Onboarding your UN Volunteer

Your international volunteer needs local information (customs, climate, security, healthcare), work permits and visas (residence, exit-entry), and transport. These aspects are critical for them to feel comfortable and supported as they undertake their assignment and go a long way to setting them up for success and ensuring they can focus on their assignment. Share your local knowledge and see to it that your volunteer finds a place to live. And set up their workspace, complete with all the equipment and resources to get their work done.

Pair your volunteer with a coaching buddy until they’ve found their feet. They crave social connection during the first few weeks, as it helps them to adapt to their new environment and develop meaningful relationships. Spend time with your volunteer, talk them through your mission and values, share your goals and important cultural considerations, while respecting their freedom to be themselves.

Outline their role and responsibilities, set meaningful work and give feedback. Explain your organization and business priorities. It is critical to start your volunteer on a path of continuous learning – mandatory courses on your learning platform and training on skills relevant to their assignment. Leverage UNV learning programmes and help them get up to speed on UNV eCampus.