What is the United Nations Volunteer Program and where can you volunteer with the United Nations?
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:
Becoming a United Nations Volunteer (UNV) offers a unique opportunity to contribute to peace and development worldwide while working within the United Nations system. UN Volunteers engage in a wide range of operations, including humanitarian relief, sustainable development, and peacekeeping missions. Hereโs a step-by-step guide to becoming part of this global force for change.
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.
Step 1: Understand the UNV Program
Research: Start by familiarizing yourself with the UNV program. Visit the official UNV website to understand the program's goals, the types of volunteer opportunities available (national, international, online), and the impact of UN Volunteers around the world.
Step 2: Assess Your Eligibility and Fit
Eligibility Criteria: Ensure you meet the basic requirements. For most assignments, you need to be at least 22 years old for national and 25 for international volunteer opportunities. A university degree or higher technical diploma is usually required, along with relevant work experience.
Skills and Experience: Reflect on your skills and experience. The UNV looks for a wide range of professional backgrounds. Consider how your background aligns with the needs of UN agencies.
Step 3: Prepare Your Application
Update Your CV: Tailor your resume or CV to highlight your relevant experience, skills, and achievements. Include any previous volunteer work, languages spoken, and specific expertise relevant to potential UNV assignments.
Create a UNV Profile: Register and fill out your profile in the UNV database. This profile is your primary tool for being matched with volunteer opportunities, so ensure it is comprehensive and up-to-date.
Step 4: Search and Apply for Assignments
Browse Opportunities: Regularly check the UNV website for new assignments that match your skills and interests. You can apply for specific assignments that interest you.
Stay Flexible: Consider a wide range of assignments, including those in locations or fields of work that might not have been your first choice. Flexibility increases your chances of selection.
Step 5: Prepare for the Selection Process
Interview Preparation: If shortlisted, you may be invited for an interview. Prepare by researching the specific UN agency and its mandate, understanding the assignment's objectives, and thinking of examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your suitability.
Reference Checks: Ensure your references are informed and willing to support your application. References play a crucial role in the selection process.
Step 6: Accept an Assignment
Offer: If selected, youโll receive an offer detailing the assignment's terms, conditions, and benefits. Carefully review this offer.
Logistical Preparations: Once you accept the offer, you'll receive support for visa, travel arrangements, and other logistical aspects of starting your assignment.
Step 7: Engage in Pre-departure Training
Training: Participate in any required pre-departure trainings or briefings. These sessions are crucial for understanding your role, the operational context, and the UNโs expectations.
Step 8: Start Your Assignment
Integration: Upon arrival, take the time to integrate into your new environment and understand the community youโll be serving. Building strong relationships with local colleagues and community members is key to a successful assignment.
Continuous Learning: Take advantage of learning opportunities during your assignment to enhance your skills and contribute more effectively to your role.
Step 9: Reflect and Share Your Experience
Documentation: Keep a journal or blog of your experiences, challenges, and accomplishments. Sharing your journey can inspire others and highlight the impact of volunteer work.
Community Engagement: Engage with the UNV community and other volunteers. Sharing experiences and tips can be invaluable for both current and prospective volunteers.
Step 10: Leverage Your Experience
Professional Development: Use the skills, knowledge, and networks youโve gained during your assignment to advance your career, whether within the UN system, in the broader field of international development, or in other professional areas.
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.
Becoming a UN Volunteer is not just about what you can offer, but also about what you can learn and how you grow through the experience. It's a chance to make a meaningful difference in the world while developing yourself both professionally and personally.
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