The Unified Conditions of Service (UCOS) are a set of policies and rules established by the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) to manage and regulate all UN Volunteer assignments. They provide the contractual framework and expected conduct of volunteers, ensuring consistency across national and international assignments. Regularly updated by UNV, the UCOS applies to all individuals recruited as UN Volunteers, while separate terms apply to initiatives such as Online Volunteering.
On 1 April 2026, UNV will update the Unified Conditions of Service to make assignments more inclusive, efficient, and tailored to the needs of UN partners. These changes aren’t just tweaks—they’re designed to keep UN Volunteers relevant, impactful, and ready to drive progress in a rapidly evolving development landscape. Together, we’re building a stronger, more responsive UNV.
What's new?
- Experience-based recruitment criteria: Streamlined categories with clear, reduced years of experience requirements for broader volunteer engagement.
- Age limit from 18 to 80: Age-inclusive recruitment, recognizing the value of contributions at every stage of life.
- Broad opportunities for host entities and more ways to serve: New volunteer arrangements tailor-made for specific requirements, remotely, part-time and short-term assignments, opening doors for broader participation and impact.
For questions, please contact: support@unv.org
For more information, click on How to engage UN Volunteers for partners and How to become a Volunteer for candidates.
The current Unified Conditions of Service are in effect until 31 March 2026.
Image caption: The infographic shows UN Volunteer Categories effective from April 1, 2026. Common criteria: Age 18–80 and serving period 1–48 months. Four categories are listed: UN Community Volunteer (no experience required), UN Volunteer Associate (minimum 1 month experience), UN Volunteer Specialist (minimum 3 years experience), and UN Volunteer Expert (minimum 7 years experience).