UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, is a leading UN agency dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of every child, with a special focus on the most disadvantaged and vulnerable. Operating in 191 countries and territories, UNICEF works to ensure that every child has access to health care, education, clean water, nutrition, and protection from violence and exploitation. Its mission is to advocate for children’s rights, meet their basic needs, and expand opportunities for children to reach their full potential, especially in contexts affected by war, disaster, poverty, and inequality .UNICEF’s work is broad and impactful, spanning areas such as:
- Health and Nutrition: Delivering immunizations, disease prevention, and maternal-child health services.
- Education: Ensuring access to quality education, especially in emergencies.
- Child Protection: Safeguarding children from violence, exploitation, and abuse.
- Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): Improving access to clean water and sanitation.
- Emergency Response: Coordinating life-saving interventions during crises
Volunteering with UNICEF: Open Volunteering Roles for October 2025
UNICEF’s global reach and ambitious goals are supported by a strong partnership with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme. The UNV programme mobilizes volunteers to support peace and development initiatives across the UN system, including UNICEF. Through this partnership, thousands of volunteers contribute their skills and passion to UNICEF’s mission every year, working in diverse roles and locations .UN Volunteers support UNICEF in areas such as education, health, youth engagement, social policy, child protection, disaster response, and communications. In 2024 alone, over 2,200 volunteers were mobilized with UNICEF through the UNV programme, highlighting the scale and impact of this collaboration
As of October 2025, UNICEF is seeking volunteers for a wide range of roles, including but not limited to:
- Health Officers
- Knowledge Management and Monitoring Officers
- Communications Specialists
- Youth Engagement Coordinators
- Disability Inclusion Officers
- Resource Mobilization and Human Resources roles
These positions may be based in UNICEF country or regional offices, or offered as remote/online assignments. Each listing provides detailed information about the assignment, required qualifications, location, and application deadlines
All current UNICEF volunteering opportunities, including those open in October 2025, are published on the UNV Unified Volunteering Platform (UVP)
This platform lists both on-site and online assignments, with roles available in various countries and regions, as well as remote opportunities
How to Apply Online via app.unv.org
- Register on the UNV Unified Volunteering Platform : Visit https://app.unv.org/ and Create an account and complete your profile, including personal details, education, work experience, skills, and languages
- Search for UNICEF Assignments : Use the search or filter function to select “UNICEF” as the host entity. Filter by location, duration, area of expertise, and whether the assignment is onsite or online
- Review Assignment Details : Each listing includes a Description of Assignment (DoA) outlining responsibilities, requirements, and benefits. Note the application deadline and ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.
- Submit Your Application : Apply directly through the platform by answering any assignment-specific questions. Some assignments may require a motivation letter or additional documentation
Volunteering with UNICEF through the UNV programme is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on children’s lives worldwide. Whether you are a young professional, an experienced specialist, or someone passionate about child rights, there are diverse roles available to match your skills and interests.
Volunteer Testimonials
Volunteers consistently report that their experiences with UNICEF are both rewarding and transformative. For example, Sihyun, who volunteered in Cambodia, later joined UNICEF’s MENA Regional Office as a Health Officer, inspired by the health gaps she witnessed among youth. Debbie Chinochema, a young community member in Zimbabwe living with HIV, became a volunteer and advocate through UNICEF programmes, making a tangible difference in her community
