United Nations in Uzbekistan - United Nations Volunteers

United Nations Volunteers

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide.

Volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tackling development challenges, and it can transform the pace and nature of development. Volunteerism benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation.

UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for recognition of volunteers, working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing an increasing number and diversity of volunteers, including experienced UN Volunteers, throughout the world. UNV embraces volunteerism as universal and inclusive, and recognizes volunteerism in its diversity as well as the values that sustain it: free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity.

Based in Bonn, Germany, UNV is active in around 130 countries every year. UNV, with Field Units in 86 countries, is represented worldwide through the offices of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and reports to the UNDP Executive Board.

UNV MISSION IN UZBEKISTAN

UN Volunteers (UNV) established its presence in the country shortly after Uzbekistan’s independence in 1993. Since then, theUNVProgram has developed partnership with different UN agencies, the government and civil society organizations. In the beginning, there was high level of activities with up to 30 UN volunteers at its highest. This has gradually decreased over the years though there was a rise in number of volunteers recently. The City of Bonn supported a national UN volunteer at the University of Bukhara up until October 2007, and UNHCR also had some national UN volunteers until UNHCR was expelled from the country in 2006. So far, more than 70 internationalUNVvolunteers (IUNV) and 20 nationalUNVvolunteers (NUNV) have served and contributed to technical cooperation in the country.

In the year 2011, 7 international UNVs and 12 national UNVs served in Uzbekistan.

VOLUNTEERISM FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT

UNV in Uzbekistan has successfully integrated volunteerism into various development projects, and has out carried numerous community based initiatives to make a difference and improve people’s livelihood. UNV’s main areas of work and recent projects are as follows:

Promoting Volunteerism

The concept of volunteerism is not seen as something native to the culture – thus, promotion and facilitation of volunteerism is considered as an important area of work in UNV Uzbekistan. In order to do so, UNV recently collaborated with Mr. Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbek referee who has been named the Best Referee in Asia in three consecutive years of 2008, 2009 and 2010, and was selected to officiate as a referee for the 2010 FIFA World Cup). Mr. Irmatov will be featured in a short advertisement to promote volunteering for the MDGs using football analogy of “These are our Goals” which will be broadcasted on national television and radio. UNV hopes this campaign will merge the physically healthy appeal of sports with the altruistic nature of volunteerism and press that image into the minds of the viewers.

Youth Engagement

Around 60% of the Uzbekistan population is under 30, implying that UNV should focus on harnessing the potential of the youth.

Youth Camp - In 2011 UNV partnered with “Kelajak ovozi” (Voice of the future), the largest youth NGO in Uzbekistan, in organizing their annual Summer Training Camp. The camp included 500 youth participants from all over Uzbekistan who were divided into groups with various themes. Their activities were dedicated to activities and workshops on volunteerism and promoting a volunteer sprit throughout the entire camp, including charity drives, volunteer initiatives, and raising awareness of IYV+10. Throughout the activity, UNV facilitated the learning of interplay between volunteerism and human development.

Mini Grants - Moreover, UNV provided support in engaging the youth population into the development dialogue by funding small grants to innovative volunteering projects that aim to advocate volunteerism and civic action in Uzbekistan. The project has already engaged a broad spectrum of youth in an open small grant competition, and has funded four projects in cities of Navoi, Ferghana, Bukhara, and Samarkand. These youth driven volunteer projects address important topics related to human development, and all of these projects were run and managed by youth volunteers.

Mini-Grant Success Stories

Lyuli Project Bukhara – Only development project working with the Lyuli population who are marginalized and discriminated against. (see video at http://vimeo.com/32312321)
Youth Theater Samarkand – Reaching a large audience of youth on International Volunteerism Day in a conservative part of Uzbekistan to speak about HIV/AIDS, young marriage, gender, and other youth problems
Ferghana EcoBoom – Volunteer group trained youth on environment, ecology, and climate change in a highly polluted section of the country, raising awareness through creative ideas (see recent flash mob at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBaH9clSQ3c&feature=g-upl&context=G24f4775AUAAAAAAAAAA)
Navoi NGO Leadership – Awareness-raising of civic engagement

Democratic Governance

In 2010, UNV integrated national UN volunteers in six UNDP human rights resource centers in order to set up a volunteer network in Andijan, Ferghana, Navoi, Surkhandarya, Jizzakh, and Horezm regions and volunteers center in Tashkent. These volunteers receive trainings on IT skills, community leadership, public speaking, debating and others skills that were intended to foster the next generation of community leaders. Many of the participants from these trainings are now active in the Y-PEER volunteer network and/or involved with UNV through the mini-grant initiative and as active members of our Facebook page. (Go to the bottom of this page to find our facebook link)

Poverty Reduction & Sustainable Development

The UNDP/UNV Project “Empowering Communities through Local Volunteerism to Address Tuberculosis and Poverty in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan” was the first in Uzbekistan and somewhat unique around the world in the fight against tuberculosis. UNV was actively involved in the process the main implementing agency in collaboration with the UNDP, WHO, national and local authorities, local civil society and the indigenous volunteer group, the Mahalla Foundation.

The project aimed to raise awareness in areas that were suffering from the highest rates of TBs and to reduce discrimination among general public through mass mobilization of community volunteers. UNV made a distinctive contribution by engaging in the mobilization and training of more than 3,000 local volunteers. The project has been a success, as shown in the midterm assessment pointing out that it has resulted in an increased awareness and knowledge of TB in general. For World Tuberculosis Day, UNV premiered a movie at a widely attended event in Nukus, Karakalpakstan highlighting the contribution volunteers made in fighting tuberculosis.

Legal Rights

UNV engaged with a UNDP supported legal clinic in Tashkent which uses pro bono legal clinicians to provide free legal advice to underprivileged citizens to help residents obtain the legal advice and support they require. While a number of legal centres are currently operating in the city, staffed by volunteer law students with the support of the UNDP and their academic institutions, these services lack the resources and techniques needed to deal with the enormous number of clients that seek their support. The website, created UNV and run by local staff, was designed to better process the individuals seeking legal aid while offering basic information designed to limit the number of clients requiring appointments.

Mobilization of Volunteers

UNV is currently focusing its mobilization efforts on online capacity building. Although Uzbekistan has relatively low internet penetration, most major cities boast numerous and easily accessible internet cafes. This, combined with a huge young population, renders a great potential in online portals.

As of the 2012 January, UN Volunteers in Uzbekistan is “liked” by 406 people after having been launched in December 2010. A similar version of the page is also hosted by the Russian social networking site Odnoklassniki, which has a higher user rate in Uzbekistan. UNV expects the Facebook page and Odnoklassniki sites to reach numerous users and countless more accessing the page to stay abreast of programme updates and upcoming events.

CONTACT INFORMATION

41/3 Mirabad St.

Tashkent 100015, Uzbekistan

Tel       + 998 (71) 120-34-50 (ext. 102)
Fax       + 998 (71) 120-34-85
Email    santeri.eriksson@undp.org

Web www.unv.org/

www.facebook.com/UNVolunteersinUzbekistan

UN VOLUNTEER FAQ

1. ABOUT UNV

What is UNV?
What is UNV's mission?
Who is in charge?
Who are the UN Volunteers?
What do they do?
In which sectors do they work?
Where are they working?
How does the programme operate
How is it funded?

2. ABOUT UNV´S WEBSITES

I want to learn more about the UNV programme, what UN Volunteers do in the field and the volunteer recruitment policies.
I wish to start registering in the UNV database of candidates
I have not yet completed my registration, i.e. I have not provided any detailed information on my educational qualification and work experiences.
I have completed both parts of the registration process and wish to update my profile and availability for UNV assignments.
I would like to know more about resources linked to volunteerism that can be used for campaigning, advocacy and networking
I want to volunteer over the Internet to provide online support to grassroot organizations, international NGOs, governments and United Nations agencies

3. ABOUT HOW TO VOLUNTEER

a. I need information before registering

Am I eligible to be a UN Volunteer?
Is there an age limit for UN Volunteers?
I am not yet 25 but I am very motivated. Can I contribute to your programme?
Can I volunteer during my holidays?
How do I register to become a UN Volunteer?
How can I make sure that I receive your emails?
How long does it take to complete the web-based UNV registration form?
Will I be asked to upload my CV during the registration process?
Should I submit my registration in all the languages I am fluent in?
Are UN Volunteers staff of the United Nations?
Do UN Volunteers receive any financial and/or other benefits?
How long does it take to be assigned as a UN Volunteer?
How long are UNV assignments?
Where do I find the list of available UNV assignments?
Can I serve together with my partner?
Can I be accompanied by my family?
Can I indicate the developing country where I wish to serve?
Can I volunteer in my own country?

b. I have started registering and have questions

Should I register in all the languages I am fluent in?
What format should I use to type telephone numbers in the registration form?
In the first part of the registration form I am asked to choose a code if I am responding to a specific vacancy announcement or recruitment drive. I am not sure what code to choose, where can I get it?
In the first part of the registration form I don't understand the difference between 'profession' and 'position' on "Your Expertise" page? Is this like a wish list?
I received a message asking me to confirm my email address. How should I do it?
My password to continue the registration does not work, what should I do?
I can't log into myprofile.unv.org, what should I do?
In the second part of the registration form, on the "Educational Qualifications" page, should I indicate all the certificates I have obtained from courses I have attended?
In the second part of the registration form, on the "Professional Experiences" page, should I indicate whether I worked part time or full time?
How will I know that I have successfully completed my registration?
When will I receive a response to my registration?
I have registered but have not received any response, what should I do?
Should I send my CV in addition to registering online?
Can I register more than once in the UNV database of candidates?
I want to stay informed about any changes related to the UNV database of candidates. What is the best source of information?

c. I have already registered (current or former UN Volunteer)

How can I update my profile at the end or after my UNV assignment?
After I finish my current UNV assignment will I be automatically considered for another one?
I have forgotten my registration number and/or my password, how can I log in to MyProfile?
I served as a national UN Volunteer. Should I register again if I want to serve as an international UN Volunteer?
In the past I could upload my CV or send it by email, where can I send it to now?
How can I stay involved beyond my UNV assignment?

d. I have already registered (never served as UN Volunteer)

How can I update my profile in the UNV database?
I have forgotten my registration number and/or my password, where should I click to get them?
I was contacted/called for a UNV assignment. What happens next?
How often should I confirm my availability for UNV assignments?
What happens if I don't confirm my availability?
What happens if I am temporarily unavailable for UNV assignments?
I was included in the UNV database before, but my profile has since been inactive. Can I re-activate my profile?
How long does it take to be assigned as a UN Volunteer?
Since I have registered in the UNV database, I have not had any news from UNV, why?
Who selects my profile for a UNV assignment?
What is my status in the UNV database of candidates?
As my registration in the database of candidates does not guarantee a UNV assignment, is there any way I can start contributing to peace and development worldwide beyond a UNV assignment?
How long will my profile remain in the UNV database?

4. ABOUT HOW TO ENGAGE VOLUNTEERS

I represent an NGO, a government or a UN agency and we are interested in involving volunteers in our programmes, where should we start?

ANSWERS

1. ABOUT UNV

What is UNV? [go to top]
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide.

Based in Bonn, Germany, UNV is active in around 130 countries. It is represented worldwide through the offices of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and reports to the UNDP Executive Board.

What is UNV's mission? [go to top]
Volunteering brings benefits to both society at large and the individual volunteer. It makes important contributions, economically as well as socially. It contributes to a more cohesive society by building trust and reciprocity among citizens.

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that supports sustainable human development globally through the promotion of volunteerism, including the mobilization of volunteers. It serves the causes of peace and development by enhancing opportunities for participation by all peoples. It is universal, inclusive and embraces volunteer action in all its diversity. It values free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity, which are the foundations of volunteerism.

Who is in charge? [go to top]
Read about the UNV Executive Coordinator, Flavia Pansieri.

Who are UN Volunteers? [go to top]
Some 7,500 qualified and experienced women and men of nearly 160 nationalities serving each year in developing countries as UN Volunteers. UN Volunteers have worked in about 130 countries. According to the Annual Report 2009, nearly 80 per cent are citizens of developing countries while the remaining 20 per cent come from the industrialized world. See the Volunteer Statistics.

What do they do? [go to top]
They work in technical cooperation with governments, with community-based initiatives, in humanitarian relief and rehabilitation and in support of human rights, electoral and peace- building processes. They are professionals who work on a peer basis. They listen and discuss; teach and train; encourage and facilitate. Volunteers also share and exchange ideas, skills and experience.

In which sectors do they work? [go to top]
The UNV programme involves a wide spread of sectors: it maintains a roster covering 115 professional categories. Agriculture, health and education feature prominently, as do human rights promotion, information and communication technology, community development, vocational training, industry and population.

Where are they working? [go to top]
Over the years, they have served in about 130 countries. Today 40 per cent are at work in Africa, 26 per cent in Asia and the Pacific, and 15 per cent in Central and Eastern Europe; the remainder are to be found in the Arab States, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Thirty per cent serve in the world's poorest nations -- the least developed. Half work outside capital cities, frequently in remote towns and villages. This is in response to expressed needs, and it reflects the commitment which volunteers bring. Included here are the field workers serving at the grassroots level in Asia, the Pacific and Africa. These are practitioners with excellent track records in village-level community work; they exchange skills and knowledge among countries of those regions.

How does the programme operate? [go to top]
It works in partnership with governments, UN Agencies, development banks and non-governmental and community-based organizations. The programmes within which UNV specialists serve are usually managed by governments; often there is technical input and supervision from one of the UN system's specialized agencies, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) or from the World Bank. At the request of some governments UNV itself acts as executing agent.

How is it funded? [go to top]
Part of UNV's resources come from country and regional funds provided by UNDP. Other significant sources include the regular programme budgets of UN agencies, contributions from host governments, special purpose grants by donor governments, and the UNV Special Voluntary Fund. Contributions to UNV's Special Voluntary Fund and other funds exceed $17 million annually.

3. ABOUT HOW TO VOLUNTEER

a. I need information before registering

Am I eligible to be a UN Volunteer? [go to top]
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.

Is there an age limit for UN Volunteers? [go to top]
The minimum age for UN volunteers is 25. There is no upper age limit.

I am not yet 25 but I am very motivated. Can I contribute to your programme? [go to top]
You can explore opportunities to become an online volunteer (www.onlinevolunteering.org) and donate your time and skills for peace and development over the internet. Nevertheless, to be an on-site UN Volunteer you have to be at least 25 years of age and have several years of working experience. The United Nations Volunteers programme recruits volunteer specialists to assist governments, UN Agencies, development banks and non-governmental or community-based organizations. Due to the complex nature of UNV assignments, a solid professional record is a must.

Can I volunteer during my holidays? [go to top]
Given that the vast majority of UNV assignments are based on six to twelve month renewable contracts with the expectation that the volunteer serves a year or longer, and due to the fact that the UNV programme is demand-driven, the likelihood that a UNV assignment matches your holiday plans is very low.

How do I register to become a UN Volunteer? [go to top]
You register through our web-based registration form which consists of two parts:
Part 1: You complete a short questionnaire. Upon submission, you receive a message asking you to confirm that you own the email address provided. To do so, click on the link included in the "Confirmation required" email.
Part 2: If you meet UNV's minimum requirements and have successfully confirmed your email address, you receive a login and password to access the full UNV registration form (i.e. information regarding your skills, education and experience).
Submission: Once you have filled in all the required fields, click on the "Submit" button to add your profile to the UNV database of candidates. You then receive an email with your registration number.
Both steps together can take between 30 and 60 minutes depending on the length of your experience and the speed of your internet connection.
Please note that we cannot process registrations received by email and/or postal mail.

How can I make sure that I receive your emails? [go to top]
As some of our correspondence is automatically generated, kindly be aware that several email providers and spam filters redirect our emails to users' Spam/Junk mail folders or even block their receipt. We therefore recommend that you add the following two email addresses to your Contacts or Address Book before you start registering: Ereta(at)unvolunteers(dot)org and Roster(at)unvolunteers(dot)org . To do so, please check the “Help” section of your email account and look for information on “safe senders”, you will then get comprehensive instructions on how to do it.

How long does it take to complete the web-based UNV registration form? [go to top]
Our web-based registration form consists of two parts. Completing both steps can take between 30 and 60 minutes depending on the length of your experience and the speed of your internet connection.
Part 1: A short questionnaire and a message asking you to confirm that you own the email address provided.
Part 2: The full UNV registration form where you can enter detailed information regarding your skills, education and experience.
Submission: Once all the required fields are filled out, clicking on the "Submit" button adds your profile to the UNV database of candidates.

Will I be asked to upload my CV during the registration process? [go to top]
No. However, if you have your electronic CV accessible, you can copy and paste information from your CV into the online registration form.

Should I submit my registration in all the languages I am fluent in? [go to top]
No. You choose only one of the three UNV working languages (English, French or Spanish) for your registration. Please note that registrations in French or Spanish will mainly be considered for UNV assignments in francophone or hispanophone countries respectively. If you have the necessary language skills and would be interested in serving in different regions, we recommend that you submit your registration in English. In the UNV registration form you will be able to indicate all languages you speak, including your mother tongue.

Are UN Volunteers staff of the United Nations? [go to top]
No. UN Volunteers serve for a limited period of time on specific assignments. Their conditions of service differ from those of UN staff. However, UN Volunteers and UN staff share common goals such as supporting peace and development.

Do UN Volunteers receive any financial and/or other benefits? [go to top]
The key benefit of being a UN Volunteer is the personal satisfaction the volunteer assignment brings to you as you make a positive impact on peace and development. However, we support you during your assignment in several ways, e.g. through a monthly volunteer living allowance, annual leave, or medical insurance. For more details go to qualifications and conditions of service.

How long does it take to be assigned as a UN Volunteer? [go to top]
The time between your registration in the database and a possible volunteer opportunity varies greatly. Furthermore, given the demand-driven nature of the UNV programme, registration in our database does not imply a positive assessment of your profile nor guarantee that you will be assigned as a UN Volunteer.

How long are UNV assignments? [go to top]
The vast majority of assignments are based on six to twelve month renewable contracts with the expectation that the UN Volunteer will serve a year or more.

Where do I find the list of available UNV assignments? [go to top]
UNV does not publish a list of available assignments. The majority of UNV assignments are filled by candidates from our database. Therefore, the best way to be considered for a UNV assignment is to register your profile in our database through our web-based registration system.

Can I serve together with my partner? [go to top]
The UNV programme accepts registrations from couples wishing to volunteer together. However, given that we are a demand-driven programme, it is very rare that couples are selected at the same time for the same duty station. In some cases, when a candidate accepts a UNV assignment in a family duty station, his/her legally recognized partner can accompany the UN Volunteer as a dependant. The partner can then look for volunteer opportunities locally, provided the authorities of the host country do not object.

Can I be accompanied by my family? [go to top]
It depends. The status of the duty station and the requirements of the assignment determine whether or not dependants can accompany the UN Volunteer (family or non-family duty station). Factors considered are for example the nature of the assignment, security concerns or the availability of certain services.

Can I indicate the developing country where I wish to serve? [go to top]
No. In your registration, you can mention preferences for developing countries you believe you are more suitable for. However, candidates are identified for UNV assignments primarily based on the best match between their skills and the specific requirements of the assignment.

Can I volunteer in my own country? [go to top]
Yes, for further details on how to serve as national UN Volunteer please contact directly the UNDP office of your country. Another option is to volunteer over the Internet from home through the Online Volunteering service.

b. I have started registering and have questions

Should I register in all the languages I am fluent in? [go to top]
No. You choose only one of the three UNV working languages (English, French or Spanish) for your registration. Please note that registrations in French or Spanish will mainly be considered for UNV assignments in francophone or hispanophone countries respectively. If you have the necessary language skills and would be interested in serving in different regions, we recommend that you register in English. In the UNV registration form you can indicate all languages you speak, including your mother tongue.

What format should I use to type telephone numbers in the registration form? [go to top]
Please indicate the +country code, followed by the area code and telephone number. Example: +49 228 8151999

In the first part of the registration form I am asked to choose a code if I am responding to a specific vacancy announcement or recruitment drive. I am not sure what code to choose, where can I get it? [go to top]
If you do not have a code, you can leave that field blank. It has no impact on your registration. In some cases, the UNV programme seeks additional profiles for a specific area of professional expertise or for projects which require larger numbers of UN Volunteers. The description of the requirements for such assignments are posted on our website or advertised in targeted recruitment drives. In such cases candidates are asked to enter a code in the first part of their registrations for tracking purposes.

In the first part of the registration form I don't understand the difference between 'profession' and 'position' on "Your Expertise" page? Is this like a wish list? [go to top]
Profession and position codes are not wish lists. The profession code(s) you select should cover the areas in which you were trained and where you acquired (most of) your professional experience. Position codes represent generic UNV assignments. You should only select a position code if you already have the necessary skills and competencies required for that type of assignment.

I received a message asking me to confirm my email address. How should I do it? [go to top]
The only way to confirm your email address is through the link provided in the email you have received. You can either click on the link or copy/paste the link into the browser window and hit enter.

My password to continue the registration does not work, what should I do? [go to top]
Our passwords are case sensitive. Therefore we suggest that you copy/paste your password in the appropriate box.

I can't log into myprofile.unv.org, what should I do?
[go to top]
You can log into your profile through this website only if you are a registered candidate, i.e. you have completed both parts of the registration form and have received your Registration Number.

In the second part of the registration form, on the "Educational Qualifications" page, should I indicate all the certificates I have obtained from courses I have attended? [go to top]
No. You only enter information about training or education of more than six months' duration (university or equivalent, technical or vocational training). If you hold any certificates related to advanced IT training, please mention them on the "Computer Experience" page.

In the second part of the registration form, on the "Professional Experiences" page, should I indicate whether I worked part time or full time? [go to top]
Yes, it helps us match your profile with a UNV assignment if you indicate whether the positions you held were full-time, part-time, an internship or volunteer work.

How will I know that I have successfully completed my registration? [go to top]
When you have completed all mandatory fields, you click on the "Registration completed" button. To add your profile to our database, please click on "Submit". Only after that you will receive an email message with your registration number and some practical information on being a registered candidate in the UNV database.

When will I receive a response to my registration? [go to top]
Within 24 hours from registering, you will receive an automatic confirmation of your registration in the UNV database and your personal registration number. However, please note that inclusion in the UNV database does not guarantee that you will be offered a UN Volunteer assignment.

I have registered but have not received any response, what should I do? [go to top]
The UNV registration process consists of two parts:
Part 1: You complete a short questionnaire. Shortly after, you receive the first automated message with a link to confirm your email address.
Part 2: If you meet UNV's minimum requirements, you then receive a second message with your login and password allowing you to complete your registration. Upon submission, you receive a third message confirming that you are registered in the UNV database and providing your registration number.
Please be aware that some email providers and spam filters may redirect our emails to users' junk email folders. Therefore, we suggest that you check your junk email or spam folders.
If you did not receive our first confirmation email, you may have mistyped your email address. In this case, please start the registration process again.

Should I send my CV in addition to registering online? [go to top]
No. We are not processing CVs received by electronic or postal mail anymore. The key source of information in order to identify your profile against possible UNV assignments is your UNV online profile. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you enter all details regarding your skills and experience through our web-based registration form.

Can I register more than once in the UNV database of candidates? [go to top]
No. You should only register once in the UNV database of candidates, any subsequent registrations will be deleted upon receipt. To update your existing registration please visit MyProfile.

I want to stay informed about any changes related to the UNV database of candidates. What is the best source of information? [go to top]
On our website we regularly post the latest news about the UNV programme. As we are constantly working towards improving our system and procedures, we regularly update our Frequently Asked Questions to provide you with the most current information. We strongly advise you to always consult this page whenever you have doubts or questions about UNV's recruitment procedures.

c. I have already registered (current or former UN Volunteer)

How can I update my profile at the end or after my UNV assignment? [go to top]
We have developed a new web-based service called "MyProfile" (http://myprofile.unv.org), which allows you to update your UNV profile. If you do not have your password click on the "Having problems logging in?" button. You can then enter either your registration number or your email address registered in our system. Your password will be emailed to you automatically.

After I finish my current UNV assignment will I be automatically considered for another one? [go to top]
No. If you are interested in serving again as a UN Volunteer, you must activate your profile in the database by indicating your availability through MyProfile. You cannot do so before the end of your current assignment.

I have forgotten my registration number and/or my password, how can I log in to MyProfile? [go to top]
Please visit MyProfile and click on "Having problems logging in?". Your registration number and password will be sent to the email address registered in our database.

I served as a national UN Volunteer. Should I register again if I want to serve as an international UN Volunteer? [go to top]
As a former UN Volunteer, you are advised to maintain and use the registration number you have served with. Your existing profile contains information on your UNV assignments that will be kept permanently in our database. Therefore any new registration will be removed upon receipt.
If you have registered more than once in the UNV database, please write an email to Roster with the word "Duplicate" in the subject line. In the message kindly indicate your full name, date of birth and any other details that might help us locate your profiles in our database.

In the past I could upload my CV or send it by email, where can I send it to now? [go to top]
There is no need to send your electronic CV. Through our newly developed application MyProfile you can update your availability, contact details, professional experience and educational qualifications at any given time. Please note that we are not processing CVs received by electronic or postal mail.

How can I stay involved beyond my UNV assignment? [go to top]
There are many ways for former UN Volunteers to stay in contact with each other, with the UNV programme and more generally with volunteerism for peace and development. Find out about your options by visiting the section dedicated to former UN Volunteers.

d. I have already registered (never served as UN Volunteer)

How can I update my profile in the UNV database? [go to top]
The UNV programme is currently streamlining its database management procedures. In this regard, we are pleased to inform you that we have launched MyProfile, a web-based service that allows you to update your UNV profile. If you do not have your password, click on the "Having problems logging in" button. You will be asked to enter the email address you have registered in our system. Your password will be emailed to you automatically. Please note that due to technical constraints, your profile may not reflect all the information you have previously provided. Therefore, we invite you to make sure that all the different sections of your profile are completed.

I have forgotten my registration number and/or my password, where should I click to get them? [go to top]
Please visit MyProfile and click on "Having problems logging in?". Your registration number and password will be sent to the email address registered in our database.

I was contacted/called for a UNV assignment. What happens next? [go to top]
In general, we contact between 5 and 10 candidates and invite them to express their interest in and availability for the particular UNV assignment. After reviewing the responses received, we draw a short-list of 3 to 5 profiles, which we submit to the relevant authorities of the country requesting the services of a UN Volunteer.
The requesting authorities make the final choice and select the candidate who best fulfils their needs and requirements, usually following an interview and/or an in- depth assessment. We send an offer to the selected candidate that details the exact conditions of the UNV assignment and all necessary steps that need to be taken prior to his/her departure. Candidates not selected are being informed accordingly.

How often should I confirm my availability for UNV assignments? [go to top]
You should confirm your availability through MyProfile at least every six months or whenever your availability changes. If we do not hear from you for six months, we will send you a reminder.

What happens if I don't confirm my availability? [go to top]
If we do not hear from you for six months, we will send you a message asking you to confirm your availability. If we do not receive a response to our reminder, your profile will then stay inactive. It will remain inactive unless you reactivate your status in the database through http://myprofile.unv.org. While your profile is inactive, we will not contact you for UNV assignments.

What happens if I am temporarily unavailable for UNV assignments? [go to top]
If you indicate that you are not available to take up a UNV assignment your profile will become inactive. It will remain inactive unless you reactivate your status in the database through http://myprofile.unv.org. While your profile is inactive, we will not contact you for UNV assignments.

I was included in the UNV database before, but my profile has since been inactive. Can I re-activate my profile? [go to top]
Yes. Simply access http://myprofile.unv.org and indicate your new date of availability. If you do not have (or lost) your password click on the "Having problems logging in?" button. You can then enter either your registration number or your email address registered in our system. Your password will be emailed to you automatically.

Since I have registered in the UNV database, I have not had any news from UNV, why? [go to top]
You probably have had no news because your profile has not yet been identified for a particular UNV assignment. This is rather common because UNV receives far more expressions of interest from individuals wishing to volunteer then requests for UN Volunteers. Furthermore, your field of expertise may not be in line with the requests for UN Volunteers we currently receive from partners. Even if your profile matches current requests, there may be many candidates in the database with a background similar to yours who compete for the same type of UNV assignment. In view of these constraints, you may be unable to volunteer with UNV despite your enthusiasm and expertise.

Who selects my profile for a UNV assignment? [go to top]
Generally, the UNV programme draws a short-list of three to five profiles for each assignment, which we submit to the relevant authorities of the country requesting the services of a UN Volunteer.
The requesting authorities make the final choice and select the candidate who best fulfils their needs and requirements, usually following an interview and/or an in-depth assessment.

What is my status in the UNV database of candidates?
Your profile in the UNV database can only have one of two statuses: "Active" or "Inactive". The only way to find out your status is to log into MyProfile: The "Availability" section shows your current status in the database and allows you to change it at any time. If you select “I am available“ and update the different sections of your profile, your status is active and your profile might be considered for a UNV assignment. If you select “I am not available”, your status is inactive and you will not be contacted for a UNV assignment.

As my registration in the database of candidates does not guarantee a UNV assignment, is there anyway I can start contributing to peace and development worldwide beyond a UNV assignment? [go to top]
Yes, we encourage you to visit UNV's Online Volunteering service at www.onlinevolunteering.org. The Online Volunteering service connects volunteers with organizations worldwide to work together for peace and development - over the Internet. Hundreds of opportunities are available for volunteers to engage in development activities and to provide online support to the work of grassroots organizations, international NGOs, governments and United Nations agencies.

How long will my profile remain in the UNV database? [go to top]
It depends. If your profile remains inactive for two consecutive years, it will be automatically deleted. However, if you are a former national or international UN Volunteer, your profile will remain in the UNV database because it contains information on your past UNV assignment(s).

4. ABOUT HOW TO ENGAGE VOLUNTEERS

I represent an NGO, a government or a UN agency and we are interested in involving volunteers in our programmes, where should we start? [go to top]
It depends on whether you wish to engage either online volunteers or onsite volunteers:

The UNV Online Volunteering service connects organizations working for sustainable human development with volunteers. Organizations collaborate with online volunteers over the Internet to strengthen the impact of their development work. Thousands of volunteers are ready to provide their support: professionals, students, retirees and expatriates from across the globe volunteer their skills online to help organizations address development challenges. Visit the Resources section of the Online Volunteering service website for more information about online volunteering and submit your organization’s application to involve online volunteers.
Organizations requiring the services of on-site UN Volunteers should address their request directly to the UNDP Office of the country where they are operating. For contact information please consult the UNDP website at www.undp.org/countries.