presentation

[Audio] UN Volunteers & Talent Solutions "Welcome, everyone, and thank you for joining today. In this presentation, we are going to walk through a comprehensive guide to the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program, tailored specifically for UNDP. We will cover the different volunteer categories, how the engagement workflow operates, and what responsibilities you hold as a host entity. Let's get started.".

[Audio] UNV Talent Categories "To begin, let's look at the broad spectrum of talent you can tap into. UNV offers five distinct categories to meet specific operational needs: UN Experts are highly seasoned professionals with at least 15 years of experience. UN Specialists bring a solid foundation with at least 3 years of experience. UN Youth and University volunteers are dynamic younger individuals or students. UN Community volunteers require maximum basic education and specialize in grassroots outreach. Online Volunteers provide task-specific, remote support for up to 3 months. Depending on the scope of your project, you can mix and match these profiles to find the perfect fit.".

[Audio] Professional Volunteer Categories "Diving deeper into our professional tiers: Our UN Expert Volunteers bring robust, senior-level expertise. With a minimum of 15 years in their field, they are critical for complex project implementation. International Experts receive a 40% expertise differential, while National Senior Experts receive a 100% differential. Our UN Specialist Volunteers are the backbone of many operations. Requiring at least 3 years of experience, these mid-level professionals are available both internationally and nationally, for assignments ranging from 3 to 48 months.".

[Audio] Youth & Community Categories "When projects require fresh perspectives or deep local integration, we look to our Youth and Community categories. Youth & University Volunteers have 0 to 3 years of experience. They are often recent graduates or current students ready to inject innovation and new ideas into our programs. On the other hand, Community Volunteers are exclusively national. These individuals might only have basic formal education, but their real value lies in their unparalleled access to local networks. They ensure that grassroots development initiatives are deeply integrated and culturally attuned.".

[Audio] Online Volunteering Solutions "Sometimes, what you need is specific, short-term, task-based support without geographic boundaries. This is where Online Volunteering Solutions shine. This is a 100% remote model that is completely free of charge. Assignments last up to 3 months and require a maximum of 20 hours per week from the volunteer. It's an ideal setup for discrete tasks like data analysis, translation, graphic design, and research, instantly connecting UNDP with motivated digital talent globally.".

[Audio] Online Volunteer Workflow (Steps 1-4) "If you decide to engage an Online Volunteer, the initial workflow is very straightforward. First, you, as the Host Entity, create a Description of Assignment (or DoA) and submit it to UNV. UNV then reviews and publishes this DoA online. Next, UNV utilizes an AI-powered talent sourcing process to generate a long list of suitable candidates. Finally, you review these applications and shortlist the best fits for your project.".

[Audio] Online Volunteer Workflow (Steps 5-8) "Once you have your shortlist, we move to the selection and management phase. You have the option to test or interview your shortlisted candidates. You then make your final selection. Once onboarded, you brief your volunteer on the expected results, establish a workflow, and monitor their progress. At the end of the assignment, it is crucial to provide feedback on their performance and contributions.".

[Audio] How to Apply: The Candidate Journey "It's also helpful to understand what the candidates experience on their end. They start with the Preparation Phase, which involves registering on the UNV Unified Volunteering Platform (UVP) and building a comprehensive profile that highlights their skills and education. Then comes the Application Phase. Candidates explore active DoAs on the platform and submit their applications directly through UVP for your review.".

[Audio] Host Entity Roles: Pre-Assignment (On-Site) "For on-site volunteers, the Host Entity plays a crucial role before the assignment even begins. From an Administrative standpoint, you need to familiarize yourself with the UNV Conditions of Service, finalize the DoA, confirm funding, and manage the candidate selection via UVP. From a Logistics and Inclusivity standpoint, you must ensure your office is accessible for volunteers with disabilities, help facilitate visas prior to arrival, and arrange things like accessible airport pick-ups.".

[Audio] Host Entity Roles: During Assignment (On-Site) "Once your on-site volunteer arrives, your responsibilities shift towards management and integration. You must provide an equal duty of care—just as you would for any personnel. This includes facilitating local administration like bank accounts, providing security briefings, and ensuring they are included in the UN Security Management System. You also need to provide an accessible workspace, clear structured guidance, and manage their performance and leave.".

[Audio] Host Entity Roles: Managing Online Volunteers "Managing Online Volunteers has slightly different requirements. Pre-assignment, you are responsible for developing the DoA and running an inclusive selection process, ensuring you can facilitate reasonable accommodations for any remote volunteers with disabilities. During the assignment, it's vital that you brief them thoroughly on working arrangements and offer structured guidance through a designated organizational focal point.".

[Audio] Host Entity Roles: End of Assignment "Finally, as assignments draw to a close, there are specific steps to follow. For On-Site volunteers, you must either request an extension—at least 2 months in advance—or confirm the contract end. You will conduct a final performance appraisal and provide a reference letter recognizing their achievements. For Online volunteers, you'll need to provide final feedback via the official form and issue a certificate of appreciation to acknowledge their valuable remote contributions. This brings us to the end of the presentation. Thank you very much for your time and attention today. For more detailed information, guidelines, and access to the volunteering platforms, please visit the official UNV website at www.unv.org and see the additional information shared in the SharePoint.".