The United Nations Volunteers programme is a UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. Volunteer placements offer an opportunity to create a positive impact and be a significant force for achieving peace and development.

There are four main categories of the UN Volunteers, each has a different set of requirements and work conditions:

UN International Volunteers

As an international UN Volunteer, you will support local volunteer initiatives, strengthen community capacities, enhance sustainability of development activities and contribute toward the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Volunteers normally work with UN development and peacekeeping partners and within communities, responding to priorities and needs in countries facing development challenges.

Requirements

• Aged 25+
• Completed university degree
• At least 2 years of relevant work experience
• Good working language of English, Spanish or French

Terms & Conditions

• Assignments run for 6-12 months (max 4 years)
• Entitled to certain allowances to sustain a secure standard of living in duty stations
• Recruited internationally

How to apply

Candidates who meet the requirements are invited to register your profile in the Global Talent Pool. Profiles are then reviewed and matched with assignments offered by UN partner agencies.

UN National Volunteers

National UN Volunteers accelerate their nation’s development and promote peace. They work towards strengthening capacities of local communities so they can participate effectively in development activities and gain access to government services, fostering social inclusion and empowerment of marginalised communities and persons, encouraging national and local volunteer initiatives, and promoting sustainability and local ownership of development and peacebuilding activities.

Requirements

The specific requirements in terms of education, age, professional qualifications and personal competencies are set out in individual descriptions of each assignment. The minimum set of requirements are as follows:

• Be a national of the programme country, or be a legal resident in the country or territory with the status of refugee or with the status of statelessness.
• Aged 22+
• A higher technical diploma, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is normally required
• At least 2 years of relevant work experience
• Fluent in the UN working and local language

Terms & Conditions

• The minimum service period is 2 weeks and the maximum is 4 years
• Entitled to certain allowances
• Recruited nationally

How to apply

Candidates who meet the requirements are invited to register your profile in the Global Talent Pool. Profiles are then reviewed and matched with assignments offered by UN partner agencies. Specific assignments are also advertised on this website.

UN Youth Volunteers

UN Youth Volunteers help the United Nations to fulfil its mission on the frontlines of political, developmental and humanitarian field operations. As a UN Youth Volunteer, you may work in human rights, climate change, health care, disaster management, peacebuilding, youth engagement or other areas. You may work directly in a UN agency or be assigned to one of its partner organizations, a university or the government.

Minimum Requirements

• Aged 18-29
• Required backgrounds vary, but generally work experience over 2 years is not expected.

Typical Terms & Conditions

• Assignments run for 6-24 months
• Entitled to certain allowances
• Recruited nationally or internationally

How to apply

All UN Youth Volunteer assignments to volunteer abroad are published on this website (under Special Calls for Volunteers). Specific national assignments are also advertised here.

UN Online Volunteers

Online volunteering allows organizations and volunteers to team up to address sustainable development challenges. Assignments vary significantly and include responsibilities in the areas of writing and editing, translation, IT, research, project management, advocacy, and others.

Requirements

Requirements for UN Online Volunteers vary based on the nature of the assignment, normally include language abilities and specific technical skills necessary to engage in the assignment.

Terms & Conditions

• UN Online Volunteers do not have a contract with the United Nations and are not recognised as UN employees
• All positions are unpaid, no allowances are provided
• A certificate of service may be issued upon request

How to apply

Assignments for UN Online Volunteers are regularly published on this website.