FAQ for online volunteers

• Who can apply for assignments via the Online Volunteering service?
• How do I register with the Online Volunteering service and what happens next?
• As a registered user, how do I proceed to become an online volunteer?
• I cannot find assignments matching my profile. What should I do?
• I have applied for an assignment a while ago, but have not heard back. What should I do?
• What do I need to do at the end of an assignment?
• Can I also find on-site volunteering assignments on this site?
• As an online volunteer via this service, am I a UN Volunteer?
• Can I find assignments in languages other than English?

Who can apply for assignments via the Online Volunteering service?

The UNV OV service is open to all people worldwide that are beyond the age of legal majority according to the law in their respective countries. In principle, everyone who is motivated, has the required profile for an online volunteering assignment, and has a regular access to the Internet can apply.

How do I register with the Online Volunteering service and what happens next?

You register with the Online Volunteering service by filling the registration form in the Join section. As a registered user you get access to a personal page (My OV). You access My OV by logging in with your username and password that you select during registration. As a registered user of the UNV OV service, you will receive the monthly UNV OV newsletter and you can apply for online volunteering assignments.

As a registered user, how do I proceed to become an online volunteer?

Search the database of online volunteering assignments.

Apply for your selected online volunteering assignment.
An online application form is linked to each assignment. You can attach your CV to the application form. Submitting the application directly sends it to the development organization that has posted the assignment.

The host organization reviews and decides on the selection your application.
The organization that posted the assignment will let you know if they selected you as their online volunteer.

Collaborate with the host organization.

I cannot find assignments matching my profile. What should I do?

A reason may be that you have selected many search criteria and so your search was too specific. Try searching the assignments database by fewer search categories. The assignments database reflects the demand expressed by our host organizations. It may be possible that no demand exists for a particular profile at a certain point. We recommend that you check our site regularly as new assignments are published every day, the latest always displayed on the homepage.

I have applied for an assignment a while ago, but have not heard back. What should I do?

You find the contact information for the assignment that you applied for as well as your application status in the My History page of your My OV account.
First, check your status. If your status is "removed", you have not been selected for the assignment. If you status is still "pending", you should inquire directly at the host organization.
If after repeated inquiries, an organization still does not get back to you, you might want to let the Online Volunteering service know (Contact us).

What do I need to do at the end of an assignment?

Fill the evaluation form for online volunteers.
The evaluation form is linked to your assignment entries in your My History page. We use the information you enter in the evaluation form to ensure the quality of the Online Volunteering service and we do not share with your host organization.

Share your online volunteering experiences.
In addition to the evaluation form, the Online Volunteering service appreciates any kind of additional informal feedback or articles to be published in the Stories section.

Can I also find on-site volunteering assignments on this site?

The Online Volunteering service focuses on online volunteering for development, and does not offer any on-site volunteering assignments.
A suggested resource for more information on volunteering on-site and volunteerism in general is the World Volunteer Web. The UN Volunteers programme offers - a limited number of - on-site volunteer opportunities of 1 - 2 years duration for professionals with substantive work experience

As an online volunteer via this service, am I a UN Volunteer?

The UN Volunteers programme provides the Online Volunteering service to facilitate collaboration between development organizations and online volunteers worldwide. You are a volunteer with your host organization. Online volunteers have no contractual relationship with the UN Volunteers programme, and therefore are not considered UN Volunteers.

Can I find assignments in languages other than English?

The functionality and content of the Online Volunteering Service site are currently available only in English. However, some host organizations publish assignments in Spanish and French or ask for native speakers of other languages. You can use the language search criteria of the assignments search to find assignments requiring the language you are looking for.

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