funding: Volunteer (no financial support)
location: Remote / online
eligibility: Professionals aged 18+ with relevant skills
host: United Nations Volunteers
duration: 3–12 months (varies by assignment)
apply-url: https://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en
The UN Volunteers (UNV) Online Volunteering Service connects skilled individuals with UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society organisations for remote volunteer assignments. Since 2000, the platform has facilitated over 350,000 online volunteering assignments across virtually every country in the world. In 2026, the programme continues to grow as organisations increasingly rely on distributed talent to advance development goals.
How It Works
Organisations post specific volunteering assignments on the UNV Online Volunteering platform at onlinevolunteering.org. Volunteers browse available assignments, apply to those matching their skills, and — if selected — complete the work remotely on a schedule agreed with the organisation. Assignments are real, substantive work: translation, graphic design, data analysis, website development, communication strategy, research, fundraising support, and more.
Assignment Duration and Commitment
Most online volunteer assignments run between three and six months, with a time commitment of five to ten hours per week. Some shorter, task-based assignments run for four to eight weeks. All assignments are unpaid — this is volunteer work — but the experience, references, and professional connections gained are genuine and recognised by employers and graduate schools worldwide.
Who Should Apply
UN Volunteers online assignments are open to anyone aged 18 or over with reliable internet access and relevant skills. There are assignments for beginners and for experienced professionals. Students, early-career professionals, freelancers, and those re-entering the workforce have all used the platform to build experience with international organisations. There is no nationality or residency requirement.
Featured Assignment Areas
Current and recurring assignment categories include: content writing and editing for UN agency websites, translation and interpretation for multilingual communications, social media management and digital marketing, data collection and statistical analysis, UX and graphic design, video production and editing, legal research and document drafting, community engagement and project coordination support, and e-learning content development.
How to Get Started
Visit onlinevolunteering.org, create a volunteer profile, upload your CV, and browse open assignments filtered by your skills and interests. Apply with a tailored cover letter for each assignment — generic applications rarely succeed. Once matched, you sign a volunteer agreement, attend a short orientation, and begin working with your host organisation. Completed assignments are documented in a UNV certificate of service.