What is UNV?
What is UNV's mission?
Who is in charge?
Who are the UNV volunteers?
What do they do?
In which sectors do they work?
Where are they working?
How does the programme operate
How is it funded?

II. ABOUT HOW TO VOLUNTEER

II.1. I wish to register in the UNV database

II.1.1. I need information before starting registration

Can I become a UNV volunteer?
How do I register to become a UNV volunteer?
Is there an age limit for UNV volunteers?
How long does it take to complete the web-based UNV application?
Will I be asked to upload my CV during the application process?
Should I submit an application in all the languages I am fluent in?
Are UNV volunteers staff of the United Nations?
Do UNV volunteers receive any financial and/or other benefits?
How long does it take to be assigned as a UNV volunteer?
How long are UNV assignments?
Where do I find the list of available UNV assignments?
Can I serve together with my partner?
Can I be accompanied by my family?
May I choose which country I go to or which assignment I am offered?

II.1.2. I have started registering in the UNV database and have questions

Should I register in all the languages I am fluent in?
I received a message asking me to validate my email address. What should I do?
My password to continue the registration does not work. What should I do?
How will I know that I have successfully completed my registration?
When will I receive a response to my registration?
I have registered but have not received any response. What should I do?
Should I send my CV in addition to registering online?


II.2. I am already registered in the UNV database

II.2.1. I am serving/have served as a UNV volunteer

Will I be considered automatically as an interested and available candidate in the database at the end of my UNV assignment?
How can I update my profile at the end or after my UNV assignment?
How can I stay involved beyond my UNV assignment?

II.2.2. I have not yet served as a UNV volunteer

How can I update my profile in the UNV database?
I have forgotten my roster number. What should I do?
I was contacted/called for a UNV assignment. What happens next?
How often should I confirm my availability for UNV assignments?
What happens if I don't confirm my availability?
What happens if I am temporarily unavailable for UNV assignments?
I was included in the UNV database before, but my profile has since been archived. Can I re-activate my profile?
How long does it take to be assigned as a UNV volunteer?
Who selects my profile for a UNV assignment?
As my registration in the database of candidates does not guarantee a UNV assignment, is there any way I can start contributing to peace and development worldwide beyond a UNV assignment?

I. ABOUT THE UNV PROGRAMME

What is UNV? [go to top]
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide.

Volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tackling development challenges, and it can transform the pace and nature of development. Volunteerism benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation.

UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for recognition of volunteers, working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing an increasing number and diversity of volunteers, including experienced UNV volunteers, throughout the world. UNV embraces volunteerism as universal and inclusive, and recognizes volunteerism in its diversity as well as the values that sustain it: free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity.

Based in Bonn, Germany, UNV is active in 140 countries. It is represented worldwide through the offices of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and reports to the UNDP Executive Board.

What is UNV's mission? [go to top]
Volunteering brings benefits to both society at large and the individual volunteer. It makes important contributions, economically as well as socially. It contributes to a more cohesive society by building trust and reciprocity among citizens.

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that supports sustainable human development globally through the promotion of volunteerism, including the mobilization of volunteers. It serves the causes of peace and development by enhancing opportunities for participation by all peoples. It is universal, inclusive and embraces volunteer action in all its diversity. It values free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity, which are the foundations of volunteerism.

Who is in charge? [go to top]
Read about the UNV Executive Coordinator, Flavia Pansieri.

Who are the UNV volunteers? [go to top]
Some 7,000 qualified and experienced women and men of nearly 160 nationalities serving each year in developing countries as UN Volunteers. Since 1971, some 30,000 UN Volunteers have worked in about 140 countries. Currently, nearly 70 per cent are citizens of developing countries while the remaining 30 per cent come from the industrialized world. See the Volunteer Statistics.

What do they do? [go to top]
They work in technical cooperation with governments, with community-based initiatives, in humanitarian relief and rehabilitation and in support of human rights, electoral and peace-building processes. They are professionals who work on a peer basis. They listen and discuss; teach and train; encourage and facilitate. Volunteers also share and exchange ideas, skills and experience.

In which sectors do they work? [go to top]
The UNV programme involves a wide spread of sectors: it maintains a roster covering 115 professional categories. Agriculture, health and education feature prominently, as do human rights promotion, information and communication technology, community development, vocational training, industry and population.

Where are they working? [go to top]
Over the years, they have served in about 140 countries. Today 40 per cent are at work in Africa, 26 per cent in Asia and the Pacific, and 15 per cent in Central and Eastern Europe; the remainder are to be found in the Arab States, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Thirty per cent serve in the world's poorest nations -- the least developed. Half work outside capital cities, frequently in remote towns and villages. This is in response to expressed needs, and it reflects the commitment which volunteers bring. Included here are the field workers serving at the grassroots level in Asia, the Pacific and Africa. These are practitioners with excellent track records in village-level community work; they exchange skills and knowledge among countries of those regions.

How does the programme operate? [go to top]
It works in partnership with governments, UN Agencies, development banks and non-governmental and community-based organizations. The programmes within which UNV specialists serve are usually managed by governments; often there is technical input and supervision from one of the UN system's specialized agencies, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) or from the World Bank. At the request of some governments UNV itself acts as executing agent.

How is it funded? [go to top]
Part of UNV's resources come from country and regional funds provided by UNDP. Other significant sources include the regular programme budgets of UN agencies, contributions from host governments, special purpose grants by donor governments, and the UNV Special Voluntary Fund. Contributions to UNV's Special Voluntary Fund and other funds exceed $17 million annually.

II. ABOUT HOW TO VOLUNTEER

II.1. I wish to register in the UNV database

II.1.1. I need information before starting registration

Can I become a UNV volunteer? [go to top]
To become a UNV volunteer you should be at least 25 years of age and possess the following qualifications:
- A university degree or higher technical diploma;
- At least two years of relevant working experience;
- Good working knowledge in at least one of the three UNV working languages: English, French and Spanish.
In addition, you should be able to demonstrate:
- A strong commitment to the values and principles of volunteerism;
- The ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
- The ability to adjust to difficult living conditions;
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills;
- Prior volunteering and/or working experience in a developing country is an asset.

How do I register to become a UNV volunteer? [go to top]
You register through our web-based registration system which consists of two parts:
Part 1: You complete a short questionnaire and validate your email address.
Part 2: If you meet UNV's minimum requirements, you receive a login and password allowing you to enter detailed information regarding your skills, education and experience.
Both steps together can take between 30 - 60 minutes depending on the length of your experience and the speed of your internet connection.
Please note that we cannot process applications received by email and/or postal mail.

Is there an age limit for UNV volunteers? [go to top]
You have to be 25 years of age before taking up a UNV assignment. There is no upper age limit.

How long does it take to complete the web-based UNV registration? [go to top]
The web-based registration process consists of two parts:
Part 1: You complete a short questionnaire and validate your email address.
Part 2: If you meet UNV's minimum requirements, you receive a login and password allowing you to enter detailed information regarding your skills, education and experience.
Both steps together can take between 30 - 60 minutes depending on the length of your experience and the speed of your internet connection.

Will I be asked to upload my CV during the application process? [go to top]
No. However, if you have your electronic CV accessible, you can copy and paste information from your CV into the online registration form.

Should I submit an application in all the languages I am fluent in? [go to top]
No. You choose only one of the three UNV working languages (English, French or Spanish) for your registration.
Please note that registrations in French or Spanish will mainly be considered for UNV assignments in francophone or hispanophone countries respectively. If you have the necessary language skills and would be interested in serving in different regions, we recommend that you register in English. In the UNV registration form you can indicate all languages you speak.

Are UNV volunteers staff of the United Nations? [go to top]
No. UNV volunteers serve for a limited period of time on specific assignments. Their conditions of service differ from those of UN staff. However, UNV volunteers and UN staff share common goals such as supporting peace and development.

Do UNV volunteers receive any financial and/or other benefits? [go to top]
The key benefit of being a UNV volunteer is the personal satisfaction the volunteer assignment brings to you as you make a positive impact on peace and development. However, we support you during your assignment in several ways, e.g through a monthly volunteer living allowance, annual leave, or medical insurance. For more details go here.

How long does it take to be assigned as a UNV volunteer? [go to top]
The time between your registration in the database and a possible volunteer opportunity varies greatly. Furthermore, given the demand-driven nature of the UNV programme, registration in our database does not imply a positive assessment of your profile nor guarantee that you will be assigned as a UNV volunteer.

How long are UNV assignments? [go to top]
The vast majority of assignments are based on six to twelve month renewable contracts with the expectation that the UNV volunteer will serve a year or more.

Where do I find the list of available UNV assignments? [go to top]
UNV does not publish a list of available assignments. The majority of UNV assignments are filled by candidates from our database. Therefore, the best way to be considered for a UNV assignment is to register your profile in our database through our web-based registration system.

Can I serve together with my partner? [go to top]
The UNV programme accepts registrations from couples wishing to volunteer together. However, given that we are a demand-driven programme, it is very rare that couples are selected at the same time for the same duty station.
In some cases, when a candidate accepts a UNV assignment in a family duty station, his/her legally recognized partner can accompany the UNV volunteer as a dependant. The partner can then look for volunteer opportunities locally, provided the authorities of the host country do not object.

Can I be accompanied by my family? [go to top]
It depends. The status of the duty station and the requirements of the assignment determine whether or not dependants can accompany the UNV volunteer (family or non-family duty station). Factors considered are for example the nature of the assignment, security concerns or the availability of certain services.
If the UNV volunteer serves in a family duty station, he/she can choose up to three recognized dependants that can accompany him/her to the duty station:
- Either one spouse (or one legally recognized partner) and up to two of the candidate’s own or legally adopted, unmarried children under 21 years of age; or
- Three of the candidate's own or legally adopted, unmarried children under 21 years of age.
Hence, other family members (such as brother, sister, mother, father) and fiancé(e), are not considered as recognized dependants by UNV.

May I choose which country I go to or which assignment I am offered? [go to top]
No. In your registration, you can mention preferences for developing countries you believe you are more suitable for. However, candidates are identified for UNV assignments primarily based on the best match between their skills and the specific requirements of the assignment.

II.1.2 I have started registering in the UNV database and have questions

Should I register in all the languages I am fluent in? [go to top]
No. You choose only one of the three UNV working languages (English, French or Spanish) for your registration.
Please note that registrations in French or Spanish will mainly be considered for UNV assignments in francophone or hispanophone countries respectively. If you have the necessary language skills and would be interested in serving in different regions, we recommend that you register in English. In the UNV registration form, you can indicate all languages you speak.

I received a message asking me to validate my email address. What should I do? [go to top]
The only way to validate your email address is through the link provided in the email you have received. You can either click on the link or copy/paste the link into the browser window.

My password to continue the registration does not work. What should I do? [go to top]
Our passwords are case sensitive. Therefore we suggest that you copy/paste your password in the appropriate box.

How will I know that I have successfully completed my registration? [go to top]
When you have completed all mandatory fields, you click on the "Submit Application" button. You then have to "Confirm" the submission of your registration. Shortly after, you will receive an email message with your roster number and some practical information on being a registered candidate in the UNV database.

When will I receive a response to my registration? [go to top]
Within 24 hours from registering, you will receive an automatic confirmation of your registration in the UNV database and your personal roster number. Please note that inclusion in the UNV database does not guarantee that you will be offered a UNV volunteer assignment.

I have registered but have not received any response. What should I do? [go to top]
The UNV registration process consists of two parts:
Part 1: You complete a short questionnaire. Shortly after, you receive the first automated message with a link to validate your email address.
Part 2: If you meet UNV's minimum requirements, you then receive a second message with your login and password allowing you to complete your registration. Upon submission, you receive a third message confirming that you are registered in the UNV database and providing your roster number.
Please be aware that some email providers and spam filters may redirect our emails to users' junk email folders. Therefore, we suggest that you check your junk email or spam folders.
If you did not receive our first validation email, you may have mistyped your email address. In this case, please start the registration process again.

Should I send my CV in addition to registering online? [go to top]
No. All information regarding your skills and experience should be entered through our web-based registration form.

Can I register more than once in the UNV database of candidates? [go to top]
No.  You should only register once in the UNV database of candidates, any subsecuent registrations will be deleted upon receipt.

II.2. I am already registered in the UNV database

II.2.1 I am serving/have served as a UNV volunteer

Will I be considered automatically as an interested and available candidate in the database at the end of my UNV assignment? [go to top]
No. If you are interested in serving again as a UNV volunteer, you must activate your profile in the database by contacting roster@unvolunteers.org at the end of your present assignment.

How can I update my profile at the end or after my UNV assignment? [go to top]
As part of the transition, UNV is also streamlining its roster management procedures. In this regard we are pleased to inform you that in 2010 we will launch a new web-based service, which will allow you to update your availability, contact details, professional experience and educational qualifications. We will inform you by email as soon as the service is available.  Meanwhile you can update your contact details any time by accessing http://scoa.unv.org. If you do not have (or lost) your password click on the "Get your password" button. You can then enter either your roster number or your email address registered in our system. Your password will be emailed to you automatically.

How can I stay involved beyond my UNV assignment? [go to top]
There are many ways for former UNV volunteers to stay in contact with each other, the UNV programme and more generally with volunteerism for peace and development. Find out about your options by visiting http://www.unv.org/formerunvvolunteers.html

II.2.2 I have not yet served as a UNV volunteer

How can I update my profile in the UNV database? [go to top]
You can confirm your availability and update your contact details by accessing the http://scoa.unv.org . We are in the process of expanding this functionality and will inform you as soon as it is ready.

I have forgotten my roster number. What should I do? [go to top]
You can obtain your roster number by accessing the http://scoa.unv.org website. Click on the "Get your password" button and enter your email address in the box provided. You will then receive an automatic email with your roster number included.

I was contacted/called for a UNV assignment. What happens next? [go to top]
In general, we contact between 5 and 10 candidates and invite them to express their interest in and availability for the particular UNV assignment. After reviewing the responses received, we draw a short-list of 3 to 5 profiles, which we submit to the relevant authorities of the country requesting the services of a UNV volunteer.
The requesting authorities make the final choice and select the candidate who best fulfils their needs and requirements, usually following an interview and/or an in-depth assessment. We send an offer to the selected candidate that details the exact conditions of the UNV assignment and all necessary steps that need to be taken prior to his/her departure. Candidates not selected are being informed accordingly.
Please be aware that the above steps describe the recruitment process in general terms.

How often should I confirm my availability for UNV assignments? [go to top]
You should confirm your availability at least every six months or whenever your availability changes. If we do not hear from you for six months, we will send you a reminder.

What happens if I don't confirm my availability? [go to top]
If we do not hear from you for six months, we will send you a message asking you to confirm your availability. If we do not receive a response to our reminder, we will archive your profile. It will remain archived unless you reactivate your status in the database through http://scoa.unv.org . While your profile is archived, we will not contact you for UNV assignments.

What happens if I am temporarily unavailable for UNV assignments? [go to top]
If you indicate that you are not available to take up a UNV assignment within the next six months or more, your profile will be archived. It will remain archived unless you reactivate your status in the database through http://scoa.unv.org . While your profile is archived, we will not contact you for UNV assignments.

I was included in the UNV database before, but my profile has since been archived. Can I re-activate my profile? [go to top]
Yes. Simply access http://scoa.unv.org and indicate your new date of availability.  If you do not have (or lost) your password click on the "Get your password" button. You can then enter either your roster number or your email address registered in our system. Your password will be emailed to you automatically.

How long does it take to be assigned as a UNV volunteer? [go to top]
The time between your registration in the database and a possible volunteer opportunity varies greatly. Furthermore, given the demand-driven nature of the UNV programme, registration in our database does not imply a positive assessment of your profile nor guarantee that you will be assigned as a UNV volunteer.

Who selects my profile for a UNV assignment? [go to top]
Generally, the UNV programme draws a short-list of three to five profiles for each assignment, which we submit to the relevant authorities of the country requesting the services of a UNV volunteer.
The requesting authorities make the final choice and select the candidate who best fulfils their needs and requirements, usually following an interview and/or an in-depth assessment.

As my registration in the database of candidates does not guarantee a UNV assignment, is there any way I can start contributing to peace and development worldwide beyond a UNV assignment? [go to top]
Yes, we encourage you to visit UNV's Online Volunteering service at www.onlinevolunteering.org. The Online Volunteering service connects volunteers with organizations worldwide to work together for peace and development – over the Internet. Hundreds of opportunities are available for volunteers to engage in development activities and to provide online support to the work of grassroots organizations, international NGOs, governments and United Nations agencies.