The United Nations Youth Volunteers Programme

Are you Swiss, under 29 years old and hold a Master’s degree? Would you like to gain valuable field experience with a UN organisation while contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? 

Each year, the Swiss Government finances up to 30 United Nations Youth Volunteer (UNYVUN Youth Volunteers ) positions. UNYV assignments, which last one year, are a unique opportunity to learn, discover the multilateral system and kick-start your career in the area of international cooperation. This programme is reserved for Swiss nationals only, therefore the number of applicants is relatively low.

To ensure one can fully immerse in these assignments, all travel, relocation, life and health insurance costs are covered by the programme and a monthly living allowance is paid.

Why Swiss UN Youth Volunteer positions

  • To work with UN organisations in developing countries
  • To obtain on-the-job training
  • To increase knowledge and competencies in your work area of interest, while living in dynamic and multifaceted settings
  • To join the work force of young Swiss professionals in the area of international cooperation

Applications are now closed

Next call for applications: mid-August 2022

Learn more about similar opportunities but to work with the World Bank here (Next call for applications: January - February 2022)

Applications closed

20 positions in 20 countries

Which Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) are you interested in working on? And where? See all 20 UN Youth Volunteer vacancies!
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Frequently asked questions

What kind of work will I be doing? Will I be working for free? How can I submit my application? etc.

Minimum requirements

  • Swiss nationality
  • Master's degree in a relevant field
  • Ideally 12 months of relevant professional experience (min. 3 months - max. 24 months)
  • Max. 28 years old at the start of the assignment in April 2022 (born on or after April 1, 1993)
  • Excellent command of English and knowledge of 2 official Swiss languages (active knowledge of at least one of them)
  • Demonstrated thematic interest in international cooperation, development, human rights, peace promotion or humanitarian affairs

Types of assignment

UNYVUN Youth Volunteers positions are very diverse, depend on the UN organisations’ thematic priorities and are oriented towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Some examples of types of positions: 

  • Human rights
  • Programme analysis and coordination
  • Gender equality
  • Monitoring and evaluation
  • Peacebuilding coordination

Graduates with a background from law to economics, social sciences to international relations are encouraged to apply to the programme.

Partnership

Swiss Confederation

These UNYV positions are funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the Peace and Human Rights Division of the Swiss Confederation. As a result, these positions are open to Swiss nationals only.

cinfo

cinfo is mandated by the Swiss Confederation to promote the programme, publish all vacancies, process the applications and conduct the recruitment process. cinfo also prepares the selected UNYV candidates for their assignment, and ensures the follow-up during and after the mission.

United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

UNV is in charge of the global programme. UNV partners with all funding governments (such as Switzerland) and the hiring UN organisations, and deploys the selected UN Youth Volunteers in their countries of assignment.

Partner UN entities

The United Nations partners are responsible for managing the UN Youth Volunteers, who are an integral part of their staff, during their assignment.

Testimonials of former UN Youth Volunteers

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Helen Stevenson

Former UN Youth Volunteer for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Uzbekistan
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Vittoria Groh

Former UN Youth Volunteer for the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (UNRCO) in Haiti
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Mirco Keller

Former UN Youth Volunteer for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Burundi
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Sabina Stein

Former UN Youth Volunteer for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Colombia
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Amanda Eyer

Former UN Youth Volunteer for the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in Ecuador
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Julia Moser

Former UN Youth Volunteer for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Sri Lanka
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Omar Azzabi

Former UN Youth Volunteer for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Senegal