UNV intervenes in three broad areas of work, advocating for volunteerism; integrating volunteerism into development planning; and mobilizing people, including experienced UNV volunteers, throughout the world.

This offers many opportunities for collaboration, including programmatic collaboration, with UN entities. 

UNV's work with communities and civil society:

UNV volunteers build the capacity of their host entities by acting as development catalysts in the community.

UNV volunteers connect with broader civil society, thus strengthening the potential development of inclusive and participatory social relationships.

UNV's work in the wider UN Reform context:

Where there is scope for complementarity, cooperation between UNV and the UN does not only focus on the UN organization’s work in particular areas of activity (e.g health, HIV/AIDS) and volunteerism, it also relates to forging cooperation among UN agencies within the wider reform context.

UNV volunteers:

UNV volunteers combine professionalism and experience with the motivation, dedication and mindfulness associated with volunteerism. They come from a pool of experienced specialists with varying backgrounds, including expertise which may not be available in the host organization.

UNV volunteers can be recruited quickly and have flexible contract lengths. 

The management of UNV volunteer assignments, including identification, recruitment and administration of entitlements is taken care of by UNV/UNDP.

UNV volunteers can be of international or national status, contributing to South-South collaboration.

Cost efficiency:

The placement of UNV volunteers in the projects and programmes of the host agency can help deliver objectives at a lower cost than hiring expensive expertise/consultancies.