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United Nation Volunteering Program 2026 (Apply Now)
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN’s flagship mechanism for mobilizing skilled volunteers around the world. Volunteers support peacebuilding, humanitarian response, climate action, education, health, human rights, governance, and sustainable development initiatives.
UNV empowers people to contribute their time, talent, and energy toward solving global challenges while gaining invaluable personal and professional experience.
Types of UN Volunteer Opportunities
The UNV Programme offers several pathways to participate, depending on your background, location, and availability:
1. International UN Volunteers
Serve in a country outside your own, supporting UN agencies on development or humanitarian projects. Assignments may last from several months to a few years.
2. National UN Volunteers
Volunteer within your own country to support national development plans, community initiatives, or locally hosted UN programmes.
3. Online UN Volunteers
Contribute remotely from anywhere in the world. Tasks include writing, research, translation, digital design, data analysis, project support, and more. This option is highly flexible and open to individuals who cannot travel.
Who Can Become a UN Volunteer?
Basic eligibility includes:
- Minimum age of 18 years
- Commitment to volunteer values such as solidarity, service, humility, and cultural respect
- Openness to working in diverse or challenging environments
- Ability to contribute skills in fields such as social sciences, education, health, data, IT, communications, environment, public administration, humanitarian aid, and more
For specialized roles, relevant education and experience may be required. Many national and online roles accept volunteers with varied backgrounds — making the programme accessible to a wide audience.
There is no maximum age limit, and volunteers come from all regions of the world.
Areas of Work for UN Volunteers
Volunteers support a broad range of UN initiatives, including:
- Humanitarian aid & disaster response
- Peacebuilding and conflict recovery
- Refugee support and community protection
- Climate action, environment & sustainable development
- Education, youth empowerment & gender equality
- Public health, nutrition & community wellbeing
- Governance, human rights & rule of law
- Research, monitoring & evaluation
- Data science, digital innovation & information management
- Communications, media & public outreach
Because UNV works with nearly all UN agencies, assignment fields are extremely diverse.
What You Gain as a UN Volunteer
Volunteering with the United Nations offers:
Meaningful Global Impact
Directly contribute to protecting lives, supporting vulnerable communities, and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.
Professional Development
Build practical experience in humanitarian or development work, learn from experts, and enhance your CV with UN experience.
Cross-Cultural Immersion
Work with international colleagues, learn new languages, and interact with diverse communities.
Networking Opportunities
Form global connections with UN staff, partner organizations, and fellow volunteers — beneficial for future careers.
Flexible Options
With international, national, and online roles, volunteers can choose the format that best fits their situation.
How to Get Started as a UN Volunteer
Here is the typical process:
- Create a volunteer profile in the UNV talent pool.
- Fill in your education, skills, languages, and preferences.
- Search for suitable volunteer assignments or wait for matching opportunities.
- Submit applications for roles that fit your background.
- Prepare for interviews or additional screening for certain assignments.
- Once selected, complete onboarding and training before deployment.
For online volunteering, the process is usually quicker: apply directly to tasks and begin collaborating remotely with UN teams.
Why UNV Is an Excellent Opportunity for Young People
For students, recent graduates, and young professionals, UNV offers:
- Experience working with international organizations
- Exposure to real development and humanitarian projects
- Career pathways into the UN system or NGOs
- Growth in leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving
- A platform to make a difference from anywhere in the world
It is one of the most accessible entry points into global development work.
The United Nations Volunteer Programme is a powerful avenue for individuals who want to create positive change globally. Whether through on-the-ground assignments or virtual support, UNV provides meaningful opportunities to serve humanity while advancing your personal and professional goals.
Specifications
| Type of Opportunity | Exchange Programs |
|---|---|
| Deadline | Ongoing |
| Open to | All Nationalities |