Client Engagement Assistant

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. We work with partners to integrate qualified, highly motivated and well supported UN Volunteers into development programming and promote the value and global recognition of volunteerism. UNV is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and reports to the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board. Read more about the added value of UNV, UN Volunteers and volunteerism https://www.unv.org/Added-value-UNV-UN-Volunteers-and-volunteerism.

At country level, the UNV Field Unit (FU) and/or designated UNV personnel are responsible for the mobilization and placement of UN Volunteers in UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes in the areas of peace, development and humanitarian assistance.  UNV Field Units/designated UNV personnel represent and position UNV in the respective countries with a focus on the UN Country Team, bringing UNV’s services and solutions closer to its partners within a client service approach and collaborating with other stakeholders from government, civil society and private sector.
As UNDP represents UNV at country level, UNV personnel are usually hosted
within a UNDP Office and are accountable to the Supervisor and UNV Executive
Coordinator for compliance with UNV and UNDP policies, rules and regulations.

Under the general guidance of the Regional Manager, with day-to-day reporting to the Country Coordinator, the UN Volunteer serving as Client Engagement Assistant supports the identification, development, and cultivation of select partnerships with UN Agencies / Host Entities at country level. This includes managing the relationship with priority partners, gathering and sharing data and information that influence mobilization opportunities, ensuring client satisfaction with volunteer services, and bridging the delivery of services from centralized functions of the volunteer management cycle. The critical purpose of this UNV assignment is the sustained mobilization of volunteers to the designated partners (clients) and support to
the duty of care for serving volunteers.
The role involves regular contact and liaison with counterpart UN personnel at all levels, including senior level staff. Within UNV, all personnel are expected to work across multiple units, functions, and teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration. 

1. Assist in mobilizing volunteers and developing and maintaining partnerships
• Support the management of assigned partner accounts and maintain relationships with UN entities to promote UNV’s mandate, offers, and the added value of volunteer assignments.
• Identify volunteer placement opportunities aligned with UN agency strategies
and assist in preparing descriptions of assignments.
• Contribute to the development of tailored offers and initiatives that address partners’ evolving needs for volunteer solutions.
• Support advocacy campaigns, key events, and communications that raise awareness of volunteerism and highlight impact stories.
• Collect and analyze data from UN Cooperation Frameworks and agency programmes to identify opportunities for volunteer engagement.
• Record mobilization opportunities and partnership intelligence in UNV’s Client Relationship Management (CRM) system and ensure knowledge is documented and shared.
• Prepare presentations, mapping, and key messages for engagement with partners and internal use.
• Act as focal point for online volunteering, in consultation with the Regional Office, by supporting host entities in developing OV opportunities, promoting the concept of OV, and assisting with accreditation of OV service organizations.

2. Support volunteer experience and duty of care
• As a fellow UN Volunteer, assist with onboarding and provide ongoing support throughout the volunteer management cycle to ensure an inclusive, smooth, and positive experience for all UN Volunteers in the country.
• Respond to volunteer inquiries, escalate concerns when needed, and gather feedback through surveys or check-ins to inform improvements.
• Help organize appreciation initiatives and local events that recognize contributions and foster belonging.
• Support host entities with information on volunteer roles, wellbeing, and enabling instruments (e.g. insurance, benefits).
• Contribute to duty of care by liaising with security focal points, supporting emergency headcounts, and coordinating assistance in cases such as medical evacuation.
• Provide tailored support to peers facing language or integration challenges to help them navigate their assignments effectively.
• Backstop other Field Unit/country-level functions during peak periods or staff absences to ensure continuity of service and support.