Since 1992, the United Nations Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), Peace Operations (DPO) and Operational Support (DOS) have been partnering with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme to support peace processes in war-torn societies and countries in complex political transitions. During 2012-2022, 7,894 UN Volunteers served with UN Peacekeeping.
How does the recruitment of UN Volunteers add value to UN Peacekeeping?
As an efficient, speedy and diverse talent solution for UN partners, UN Volunteers serve with UN entities to bring people to the forefront of development, peace and humanitarian issues. UNV manages a pool of over 350,000 talented and qualified UN Volunteers who can be deployed to bolster the delivery of UN Peacekeeping’s programmes and support the Sustaining Peace Agenda.
UNMISS simply couldn’t do its work to protect civilians and build durable peace in South Sudan without the contribution of UN Volunteers. They work long hours, far away from their families, their friends and their homes, risking their health and sometimes even their lives. But their efforts are making a real difference to the people of South Sudan. We appreciate their significant contribution and value our relationship more broadly with UNV as an organization that actively supports our work in South Sudan. --David Shearer, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan
UN Volunteers are particularly suited to support UN peacekeeping, political and field missions. They advance peacebuilding, bolster humanitarian assistance, support electoral processes and respond to emergency health needs. With their specialized skills, they provide administrative, logistical, technical and medical expertise. UN Volunteers, by the very nature of volunteerism’s inclusiveness, advance the efforts of UN Peacekeeping to help countries torn by conflict create the conditions for lasting peace.
Read more about UN Volunteers serving with UN Peacekeeping, as well as UN Volunteers serving with DPKO and UN Volunteers serving with DPA in the past.
UN Volunteers are experienced personnel available to support the mandate of UN Peacekeeping. Globally, over 83 per cent of UN Volunteers came from the South in 2022, offering understanding of complex local development challenges and societal norms. UN Volunteers can strengthen the impact, sustainability and inclusivity of development initiatives, fostering participation and generating local ownership.
How can your office recruit UN Volunteers?
UNV offers different categories of UN Volunteers to suit the needs of UN partners, such as international and national specialists, youth or online volunteers. UN Volunteers can serve from two weeks to up to four years, depending on the category of volunteer. UNV manages all contractual, legal and management aspects to help minimize the administrative impacts for the host organization.
To partner with UNV and recruit UN Volunteers to support UN Peacekeeping’s programmes and operations, contact the UNV Field Representation or Regional Office for guidance and support.
For further information, refer to UNV’s website at: https://toolkit.unv.org.