Are you wondering how to secure an interview with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program? Do you want insider tips on increasing your chances of getting shortlisted by UNV? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the essential steps and strategies to secure a UNV interview, helping you stand out from the competitive pool of applicants. Let’s dive in!
What is the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Program?
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program connects skilled professionals with UN agencies for assignments both domestically and internationally. The UNV application process is highly competitive, but with the right strategies, you can increase your chances of getting shortlisted, interviewed, and ultimately hired.
In this post, I’ll cover key aspects of the UNV program, including the different types of UN volunteer roles, how to apply, tips for optimizing your United Nations Volunteers application, and important information on accommodations, stipends, and more.
Are United Nations Volunteers Paid?
UN Volunteers do not receive a traditional salary but instead receive various allowances to support their assignments. These include:
- Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): A monthly stipend meant to cover essential living expenses.
- Travel Expenses: Reimbursement for travel to and from the duty station, as well as repatriation costs.
- Settling-in Grant: A grant based on the duration of the assignment, paid at the start.
- Insurance: Coverage for life, health, and permanent disability. The description of insurance benefits for international UN Volunteers is available here
- Annual Leave: Standard leave benefits.
- Resettlement Allowance: Paid upon the successful completion of the assignment.
You can find more details about the UNV Conditions of Service here.
What is the UNV Application Process?
The UNV application process is straightforward and involves several key steps:
- Create a Profile: Visit the UNV website and register to create a profile. Ensure your profile reflects your skills, education, language abilities, and work experience.
- Search for Opportunities: Browse available positions that align with your background and expertise.
- Apply: Submit your application along with a brief motivational letter. Once submitted, you’ll hopefully receive confirmation that your profile has been passed to the host organization (e.g., UNICEF, UNDP, UNHCR). Receiving this email means you have passed the first shortlisting. Congrats.
- Interview Invitation: If shortlisted, you’ll receive an interview invitation, typically via email. The interview may be conducted over the phone or via video, with a panel of 2–4 UN staff members.
- Interview Process: The interview usually lasts between 20–30 minutes and focuses on competency-based questions. Be prepared to provide examples from your previous experience that demonstrate key skills such as leadership, inclusivity, and problem-solving.
Some example competency based interviewing questions could be:
- “Tell me about a time you have you demonstrated good leadership in the past?”
- “Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult co-worker/supervisor, what was the situation, how did you resolve it, and what was the outcome?”
- “Tell me about a time you demonstrated gender and inclusivity in the workplace?”
- “Tell me about a time when you demonstrated good team work?”
If the position requires an additional language, they will typically ask questions in that language during the interview.
6. Receive an offer: Do a happy dance. Jet set off to your new duty station!
How to Get a UN Volunteers (UNV) Interview
Now that we have covered what the UN Volunteers program is, the “pay” structure, and how to create a UNV profile, we can get to the good stuff: How to Get a UN Volunteers Interview!
A few reminders before we begin:
- The United Nations Volunteers program is VERY competitive. Do not feel discouraged if it takes sending over 30+ applications before you are shortlisted.
- There are always other opportunities with NGO’s/INGO’s if you are not selected for a UNV role
- You can build your resume up and apply again in the future. UNV is not going anywhere!
Let’s begin!
Tips for Landing a UN Volunteers Interview
Here are key strategies to increase your chances of securing a UNV interview:
- Obtain a Relevant Master’s Degree: For international specialist roles, a Master’s degree in a relevant field can enhance your application.
- List Languages and Proficiency Levels: Clearly state all languages you speak and your proficiency (A1, B2, etc.).
- Personal Touch: Include relevant life experiences that demonstrate your passion and connection to UNV’s mission.
- Tailor Your Profile: Highlight your relevant experience using keywords listed in the job descriptions (e.g., refugee work, case management, survivor-centered approaches).
- Certifications & Training: Add any additional training or certifications, such as those from Coursera or other recognized platforms.
- Avoid Errors: Ensure there are no spelling or grammatical mistakes. If English isn’t your first language, have your profile reviewed before submission.
Securing a UNV interview is no small feat, but with persistence and a well-crafted application, you can stand out from the crowd. Remember, the UNV program is highly competitive, so don’t be discouraged if it takes multiple applications before you’re shortlisted. Keep building your experience, and you may find future opportunities.
Looking for more tips? Check out my post on United Nations Volunteers Interview Tips and How To Get a Job at the UN!
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Please note: the views and opinions expressed on this blog are that of my own and do not represent the opinions of any agency mentioned.