Photo: UN Community Volunteers stand arm-in-arm outside the new Community Volunteerism Centre at Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.
© UNV, 2019
Support for Supervisors
From induction training to team building, remember you’re not alone. Here’s who to reach out to and when. Together, we can create an engaging and compelling volunteer experience to help UN Volunteers reach their full potential and make a strong contribution.
UNV Support System
Host Entity Support System
First entry point for all partners (governments, UN agencies, civil society, private sector) to engage with UNV. From advisory services on volunteer infrastructure to volunteer solutions and services to meet your needs, and even guidance to field units and country coordinators, trust our Regional Offices – they have your back!
Contact our Field Units to identify opportunities where UN Volunteers can add value to humanitarian and development programmes and peacekeeping missions. They support your needs and UN Volunteers in the country. Count on them for solutions.
Get help recruiting new talent from the Volunteer Service Centre (VSC) at UNV. Working closely with all teams and offices, these experts know all the rules and regulations, policies and procedures. Let them find and hire the right volunteer for you. They will also administer and manage the benefits and entitlements of UN Volunteers.
Leverage UNV learning programmes to support UN Volunteers in building individual and professional skills. Guide their learning through these programmes to align UN Volunteers’ learning needs and host entity priorities. Provide opportunities to learn, apply, practice and refine skills to ensure positive outcomes.
Introduce UN Volunteers to their peers as soon as you can. Develop their confidence, networking and personal skills (active listening, problem-solving, basic counselling) while creating comradery. Peer networks allow volunteers to bond through shared experiences and help make volunteering all the more satisfying.
Pair your volunteer with two buddies. Choose one to settle your new team member during induction. Identify a second person, less intimidating than a supervisor, for your volunteer to connect with and learn from when you start working together. This is also a great opportunity for buddies to gain a little leadership experience.
Encourage your staff to give a warm welcome and openly accept your volunteer. Being inclusive and supportive is everyone’s responsibility, and key to establishing a united team.
See HR for your volunteer’s paperwork (ID card, work permit, visa) and working hours. Also let your volunteer know who they should speak to if they encounter any HR-related problems
Grant your UN Volunteer access to your internal learning platform for host entity specific mandatory training. Provide learning opportunities and technical training to facilitate completion of assignment tasks, e.g. technical tools, software programs or research/evaluation approaches. This is your responsibility and an opportunity to get your volunteer up to speed.
Guidance, tools and tips at your fingertips, anytime, anywhere. Deliver a rich volunteer experience by successfully recruiting, onboarding, managing and transitioning UN Volunteers.