UNV recruits national volunteers for assignments with UN host entities in their country of nationality or legal residence. Roles range from community-level work to specialist functions and may be office-based or remote.
Each Description of Assignment defines the duties, location, education, experience and language requirements. Openings are published continuously on the Unified Volunteering Platform, so there is no programme-wide deadline.
Benefits & funding
- UN Volunteers receive a monthly Volunteer Living Allowance for support rather than salary; the national rate depends on the country and assignment category.
- Depending on the category and work arrangement, the package may include entry or exit lump sums, approved travel support, insurance and leave; the offer states the exact benefits.
- Assignments run for at least one month and no more than 48 months.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be 18 to 80 when service begins, although UNV may apply case-specific age limits for insurance or safety reasons.
- A national volunteer must be a national or legal resident of the assignment country; refugees and stateless people with legal status there may also serve.
- Experience depends on category: none for Community, at least one month for Associate, three years for Specialist and seven years for Expert.
- Education and technical requirements vary by assignment; published guidance spans high-school-level community roles through higher technical diploma, Bachelor’s and Master’s requirements.
- Applicants need effective communication in one or more local languages and in the UN working language used in the country.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
High School · Bachelor · Master
Age requirement
18–80 yrs
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Create an account on the Unified Volunteering Platform and verify it with the numeric code sent by email.
- 2Complete and submit the profile with skills, education and experience.
- 3Browse Descriptions of Assignment and submit the short application for roles matching the profile.
- 4If shortlisted, complete the competitive interview and any medical, government, security or training clearances required in the offer.
Program timeline
Rolling
National UN Volunteer assignments are published regularly.
Assignment-specific
Each Description of Assignment sets its own deadline and service dates.
After selection
The offer confirms duration, benefits and required clearances before service begins.