Talent Acquisition Assistant

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers. In most cultures, volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities. In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

Within the United Nations Volunteers (UNV), the Volunteer Solutions Section (VSS) develops policies and solutions to support the mobilization of UN Volunteers across the UN system. VSS is responsible for providing robust and innovative volunteer service offers to the UN system. The Talent Acquisition and Recruitment team within VSS is responsible for talent acquisition and the recruitment of UN Volunteers from sourcing to selection for a specific assignment. UNV enables the mobilization of both UN Volunteers and Online Volunteers by identifying and engaging people whose skills and values match the needs of UN partners and host organizations. This process includes analyzing partner priorities, tracking local and global trends, and building diverse talent pools. Talent Acquisition also ensures a positive application experience and highlights the benefits of volunteering with UNV. The approach is both responsive to current needs and prepares for future demands in development, humanitarian, and peacebuilding work. At country level, the UNV Field Unit (FU) and/or designated UNV personnel are responsible for the mobilization and placement of UN Volunteers in UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes in the areas of peace, development and humanitarian assistance. UNV Field Units/designated UNV personnel represent and position UNV in the respective countries with a focus on the UN Country Team, bringing UNV’s services and solutions closer to its partners within a client service approach and collaborating with other stakeholders from government, civil society and private sector. As UNDP represents UNV at country level, UNV personnel are usually hosted within a UNDP Office and are accountable to the Supervisor and UNV Executive Coordinator for compliance with UNV and UNDP policies, rules and regulations.

Under the day-to-day guidance of the Country Coordinator and the technical supervision of the Operations Analyst, Talent Acquisition in the Regional Office, the UN Volunteer serving as Talent Acquisition Assistant will contribute to the sourcing of national talent in alignment with country-level demand forecasts and the talent acquisition priorities of UN partner entities. The UN Volunteer will help identify and engage local talent sources, support targeted outreach efforts, and contribute to building a diverse and qualified pool of candidates for UN Volunteer assignments. By fulfilling these responsibilities, the UN Volunteer will support the effective mobilization of high-quality volunteer talent, ensuring alignment between volunteer skills and UN partner needs, while enhancing the overall volunteer experience. The UN Volunteer will collaborate closely with Operations Associates, Volunteer Recruitment, and the Communications team in the Regional Office. This assignment involves regular contact and liaison with UN personnel at various levels, including senior staff. UN Volunteers are expected to work across multiple units, functions, and teams to foster horizontal collaboration and contribute to a cohesive working environment. 1. Support local talent acquisition and sourcing - Assist in attracting and engaging qualified national talent based on forecasted demand and strategic priorities, sharing perspectives as a fellow volunteer to make opportunities relatable and accessible. - Help identify and optimize talent sourcing channels, including outreach to underrepresented groups and hard-to-fill profiles, keeping aware of local trends in both employment and volunteerism. - Record and track sourcing and outreach activities through the UNV CRM system, ensuring information is accurate and useful for the Field Unit and partners. - Support the review and testing of new sourcing approaches, offering suggestions based on practical experience and peer interactions. - Provide input to volunteer demand forecasting and fit-gap analyses, helping align local talent supply with partner and programme needs. - Observe and report on local labour and volunteering trends that may influence the availability or motivation of potential candidates. 2. Support outreach and engagement strategies - Assist in building and maintaining partnerships with local talent sources (e.g., universities, professional associations, community groups, organizations of persons with disabilities, women’s associations) to broaden the pool of potential volunteers. - Contribute to outreach campaigns and initiatives, including Special Programme Initiatives, by bringing ideas that highlight the value and impact of volunteering. - Support the planning and implementation of local outreach and community engagement events, representing the Field Unit as a peer and approachable contact for potential volunteers. - Help organize campaigns and events that raise awareness of UNV opportunities and promote the spirit of volunteerism in the local context. 3. Contribute to talent pool development and a positive candidate experience - Help identify priority profiles for building strategic talent pools, with an emphasis on roles needed for high-demand areas or large-scale volunteer mobilizations. - Support the maintenance and development of these talent pools, ensuring that information is up to date and accessible. - Assist in creating a positive applicant experience by providing timely and clear information to prospective volunteers, helping them understand the recruitment process and volunteer journey. Collect and share feedback from candidates and peers to inform improvements that strengthen inclusivity, diversity, and the overall volunteer experience. - Provide back-up support to other functions in the Field Unit during peak periods or absences, demonstrating flexibility and teamwork.