United Nations Volunteer programme in your country
National UN Volunteers are priceless assets to the work of the United Nations, particularly at the community level where they usher in more amazing ownership of programmes and projects.
As a national UN Volunteer serving with a United Nations entity, you will make a positive effect on your homeland, while working alongside people from around the world, including international volunteers and other United Nations professionals. As a citizen, you can share your understanding of local languages and culture and bring an insider’s knowledge of social and economic conditions.
Serving with a UN entity, you can share your understanding of local languages and culture and bring an insider’s understanding of social and economic conditions.
Find the UNV programme here.
UN Volunteer Assignment
National UN Volunteers may continually have many functions. The types of activities in which national UN Volunteers engage may incorporate:
- Intensifying the capacities of local communities, so they can partake effectively in development activities and gain access to government services;
- Promoting social inclusion and the empowerment of marginalized communities and persons;
- Motivating national and local volunteer initiatives; and
- Fostering sustainability and local ownership of development and peacebuilding activities.
The beauty of this is that the volunteers themselves earn valuable background and enrich their own skills and growth. That is why volunteering is often defined as a win-win situation.
You may like this: United Nation Volunteer programmes in Abroad
Eligibility criteria
- National UN Volunteers are empowered with a wide variety of roles and their duty stations range from capital cities to remote villages.
- There is no typical profile for a national UN Volunteer. Each national UN Volunteer assignment is unique, and each has its own specific requirements.
- The minimum age for a national UN Volunteer is 18. UN Community Volunteers do not need academic or skilled experience. However, for other national UN Volunteer categories, the assignment may request higher education and professional competency. Kindly refer to the Description of Assignment for details.
- Becoming a national UN Volunteer is also possible for non-nationals residing legally in the host country with the status of refugees or stateless persons (if this is allowed under national laws).
For more information about eligibility criteria: Everything about Volunteer programme at the United Nations
Condition of Assistance
- National UN Volunteers obtain a volunteer living allowance to sustain a basic, adequate, and safe lifestyle. This allowance is modified based on the national UN Volunteer category and may vary from one location to another, depending on local living costs.
- However, all national UN Volunteers in the same category (Community, University, Specialist, Expert) in the same location acquire the same allowance
- A one-time Entry Lump Sum helps volunteers meet initial expenditures upon commencing the duties of their assignment.
- National UN Volunteers who are required to move to take up their role in a new duty station will obtain funds in support of their travel.
- Kindly refer to the new Unified Conditions of Service in English, French, and Spanish. Serving volunteers may be directed 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.
Applying for UNV
- UN Volunteer assignments are advertised on our Unified Volunteering Platform.
- In order to apply for assignments, prospects ought to register in our Global Talent Pool.
- The registration process follows a few simple steps, all of which must be completed before you can apply for onsite or online volunteering assignments.
- You can update your UNV profile at any time, and you should access it at least once a year to maintain it active.
Need assistance with the application process: Ultimate guide to the UN Volunteer Programme application process