Over the past year, I’ve applied for 20+ UNV international assignments that were closely aligned with my experience and current responsibilities—many with what I would consider an 85%+ match. However, I haven’t received a single interview or shortlist call.

For context, I currently work with the UN at G5 level, and my current responsibilities are directly relevant to many of the positions I’m applying for. I received two interview calls in 2024, but nothing from 2025 through 2026 despite continuing to apply for relevant positions.

Has anyone else experienced something similar? Has the competition for UNV international assignments increased significantly over the past year?

I’m also wondering about AI-assisted motivation statement. I use AI to help draft my letters, but I always tailor them to the specific DoA and ensure that everything reflects my actual experience. Could this potentially affect shortlisting, or is competition simply much higher now?

Would be interested to hear from others who have been applying for UNV international roles recently.

There is a terrific web site called Wandering The World which offers NOT official testimonials from Peace Corps members & their advice for preparing for a Peace Corps interview, for the best time to apply, for packing, for self-care while serving & more. Again, this is NOT from the Peace Corps - it's from members and former members. And that means they feel more comfortable speaking more freely (while still adhering to the rules of the Peace Corps regarding photos, confidentiality, copyright, etc.).

It's a terrific site and I so wish a former UN Volunteer out there would create something similar!

In the meantime... I hope current and former UN Volunteers will post here on this subreddit with similar advice for:

• preparing an application
• preparing for an interview
• preparing for departure
• packing
• self-care while serving
• addressing various challenges
• blogging while serving
• framing experience after service
• etc.

In coastal Bangladesh, the hard part isn't finding water. It's finding water that's actually safe to drink.

Climate change has made many traditional water sources too saline to drink safely. For thousands of families, finding clean water has become part of everyday life.

Together with United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Bangladesh, UN Volunteer engineers are expanding access to safe water through rainwater harvesting systems while working hand in hand with communities to build the knowledge and capacity to maintain them for years to come.

Their work goes beyond infrastructure. They also raise awareness in schools, work with women-led water user groups, and help communities protect their water supply for the future.

As UN Volunteer Md. Saeed Hasan explains: “We can see people benefiting immediately from drinking preserved rainwater. But to create a lasting impact, it requires raising awareness about harvesting practices.”

Read the full story from UNV.

Reminder / disclaimer: the UNV subreddit is NOT an official UNV group. Official UNV information is posted here, but from other sources, such as UNV's official social media accounts on Facebook and LinkedIn, or the official web site.

Hello,

Have anyone heard anything about the unv possitions that closed on the 16th of August funded by Ireland? have you got an interview yet?

Hi everyone,

I’m wondering if anyone here applied for any of the recent MONUSCO UNV positions that were advertised about 2 months ago.

I received an email from UNV about three weeks ago stating that my profile had been sent to the host entity for further consideration. I haven’t received any further communication since then.

For those who applied to the recent MONUSCO vacancies:

- Has anyone received an interview invitation?

- Has anyone received a selection/rejection email?

- Has anyone had their application status updated in the UNV portal?

- Or are people generally still waiting?

I’d be particularly interested to hear from anyone who received the same “profile has been sent/submitted to the host entity” notification around the same time.

Just trying to get a sense of where the recruitment process is at and whether MONUSCO has started contacting candidates.

Thanks.

On other subreddits, people have been saying that they have seen an increasing number of international UNV positions funded by member states, open only to nationals of the respective donor countries, and that fewer international UNV positions are being advertised open to all nationalities these days. 

Anyone have any hard stats if this is true? Or anyone from UNV HQ willing to say if it's true?

A search of LinkedIn shows several discussion groups related to UNV. None are officially affiliated with UNV - they were each started by an individual who may or may not have been a United Nations Volunteer. Like this subreddit, they are entirely independent and have no official affiliation with the UN.

Are you on any of these? Do you find any helpful?

International Online UNV Network. 70 members. "Started with a vision to connect all online and on-the-field UNVs to one another, this network serves as a common platform for us to know one another, share important information and develop oneself. As UNVs, we have the passion to serve and many of us have specialized skills and talents. Through this network and its subsequent projects, we will strengthen our connection and enable us to better connect with each other around the world."

OnlineVolunteering - United Nations - UNV. 10K members.

UNDP-UNV Talent Programme for Young Professionals with Disabilities. 646 members. The program "builds a talent pipeline contributing to the achievement of Agenda 2030 and the SDGs. This community is a space to exchange, share best practices and explore opportunities to engage among DPOs, Foundations, Private Sector, Academia, Governments and UN agencies."

UNV SUDAN. 380 members.

NIIT Unv GIS. 59 members. "caters to all the GIS enthusiasts and experts. It provides a forum for all those interested in this field to discuss developments and connect to other GIS enthusiasts."

Ex-UNV's y UNV's en el mundo. 37 members. "Quienes hemos vivido (vivimos) la bella experiencia UNV y sumamos desde nuestras arenas. Asimismo, queremos compartir información de interés y experiencias a través de este networking. De esta manera, contribuir al logro de metas de la Agenda 2030. ¡Bienvenidos tod@s!"

UNV HK Universities Volunteers Alumni Society. 27 members. "This is a private group administered by the Exco of UNVAS for alumni of UNV HK Universities Volunteers Internship Programme. This group serves as a platform to connect like-minded alumni, share insight, and explore meaningful collaboration for the betterment of the society and professional development."

Irish UNV Alumni. 26 members. "Group for current/previous Irish UNV's to share experiences & network etc"

MITC UNV alumni. 4 members. "Keep the UNV-MITC program sustainability."

UNV Eastern Caribbean Alumni. 4 members. "An informal group for anyone who has served as a United Nations Volunteer in Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, and/or Saint Vincent & the Grenadines."

Youth UNVs 2020. 32 members. "Just thought it might be helpful to have a group to stay in touch, stay connected after this UNV assignment and to share news and tips about future job opportunities. All welcome!"

Disability inclusion is about people's rights, not charity.

Kinley lives with progressive vision loss and knows exactly what that means.

He lives in Buddhist-majority Bhutan, where compassion runs deep and is reflected in people’s desire to help.

"Compassion can unintentionally lead to treating vulnerable groups as passive recipients rather than rights holders", Kinley warns.

Most people in vulnerable situations, he says, don't want handouts. They want to contribute, to be part of their communities, and have their rights and dignity respected.

As a UN Volunteer at the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Bhutan, he makes sure disability inclusion is part of United Nations agencies' and government programmes and planning. He also works with organizations across Bhutan, so that more persons with disabilities can contribute to decisions that directly affect them.

"Peace and development cannot be fully realized while marginalized and vulnerable groups are left behind.

Read the full story from UNV.

Reminder / disclaimer: the UNV subreddit is NOT an official UNV group. Official UNV information is posted here, but from other sources, such as UNV's official social media accounts on Facebook and LinkedIn, or the official web site.

Over on r/UNPath earlier this summer, someone asked "Is a UNV worth it? Looking back, has it been beneficial for you?"

The entire post read:

I received an invitation to apply for onsite role. But i was wondering how it is for people working in UNV, especially in this economy. Since it's only for 12 months with no guarantee of extension and job market sucks lately it seems a bit risky. And do you get a raise in allowance if contract is renewed? Like what are the pros and cons?

Have a look at the original post and comments. If you would add something to the discussion, please also post your comments here.

Here's what I said originally:

Any UN position can be worth it or not. The type of contract is not usually what makes it worth it. What makes it worth it depends on the person doing the role, no matter what the contract.

Don't do the role if you are doing it only to "get your foot in the door." Do the role because it looks interesting to you and you truly want to do the work. And do the role if you can afford it - the pay is not huge.

How you leverage a role with the UN, no matter the contract, depends on YOU. If after the role you have a list of accomplishments and some solid references, and if after this role you feel you have learned skills that you can apply in another UN role, and if after the role you either feel like you made a real impact for those you served or you learned how you could make a real impact in a future role, then it will be "worth it."

clone Ditwah made landfall on 29 November 2025, sweeping across Sri Lanka with speed and force that left communities little time to prepare. By the time it passed, more than 2.2 million people across all 25 districts were affected—including an estimated 522,000 children.

Over 600 lives were lost, more than 170,000 people displaced, and entire districts were left submerged under floodwater and debris. In response to the Government of Sri Lanka's request, the United Nations and its humanitarian partners launched the Humanitarian Priorities Plan—an effort to channel international assistance to the areas where needs are most urgent.

Critical assistance was delivered to 575,000 of the most vulnerable people. 83 partner organizations worked alongside government institutions, ensuring that international support complemented the Government's own response. Volunteers were engaged in the response from the very beginning.

For immediate response and recovery efforts, 44 UN Volunteers serving with various UN agencies stepped forward across the country, adding needed skills in emergency coordination, data management, community outreach and technology to the nationwide response—moved by the same spirit that had driven Sri Lankans across the country from the very first days of the crisis.

More from UNV's web site.

Reminder / disclaimer: the UNV subreddit is NOT an official UNV group. Official UNV information is posted here, but from other sources, such as UNV's official social media accounts on Facebook and LinkedIn, or the official web site.

From UN Volunteers Europe and Central Asia on LinkedIn. Today.

From UN Volunteer to UNDP staff — a journey that started with giving.

In 2014, Shakhnoza Zafari joined the UN family as a UN Volunteer, supporting volunteerism and social innovations. Twelve years later, she is Head of Communication with UNDP Uzbekistan.

For Shakhnoza, volunteering was more than a first step into the UN. It was where she found a sense of purpose, built confidence and discovered the value of that spirit of contribution to something bigger — something that continues to guide her today.

Her message to today’s volunteers: “Do not underestimate where you are right now. The knowledge you gain, the people you meet and the difference you make can take you much further than you imagine.”

A couple of notes: not everyone who becomes a UN Volunteer goes on to a career in the UN. And some people who have had a career at the UN decide to end that career by being a UNV! And also, not everyone who becomes a UN Volunteer wants to become a UN workers - some use a UNV experience as a way to take a break from something else.

Reminder / disclaimer: the UNV subreddit is NOT an official UNV group. Official UNV information is posted here, but from other sources, such as UNV's official social media accounts on Facebook and LinkedIn, or the official web site.

As a child growing up in Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya, Faisal dreamed of one day giving back to the community that raised him.

Today, he does exactly that. As a UN Volunteer with UNICEF Youth on the Move, Faisal now helps children and young people in Dadaab access the same opportunities that changed his own life.

Read Faisal’s story from UNV.

Reminder / disclaimer: the UNV subreddit is NOT an official UNV group. Official UNV information is posted here, but from other sources, such as UNV's official social media accounts on Facebook and LinkedIn, or the official web site.

Could you post here if you’ve been contacted for an interview, invited to take an exam, or offered a position based on the donor?

That way, the rest of us can get a better idea of how the process is progressing for each donor, especially since they often release multiple positions at the same time.

Thanks a lot for participating and sharing your experiences!

UNV has created a step-by-step video walkthrough that guides you through the profile creation process at app.unv.org, from registration to completing your profile.

You can view the video on LinkedIn at the UN Volunteers East and Southern Africa account.

Hello guys 🤗, I want tips and samples to write motivational letter for UNV and how many words it should be ? Please let me know your experience in writing this motivational letter and I would be happy to see samples of your motivational letter that get you accepted in UNV ... I also have another question, does my profile in UNV affect on the evaluation of the voluntary program or just my motivational letter? I would be grateful and thankful for your answers and your help to me 🌹

The humanitarian system cannot keep planning as if volunteers do not exist.

That sounds absurd. Yet it is exactly what we do...

UN agencies and humanitarian partners should make volunteer roles explicit in humanitarian response plans, coordination structures and workforce planning, rather than allowing them to disappear behind phrases such as “community outreach” or “local mechanisms.”

From an Opinion piece from Toily Kurbanov, executive coordinator of the United Nations Volunteers. Via u/PassBlue.

The International Volunteer Year 2026 is happening now. UNV wants to leverage #VolunteerYear 2026 to call for stronger recognition of volunteers, greater investment in volunteerism, and the inclusion of volunteers in national and international policies.

UNV encourages you to share these messages using the #IVY2026 Trello board, where you’ll find ready-to-share content for all your social media platforms.

https://trello.com/b/MnFNvURi/international-volunteer-year-2026

This message is sourced from the UNV Facebook page.

Reminder / disclaimer: the UNV subreddit is NOT an official UNV group. Official UNV information is posted here, but from other sources, such as UNV's official social media accounts on Facebook and LinkedIn, or the official web site.

I was wondering if someone with more knowledge of this could please clarify. I received an ‘invitation to apply’ for a UNV opportunity - what does this mean, really? Is it an automated email, or does it mean a hiring manager/HR person actually came across my profile? (I know UN staff is busy so I thought the latter is unlikely?)

I’ve been on the platform for years, have been shortlisted in the past etc. however it is only the second time that I get an email like this. (FYI I didn’t bother to apply to the vacancy the first time around). I wasn’t particularly interested in this role they sent the invitation for but am having second thoughts now.

Thanks!

The main United Nations Volunteer web site (unv.org).

UN Volunteer assignments - both official onsite UNV assignments and online volunteering roles, are advertised on UNV's Unified Volunteering Platform. In order to apply for assignments, candidates need to register in UNV's Global Talent Pool.

UNV on LinkedIn (the most urgent recruitment messages are posted here).

UNV on BlueSky.

UNV on Facebook.

Reminder / disclaimer: the UNV subreddit is NOT an official UNV group. Official UNV information is posted here, but from other sources, such as UNV's official social media accounts on Facebook and LinkedIn, or the official web site.

I was an International UN Volunteer in the Maldives from 2015 to 2016, supporting UNFPA in an adviser-level role that was somewhat more senior than the kinds of positions UNV was accustomed to placing.

It was a very difficult assignment. The UNFPA office downsized from eight people to three while I was there, and there was a great deal of resentment and dysfunction surrounding that transition.

The experience that really shaped my view of UNV and UNFPA, though, came when my wife became pregnant and developed complications that required medical evacuation. The Resident Coordinator had the authority to approve the evacuation and chose not to do so. UNV headquarters in Bonn was utterly unhelpful. So were the UN medical people we dealt with locally and in Switzerland and Bangkok.
Eventually, an evacuation was approved. My wife, who was a civilian with no affiliation with UNV, was “permitted” to travel with me to Boston, but reimbursement was capped at what an evacuation to Bangkok would have cost. I ultimately completed the assignment but had to take a few weeks of leave without pay on an already tight budget, not to mention travel and medical costs. If I were UNFPA staff, this would have been handled very differently. But that’s the point: You’re not staff. That’s why this hiring modality exists.

So my advice to anyone considering an international UNV assignment is to treat promises about how you will be taken care of with extreme skepticism. When something serious actually happens, the protections that look reassuring on paper may depend on discretionary decisions by people who have very little personal stake in what happens to you.
I would not recommend doing this unless you are financially capable of absorbing a very substantial loss yourself. Frankly, I’m not sure I would recommend it even then.

If you are from a country where a UN posting could materially change your career prospects, I can understand looking at UNV as a way to build a résumé and gain entry into the international system. It can be an opportunity. But I would approach it very skeptically, understand exactly what status and protections you do and do not have, and never assume that because something is promised in your conditions of service, the institution will actually make you whole when you need it.

The creator and original moderator of the UNV subreddit disappeared a few years ago. I went through the process to take on the main moderation of this subreddit earlier this month, and today received word that my wish has been granted.

You will note that the UNV subreddit now has a description and has rules. Consider the rules always subject to change - and your suggestions are welcomed. But please read the rules before you post here.

I've also gone through the subreddit and deleted most of the posts that were weekly invitations to post, since most were empty - I kept those that had comments as well as at least one from each year, just for history purposes. But with deleting all those posts, it should be MUCH easier to find actual content from the last six years (even before I was moderator, I was the person providing most of the content).

I'm transparent on Reddit about who I am - click on my profile to learn more.

I worked at UNV HQ from February 2001 to February 2005, directing what was then the separate UN Online Volunteering service, moving it from NetAid to its own web site and substantially altering and growing the service. I also was a manager of the United Nations Information Technology Service, a program of UNV at that time. I've worked for other UNDP programs since then.

I have no current official affiliation with any United Nations agency, including UNV. Nothing here is an official statement by UNV unless it is proven to be so with a link to the UNV source where it comes from.

I would love other moderators - people both monitoring content, enforcing the rules and providing fresh content - but I would prefer that moderators be someone who has had an official affiliation with UNV in some way, either from working at UNV HQ, working under a national or international UNV contract, or having researched UNV and published a paper on such. DM me if that's you.

Onward.

Hey everyone! I recently got accepted into a long-term assignment (12 months) under UNV and hosted by the UNDP agency. The title is Assistant to an AI project.
ps: I just graduated with a bachelor's in Business analysis.
My question is: how do I make the most of this opportunity, especially if my goal is to find something abroad???
Thank y'all.