5 Questions about UN Volunteers you always wanted to ask

Atnaujinta Penktadienis, 31/07/2026

Ever thought about becoming a UN Volunteer but had questions and no one to ask? Here are the 5 questions you always wanted to ask!

1. “How do I become a UN Volunteer?”

It’s the question we get asked the most! The short answer is: there is more than one way in. UN Volunteer opportunities are designed for almost every stage of life, whether you are a student, a recent graduate, a mid-career professional, or ready to share years of expertise.

Anyone between the ages of 18 and 80 can apply. Depending on availability, assignments can be full-time, part-time, or even remote, in your home country (national volunteers) or abroad (international volunteers).

2. “What if I don't have a lot of experience yet?”

We have categories designed specifically for wherever you are in your career journey:

• Associate: Perfect for recent grads and early-career professionals. You only need 1 month of experience and a lot of motivation!
• Specialist: Put your skills to the test! This is for professionals with at least 3 years of experience.
• Expert: For highly experienced professionals (7+ years) bringing deep knowledge to complex projects.

3. “Real talk: How do I pay my rent?”

We know you can't live on passion alone! When you dedicate your time to us, we make sure you are well supported. UN Volunteers receive:

• Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): A monthly stipend to cover your basic living expenses like rent, food, and transport.
• Travel and relocation: If you go abroad, we cover your flights and provide a settling-in grant.
• Comprehensive medical and life insurance coverage.
• Paid Time Off: You get annual leave, plus sick and parental leave.
• Career Growth: Access to learning resources and a global network of UN experts.

4. “I’m a full-time student/worker. Can I still help?”

Absolutely. If your schedule is busy, Online Volunteering is the option for you.

These are flexible, task-based assignments that only take a few hours a week. You can design, translate, write, or research right from your couch.

(Note: Online Volunteers are not contracted, and don't receive the monthly stipend, but it is a great way to build your CV, network with UN professionals, and earn an official certificate!)

5. "How do I make my profile stand out to recruiters?"

Since the UNV talent pool is highly competitive, a half-baked profile won’t cut it. Here are the quick rules to make your profile shine:

• No corporate jargon or acronyms: Don't say "Managed the PMO for the ER team." Instead, spell it out: "Managed the Project Management Office for the External Relations team." Recruiters and search filters need to understand exactly what you did.
• Custom-make your CV: Don't just list job titles. Describe what you were busy with. Did you support youth, organise local events, or work with local communities? Say so explicitly!
• Don’t spam apply: It’s tempting to apply to everything, but this won’t be successful. Find the ones where you fully meet all mandatory requirements and make those count. Apply smarter, not massively!

Ready to take the first step? Visit the website, set up your candidate profile, and explore available opportunities worldwide.