For tens of millions of people around the world, volunteering is an expression of support for a principle that strikes to the heart of the United Nations system: that by working together, we can make the world a better place for everyone.

The United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV) is the focal point for volunteerism within the United Nations. The programme is administered by the UNDP.

The UNV programme pursues distinctive contributions to human development through greater access to opportunities and services and the improved delivery of services, increased inclusion and participation, and the mobilization of communities. It also advocates the benefits of volunteerism for development, helps to integrate volunteerism into development planning, and directly and indirectly mobilizes volunteers in support of development objectives.

Every year UNV engages more than 7,500 skilled professionals as UNV Volunteers. They work in more than 140 countries and their average age is 37 years with 5-10 years of working experience. Almost 70 percent of UNV Volunteers come from developing countries, with 40 percent volunteering within their own countries.

UNV also operates the OnlineVolunteering.org service in order to connect development organizations with thousands of online volunteers worldwide. UNV is committed to engaging equal numbers of male and female volunteers.
See : http://www.unvolunteers.org

UNV Programme in Sudan

UNV Volunteers working in Sudan:
Host Agency	Number of UNVs
UNAIDS	1
UNDP	39
UNHCR	51
UNICEF	3
UNOCHA	3
UNMIS	317
UNV	4
WFP	8
UNFPA	4
ILO	1

The UNV programme is administered by UNDP and is an integral part of UNDP in Sudan. UNDP Sudan attracts the third largest number of volunteers after UNHCR and the 10,000 strong UN peace-keeping Mission in Sudan. It works in partnership with governments, UN Agencies, and non-governmental and community-based organizations.

UNV interventions are usually managed by government institutions as well as the following UN agencies that provide technical guidance and supervision: the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNFPA) the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and UNDP.

The UNV programme in Sudan works with and through partners (UN agencies and volunteer involving organizations) to integrate volunteers in programme country efforts to achieve national objectives. The programme contributes to development effectiveness through its advocacy activities, the advisory support in development programming and through the volunteers it deploys across the country.

The UNV Support office in UNMIS administers both national and international UNV Volunteers assigned to the peacekeeping mission. Currently there are over 300 UNV Volunteers assigned to the Mission and posted all over Sudan, in both substantive and non-substantive capacities. UNMIS provides administrative, logistical and financial services for all these UNV Volunteers. It also provides career counseling and guidance to assist UNV Volunteers in getting the most out of their assignments. UNMIS also aims to increase awareness of UNV activities nationwide as well as bring attention to relevant quality standards and best practices in the area of volunteerism for social inclusion within the Mission.

More than 120 international and national UNV Volunteers are currently deployed in different UN agencies in Sudan, under the management of the UNV Programme Office in Sudan. International UNVs in Sudan represent more than 40 nationalities. The majority of UNV Volunteers serve as Rule of Law Officers for UNDP’s Rule of Law Programme in Darfur or as Protection and Field officers for UNHCR.

Additional areas of involvement in development fields include: Civil Engineers, Nutritionists, Environment Specialists, Supply and Logistics officers, Administration and Finance Officers, Human Resources Officers, Medical Doctors, Development Planning Officers, Cartographers, Programme Officers, Radio Operators and English as a Second Language Teachers.

For more information on the UNV programme in Sudan please contact: info.unv.sd@undp.org