, Geology, Hydrology, Environmental Public Health or related field. Two to three years of relevant professional experience in water supply, water purification systems, pump installations and associated works. Preferably with knowledge of cross sectoral programming, community based interventions, health systems.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
Minimum requirements: University Degree in Economics, Statistics, Project Planning and Management, Development Studies, Social Science, or related field. Three years of relevant professional experience and proven track record in Project Monitoring and Evaluation in a development or humanitarian context. Knowledge of Results Based Management, monitoring and evaluation methods and tools and statistical software.
AREAS PERMANENTLY IN HIGH DEMAND
Beyond the priority areas for rapid deployment outlined above, international UN Volunteers hail from many different professions and levels of experience. The areas of expertise that are permanently in highest demand are found in the table below.
It is worth noting that in most cases fluency in English is required for international UN Volunteers. Additionally, depending on the country of assignment, international UN Volunteers may be required to speak other languages, such as Arabic, French, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and other languages.
The Global Talent Pool through the unified volunteer platform is available HERE
Apply HERE
More information HERE
