Volunteering

Working at the heart of communities, volunteering empowers change from the grassroots up, building strong partnerships at every level. It also helps volunteers to develop their skills, make contacts for possible employment, socialise and have fun.
The UN Volunteers Programme
Every year, up to 8,000 qualified and experienced women and men of some 160 different nationalities volunteer with the UN for 6 months or more. The programme is coordinated by UN Volunteers (UNV). 
You should meet the following criteria before registering in the UNV database:

• A university degree or higher technical diploma
• A minimum of two years of working experience
• Good working knowledge in at least one of the three UNV working languages: English, French and Spanish.

In addition, you should be able to demonstrate:

• A strong commitment to the values and principles of volunteerism
• The ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
• The ability to adjust to difficult living conditions
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Prior volunteering and/or working experience in a developing country is an asset.

Minimum age for UN volunteers is 25. There is no upper age limit

For further information about how to become an online volunteer and about the UNV Online Volunteering service, visit the Online Volunteering service website.

Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO)

The FAO is actively seeking volunteers to work in its worldwide offices in various capacities. Find out more information on the FAO website 

Other resourcesThe World Volunteer Web supports the volunteer community by serving as a global clearinghouse for information and resources that can be used for campaigning, advocacy and networking. It is an online hub where the community can meet, share resources and coordinate activities to mobilize volunteer action in support of the Millennium Development Goals.

World Service Enquiry provides information and career advice to people who want to volunteer or work in international development.

Students can also gain experience through volunteering, taking time out from university through Projects Abroad.