United Nations Volunteers
© UNHCR Angola
Omotola Akindipe, serving as a UN Volunteer Associate Reporting Officer for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Angola, takes time to speak with us about his volunteer assignment.
On the occasion of International Volunteer Day (IVD) 2019, the theme being ‘Volunteer for an Inclusive Future’, Tola explains how volunteerism and inclusion go hand in hand.
Volunteers provide critical support to help UNHCR deliver on its mandate. They work in a variety of roles ranging from protection, refugee status determination, programme delivery, communication, information technology to administrative functions and more.
Every year, around 900 UN Volunteers support UNHCR in some 70 countries. Volunteering at UNHCR is a great chance to contribute to your local or host community and to gain work experience in the humanitarian sector.
Contracts are usually for 6-12 months, with a maximum period of four years.
Success stories
Renewing hope: UN Volunteers supporting UNHCR's work for refugees in the Arab States
Eligibility
- If you are at least 25-years-old and interested in serving outside your home country, you can become an International UN Volunteer. You must have a university degree, and a minimum of two years relevant working experience
- If you are at least 22-years-old and would like to volunteer in your home country, please check out the local UNDP/UNV website for National UN Volunteer options.
Current opportunities
How to apply
If you would like to support UNHCR from anywhere in the world, please look online for UN Volunteering opportunities.
Please register on UNV’s website and you will be contacted if a suitable assignment is available.
What are the benefits of volunteering?
Volunteering at UNHCR is a great chance to contribute to your local or host community and to gain work experience in international organizations which may open the door for a career in the humanitarian sector.
“I’m very pleased with my assignment with UNHCR as a volunteer in Gao. It has allowed me to benefit from the experience of peacebuilding through the project. It is a rewarding experience – both professionally and personally.”
-Deoulemgoto Ndouba, UN volunteer for UNHCR, in Gao, Mali.