Rapid deployment of UN Volunteers

When large-scale emergencies like the Ebola outbreak, Syrian Refugee Crisis and Philippines cyclone (Haiyan) occur, a coordinated rapid response is critical in ensuring that the UN system can cope with the demands, support the host government and reorient its programmes.

As an important resource of specialized human capacity with unique characteristics, UNV is a key partner in delivering humanitarian and early recovery assistance, through the establishment of stand-by capacities for humanitarian response through its UN Volunteers. UNV can assist UN agency partners during the initial phase of the emergency as well as during the recovery phase.

UNV is re-building its rapid response capacity in the following 5 areas: Protection, Information Management, Logistics, Water and Sanitation and Monitoring and Evaluation.

Would you like to become a UN Volunteer for the rapid deployment assignments and support the UN efforts during humanitarian crisis? If you fulfill the minimum requirements in one of the following areas, please register your profile. Please note that UN Volunteers are entitled to receive a Volunteer Living Allowance to cover their basic needs in the respective duty station as well as other entitlements. For more information, please consult the Conditions of Service.

• PROTECTION (Refugee Protection, Child Protection, Human Rights Protection)

Minimum requirements: University Degree in Law, International Law, Human Rights, International Relations, Social Sciences or related fields.  Two to three 3 years of experience with refugees, and/or other people of concern in a protection capacity required (e.g. Children affected by armed conflict).    

• INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

Minimum requirements: University Degree in Information Systems, GIS, Social Sciences, Statistics, Economics or related field.  Two to three years of experience in Information Management (preferably with governmental organizations, NGOs, international organizations) in development or humanitarian assistance.    Good reporting skills, preferably with experience in website and /or database maintenance, production of information products (infographics, maps, etc.), knowledge of mapping applications (e.g. ArcGIS, etc.).

• LOGISTICS

Minimum requirements: University Degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Logistics, Mathematics or related field.   Two to three years of relevant professional experience in the field of logistics. (e.g. supply chain, surface transport, warehousing, port operations, air transport, etc.).

• WASH (Water and Sanitation and Hygiene)

Minimum requirements: University Degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Sanitation Engineering, Geology, Hydrology, Environmental Public Health or related field. Two to three years of relevant professional experience in water supply, water purification systems, pump installations and associated works. Preferably with knowledge of cross sectoral programming, community based interventions, health systems.

• MONITORING AND EVALUATION

Minimum requirements: University Degree in Economics, Statistics, Project Planning and Management, Development Studies, Social Science, or related field.  Three years of relevant professional experience and proven track record in Project Monitoring and Evaluation in a development or humanitarian context.  Knowledge of Results Based Management, monitoring and evaluation methods and tools and statistical software.

Areas permanently in high demand

Beyond the priority areas for rapid deployment outlined above, international UN Volunteers hail from many different professions and levels of experience. The areas of expertise that are permanently in highest demand are found in the table below.

It is worth noting that in most cases fluency in English is required for international UN Volunteers. Additionally, depending on the country of assignment, international UN Volunteers may be required to speak other languages, such as Arabic, French, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and other languages.

JOIN UNV'S GLOBAL TALENT POOL THROUGH OUR UNIFIED VOLUNTEER PLATFORM