A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Become a UN Volunteer: Join the Global Force for Change
Introduction:
United Nations Volunteers (UNV) are an integral part of the UN’s global mission, working tirelessly to promote peace and sustainable development. Becoming a UN Volunteer is an exciting opportunity for individuals seeking to make a meaningful impact while gaining valuable professional experience. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to become a UN Volunteer and join the global force for change.
What is the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Program?
The UNV program is a United Nations initiative that enables individuals to contribute their skills, knowledge, and time to support the UN’s efforts in addressing global challenges. UN Volunteers work in various fields, including healthcare, education, human rights, and disaster relief, collaborating with UN agencies such as UNDP, UNICEF, and WHO.
Eligibility Criteria for UN Volunteers
Before diving into the application process, it’s essential to understand the basic eligibility requirements for UN Volunteers:
- Age: Applicants must be at least 22 years old for national volunteer positions and 25 years old for international positions.
- Education: A bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field is typically required.
- Experience: Relevant work experience, including volunteer work, is essential for most positions.
- Language: Proficiency in English, French, or Spanish is necessary, with additional language skills considered an asset.
- Skills: Applicants should possess strong skills in their chosen field and demonstrate a commitment to the values of the United Nations.
How to Become a UN Volunteer: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to embark on your journey to becoming a UN Volunteer:
Step 1: Research UN Volunteer Opportunities
Start by exploring the UNV website (unv.org) to learn about the various volunteer opportunities available. Familiarize yourself with the different types of volunteer assignments, including national and international positions, online volunteering, and university volunteer programs.
Step 2: Register and Create a UNV Profile
Visit the UNV website and register for an account. Fill in the required information, including personal details, educational background, and work experience. Creating a detailed and accurate profile is crucial, as it helps match you with suitable volunteer opportunities.
Step 3: Search and Apply for Volunteer Positions
Regularly check the UNV website for available volunteer assignments that align with your skills, interests, and qualifications. Carefully read the requirements and responsibilities for each position before applying. Tailor your application to demonstrate how your experience and skills align with the specific assignment.
Step 4: Prepare for the Selection Process
If shortlisted, you will be contacted for an interview. Prepare by reviewing your application and researching the specific UN agency and assignment. Practice answering common interview questions and be ready to discuss your skills, experiences, and motivations for volunteering.
Step 5: Complete Additional Assessments or Checks
If you progress in the selection process, you may be asked to complete additional assessments or provide references. Be prepared to undergo a background check or provide documentation to verify your qualifications and work experience.
Step 6: Accept Your UN Volunteer Assignment
If selected, you will receive an offer to become a UN Volunteer. Review the assignment details, including the duration, location, and benefits, and accept the offer to begin your journey as a UN Volunteer.
What is the United Nations Volunteer Program?
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. We work with partners to integrate qualified, highly motivated and well supported UN Volunteers into development programming and promote the value and global recognition of volunteerism. UN Volunteers programme is administered by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) but UN Volunteers work across the whole UN system. To illustrate, in 2015 UNV deployed 6,796 UN Volunteers to 122 countries. Largest number of UN Volunteers was hosted by UNDPKO (UN Peacekeeping Operations), UNDPA (UN Department of Political Affairs), second place belongs to UNDP, third to UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency). Overall UN Volunteers were deployed to 38 different UN entities.
Since you would like to become UN volunteer, it is good to know a little history about UNV. Currently headquartered in Bonn, Germany, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) formed in 1970 and is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Over the years, the UNV has achieved countless milestones and has become one of the best volunteer abroad organizations in the world. A few of those milestones include:
Sending their first 35 volunteers abroad in 1971 to countries such as Chad and East Pakistan (modern-day Bangladesh).
Placement of UN volunteers in 52 developing countries by the end of 1976
Establishment of International Volunteer Day in 1985
Participating in their first peace operation in 1992 as 700 UN volunteers joined the United Nations Advance Mission in Cambodia (they assisted with electoral registration amidst a difficult post-conflict situation)
Assistance with the 1994 election in South Africa, the first in which citizens of all races could participate
Reaching 4,000 volunteers per year in 1998
Deployment of volunteers to Haiti following the devastating 2010 earthquake
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND LEADERSHIP
UNV headquarters are in Bonn, Germany. UNV has around 150 staff members at headquarters, and over 9,400 UN Volunteers deployed in the field in 2020.
Mr Toily Kurbanov (Russian Federation) is the Executive Coordinator of UNV, and took up his appointment on 4 January 2021.
Ms Kyoko Yokosuka (Japan) is the Deputy Executive Coordinator and will be taking up her appointment in April 2021.
UNV’s Office in New York (ONY) promotes volunteers and volunteerism through partnership development with Permanent Missions to the UN, UN partners headquartered in New York, civil society organizations and other NY-based partners. It monitors policy and strategy developments at the UN in New York and contributes to UN Volunteer mobilization by developing and promoting volunteer solutions within UN partner operations, projects and programmes, coordinating closely with UNV headquarters, regional offices and field units.
UNV has six Regional Offices in Amman (covering the Arab States), Bangkok (covering Asia and the Pacific), Dakar (covering West and Central Africa), Istanbul (covering Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States), Nairobi (covering East and Southern Africa) and Panama City (covering Latin America and the Caribbean). The regional offices are the first entry point for partners wishing to engage with UNV. They offer UNV services and solutions to government partners, UN entities, civil society and the private sector, and takes the lead in scoping and delivering UNV advisory services on volunteer infrastructure. They also provide oversight and strategic guidance to UNV’s field units in the regions.
At the country level, UNV Field Units interact with UN entities to strategically and meaningfully integrate volunteerism into the implementation and delivery of their mandates. As part of this process, UNV works with UN entities to identify opportunities where volunteers add specific and unique value to development programmes and peacekeeping missions. The UN Partner Toolkit is the first point of entry for partners seeking information about mobilizing and managing UN Volunteers.
Where can you volunteer with the United Nations?
You can serve as a UN volunteer around the world, for today there are 130 countries in the world hosted UN Volunteers. In addition to volunteering abroad with the United Nations, you also have opportunities to volunteer in your home country and even online. You may check countries here like an example https://www.unv.org/special-calls
Additionally, 12,000 volunteers serve in remote roles across more than 185 countries each year. The UN online volunteer program, which began in 2000, has been instrumental in removing barriers to international volunteering, such as time, place, and cost.
In total, there are three types of UN volunteer locations. You can:
- Volunteer abroad
- Volunteer in your home country
- Volunteer online (you may see all opportunities here https://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en/opportunities )
How to Become a UN Volunteer
To apply for a UN Volunteer position, follow these steps:
- Register on the UNV website by creating an account and filling in the required information, including your personal details, educational background, and work experience.
- Complete and submit your UNV profile, highlighting your skills, areas of interest, and language proficiency.
- Regularly check the UNV website for available volunteer opportunities and apply for the ones that match your skills and interests.
- If shortlisted, you will be contacted for an interview, after which the selection process will continue with additional assessments or reference checks as needed.
- If selected, you will receive an offer to become a UN Volunteer, along with information about your assignment, VLA, and benefits.