For tens of millions of people around the world, volunteering is an expression of support for a principle that strikes to the heart of the United Nations system: that by working together, we can make the world a better place for everyone. Volunteering and UN programmes empower individuals, build solidarity, encourage participation and protect the vulnerable against economic, social and political marginalization. Volunteerism builds networks of reciprocity, reinforcing society's most basic social safety net -- collective responsibility. Become a UN Volunteer and explore the scope and vision of volunteerism!
UNV offers its volunteers a unique opportunity to have an extremely challenging and rewarding experience devoting their skills and expertise for the sustainable development of communities around the world (as International UNVs), or in their own country (as National UNVs).
The motivation in becoming a UNV is not self-interest, seeking employment or using the assignment as a stepping stone to a career inside or outside the UN. Although the volunteers' basic needs are covered by UNV, their main compensation is not monetary.
Their drive comes from the notion of volunteerism itself. A UNV's primary objective is to contribute to the development of the community within which they work, and the reward for it comes from the personal satisfaction obtained and from the interpersonal exchange involved in volunteer work.
UNVs are flexible individuals, receptive to other cultures and ways of working. Their priorities are clear, and their strength and success comes from their commitment and professionalism.
Recruitment
UNVs accept their mission not as employment but as voluntary service for a period of limited duration. In other words, a UNV assignment is not a career position. Normal assignments vary from 12 to 24 months and can be extended. Shorter missions are frequent, depending on the specific circumstances in the field.
Annually, approximately 25,000 persons, from all over the world apply to UNV Headquarters and acceptance is highly selective. After a screening, about 10% are included in the computerized UNV roster. This roster presently includes more than 4,000 candidates, in 115 different professional categories. To keep the roster up-to-date, candidates are requested to reconfirm their interest and availability every six months.
Application Procedures
In some 40 countries UNV has arrangements with co-operating organizations or National Focal Points to assist with assessment of candidatures, interviewing, and with briefing and preparing those selected. If you are a citizen to one of the countries listed, you should apply through the organization listed.
If you are from an industrialized country not listed, you may write to the UNV Headquarters. If a national of a developing country not listed, you should apply through the UN Development Programme (UNDP) office in your capital city.
Your application will be appraised and you will be informed only if you have been placed on the UNV roster of candidates. As a general rule, you will receive a response within four to eight weeks from the date your application is received by the Cyprus Offshore Processing Centre. Admission to the roster implies that you may be a candidate for a UNV assignment and that you accept to make yourself available within eight weeks should a formal offer be made to you. It also ensures that you are considered for posts all over the world. Candidates must be at least 25 years of age.
Subject to reconfirmation of availability every six months, your name will be kept no the roster for two years. Please note that inclusion in the roster does not guarantee that you will be selected for an assignment. Your candidature may be submitted with others to a requesting country in response to a specific request. If so, you will be called for interview. If your candidature is chosen by the host country, you will be asked to confirm your availability for the assignment. Clearance (technical, government, medical, travel) is then obtained to enable you to depart for the assignment.
If you are interested in posts that are specific only to the Lao PDR, please search for openings through the UNDP Vacancies link at http://www.undplao.org/vacancies/. Through this link you can apply to specific posts, but note that through this application process you will not be placed on the worldwide roster and will not be automatically considered for other posts.
If you are in Lao PDR, you can email the UNV Programme directly at unv.lao@undp.org, or call our office in Vientiane to make an appointment (please see our contact details) for more detailed inquiries.
Funding
Funds usually come from country and regional funds provided by UNDP, regular programme budgets of UN agencies and contributions from host governments. When funding is not available from these sources, UNV can often identify other sources of funding or field UNVs who are fully-funded. For example, in Lao PDR, approximately 20% of the UNVs are fully-funded through agreements with Japan, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Ireland, etc. UNV Headquarters (located in Bonn, Germany) also manages a Special Voluntary Fund (SVF), which can be utilized for specific types of assignments, such as pilot projects or exploratory responses to issues of global concern, particularly those emanating from the UN Global Conferences.
What is provided to a UNV ?
As a UN Volunteer, you offer your services on a voluntary basis. We support you through several benefits, including travel costs, a settling-in allowance, monthly living allowance, and a small resettlement allowance based on the number of month served. All UNVs are entitled to health and life insurance and are included in the UN medical and security evacuation plans. Annual leave accrues at 2.5 working days per month.
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