UN Volunteers – Moving Forward
Do people who take part in a first mission as a UN Volunteer (intern or specialist) stay in international cooperation or the UN system? Learn more about our evaluation on retention.
At a glance
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs' investment in the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme represents a major achievement in talent management for development assistance in general and for UN agencies in particular.
As this evaluation shows, the retention rate of UN Volunteers in international cooperation and the UN is high: a total of 87% of all former volunteers are, two years after their assignment, still engaged in the sector.
However, these two years after their assignment mark a critical stage for them: former volunteers go through a period characterised by professional instability and a high number of short-term professional contracts. For this reason, it is very important to support them and help them strengthen their career management skills.
