The UN 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 Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) finances around 20 UN Youth Volunteer (UNYVUN Youth Volunteers ) positions. UNYV assignments, which last one year, are a unique opportunity to learn and grow, discover the multilateral system and further your career in the area of international cooperation.

Why Swiss UN Youth Volunteer positions

  • UNYVUN Youth Volunteers positions allow direct exposure to the work of UN organisations at field level,
  • UNYV positions offer Swiss graduates the opportunity to obtain on-the-job training and increase their knowledge and competencies in their areas of interest, while working and living in dynamic, multifaceted settings,
  • UNYV positions for Swiss nationals contribute to the development of a skilled, motivated and mobile work force of young professionals in the area of international cooperation.

Current vacancies

Discover all positions

20 positions in 16 countries

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

Online application

Apply for your favourite position among the 20 available. You can also indicate a second choice. Deadline is on 15 September 2019.
Read carefully

Practical information for applicants

Learn more about the requirements, conditions of service and selection process.
Join the webinar

Ask your questions & get answers

Would you like to learn more about the programme, eligibility criteria, and application tips? Join our online information event on 21 August 2019 at 4 pm (Swiss time).
Open WhatsApp

Get in touch with us

Do you have any questions or requests? Write us on WhatsApp +41775250865.
Find out more

Frequently asked questions

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

Profiles sought-after

UNYVUN Youth Volunteers positions are diverse and depend on the organisations’ thematic priorities. Positions are oriented towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and can focus for example on areas such as gender equality, human rights, protection, health, communication for development, peace and development, migration, or law. Technical skills in areas such as monitoring and evaluation, research, analysis, and communication are desired.

Minimum requirements for applicants

  • Swiss nationality
  • Master's degree in a relevant field
  • Ideally 1 year of relevant professional experience
  • Max. 28 years old at the moment of the application 
  • Excellent command of English 
  • Demonstrated thematic interest in international cooperation, development, human rights, peace promotion or humanitarian affairs

Testimonials of former UN Youth Volunteers

Get inspired

Helen Stevenson

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

Mirco Keller

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

Sabina Stein

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

More testimonials:

  • Julia Moser, former UN Youth Volunteer for UNHCRUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Sri Lanka
  • Omar Azzabi, former UN Youth Volunteer for OHCHROffice of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Senegal
  • Amanda Eyer, former UN Youth Volunteer for UN-Habitat in Ecuador

The Donor’s and cinfo’s role

UNYVUN Youth Volunteers positions for Swiss nationals are funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Human Security Division of the Swiss Confederation. 

cinfo is in charge of... 

  • promoting the programme, publishing and publicising all vacancies,
  • processing applications, conducting interviews with candidates, pre-selecting and recommending candidates,
  • preparing the selected UNYVs for their assignment, 
  • offering career advice and follow-up during and after UNYV assignments.