What is volunteerism?

According to the UN definition “Volunteerism is one of the most vital delivery mechanisms for social, environmental and economic transformation, ensuring a lasting impact with its ability to change people’s mindsets, attitudes and behaviours.”

You can help people with your knowledge, skills, and time by becoming a UN volunteer.

Becoming a UN volunteer is an opportunity to make a contribution to peace and the sustainable goals agenda, and in consequence, contribute to a better world.

Additionally read: What is volunteering and how to do it?

un volunteers

The UN offers 3 types of volunteer activities:

  1. Volunteering abroad
  2. Volunteering in the candidate’s home country
  3. Online volunteering.

Volunteering abroad

Un volunteers work abroad from 6 to 12 months (sometimes the term can be extended from 1 to 2 years).

See Also:Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits

Sometimes UN volunteers are required to participate for a short time (up to 3 months).

Organizers provide volunteers:

  • finance to pay for basic expenses;
  • payment of travel to the place of work;
  • financial assistance that is paid upon arrival at the workplace;
  • insurance;
  • annual leave;
  • financial assistance that is paid at the end of the work.

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Requirements:

  • candidate must be over 25 years old;
  • must complet higher education;
  • must have experience of at least 2 years;
  • must have and excellent knowledge of at least one working language of the UN (English, Spanish, French);
  • have the desire to be a volunteer;
  • must have the ability to work in a multicultural environment;
  • must have the desire to work with people and local organizations;
  • must be adaptable to live in difficult conditions;
  • must present managerial and interpersonal skills;
  • must have an experience or volunteering in a developing country.

If you want to become a volunteer, you need to create your own page in the UNV Global Talent Pool.

The page must be filled in English, French, or Spanish. The volunteering opportunities are assigned based on the information you provide, therefore it is important to fill it out well.

Once the job that corresponds to your skills and knowledge appears you will be contacted via e-mail, which you indicate on your page.

All questions can be sent in English at roster@unv.org

More details on the official site.

Volunteering in the candidate’s home country

Do you have the desire to make a contribution to the development of your native country?

In this case, you can do this by becoming one of the UN volunteers.

You will work together with other volunteers from different countries.

The service life of UN volunteers, however, is different (from 2 weeks to 4 years).

Organizers provide:

  • finance to pay for basic expenses (physical, vaccination);
  • payment of travel to the place of work;
  • finances to pay for the basic living expenses of the volunteer and his family;
  • financial remuneration at the end of the work;
  • providing living conditions if the volunteer will work in unacceptable conditions;
  • annual vacation;
  • insurance.

Requirements:

Similarly to working abroad, the requirements are the following:

  • a citizen of a country or a candidate who legally resides in the country can become a volunteer;
  • a candidate must be over 22 years old (there are vacancies and for candidates over 18 years old);
  • bachelor’s or master’s degree, in some cases it is enough to have a completed secondary education;
  • at least 2 years of work experience;
  • candidates must know (be able to communicate and write) their native language (s) and know one of the UN working languages;
  • ability to work in a multicultural environment;
  • desire to work with people and local organizations;
  • ability to live in difficult conditions;
  • organizational and interpersonal skills.

Volunteering online

Have you ever considered volunteering for the UN online from any device and at the same time contributing to tackling global issues? The UN Volunteering services provide this opportunity for anyone who wants to connect with UN entities, governments, public institutions and civil society organizations.

Requirements

  • You must be at least 18 years of age.
  • There is no particular background required to become an Online Volunteer. Each Online Volunteer assignment is different and has its own requirements, set by the host organization.
  • You can work up to 20 hours per week for a maximum of 12 weeks for each assignment.
  • Anyone interested in contributing their time and skills to the global sustainable human development efforts can become an Online Volunteer, regardless of your background or location.

Check out more information here.

Categories of volunteers:

  1. Special volunteers . Higher education and work experience is required.
  2. Working with people . It is necessary to have completed secondary education, communication skills; volunteers should live and work in their communes.
  3. Working with young people.
  4. Volunteers for another job.

View job openings on the website of the organizers. If you are interested in one of the vacancies, you can apply.

All questions can be sent in English at roster@unv.org More details on the official site.

Other opportunities : 

If you would like to find interesting project opportunities you can also visit our web page Abroadship.org which provides a wide range of programs including: Volunteering, Youth Exchanges, Seminars, Training courses, Internships, and many more..

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