Job description
Location: New York, USA
Full/Part-time: Full-time
Remote/In person: In person
Duration: 24 weeks
Start date: 3 August 2026
Candidates who are not nationals of the country where they will volunteer must have appropriate residence or immigration status in the country of assignment. In the case of a volunteer assignment outside the volunteer’s country of residence, the volunteer will be responsible for making their own visa and travel arrangements.
The Position:
Under the direct supervision of the Ethics Officer and working with the UNFPA Ethics Advisor, the volunteer will assist UNFPA’s Ethics Office in promoting and upholding ethical standards throughout the organization. The volunteer will receive ongoing feedback and evaluation throughout the assignment.
About UNFPA and How You Can Make a Difference:
UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need candidates who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence.
You would be responsible for:
1. Assisting in developing outreach materials to raise awareness on ethical issues for UNFPA personnel;
2. Assisting in the development and delivery of ethics training programmes;
3. Creating and distributing other ethics-related communications materials;
4. Developing and maintaining the content of the Ethics Office’s online presence;
5. Conducting research on ethical issues relevant to the organization;
6. Assisting in the development and revision of ethics policies, guidance and information notes;
7. Supporting the management of the Ethics Office; and
8. Performing other duties as required.
Qualifying for a Volunteer Assignment
All UNFPA Volunteers must meet the following eligibility requirements:
a. Applicants from all over the world may express an interest in volunteering. Applicants must be over the age of 18. There is no upper age restriction as long as the person is fit for the required work.
b. Candidates who are not nationals of the country where they will volunteer must have appropriate residence or immigration status in the country of assignment.
c. Volunteers may include professionals, technicians, and retirees.
d. Spouses and family members of current UNFPA personnel may volunteer as long as there is no conflict of interest.
i. Family relationships must be disclosed to the Ethics Office and Head of Unit prior to engaging a spouse or family member as a volunteer.
ii. Volunteers should not be in the same reporting line as spouses or family members and, where feasible should be in different organizational units.
e. Normally a volunteer should have completed secondary education and should have a working knowledge of English.
f. Fluency in the official language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish) of the UNFPA office may be required.
g. Demonstrate interest in the field of development.
h. Demonstrate ability to adapt to new environments and to establish and maintain good working relations with individuals of different cultural backgrounds.
You Have:
Your Education:
University degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in law, public administration, international relations, or a related relevant field.
Your Experiences:
Some experience in working with development agencies, including in volunteer capacity.
Some experience in developing and distributing communications materials, managing digital content, or maintaining an online presence.
Some experience in developing, designing, or delivering training programs or educational content.
Some demonstrated experience in conducting research, analysis, or drafting policy documents, guidance notes, or background papers, particularly on governance, compliance, or ethical issues.
Strong analytical and writing skills.
Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members from different national and cultural backgrounds.
Fluency in English and Spanish is required for this assignment. Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.
Learning Elements:
Upon completion of the assignment, and depending on its duration, the UNFPA Volunteer will gain the following knowledge assets:
1. Gained understanding of UNFPA and its Ethics Office
2. Understand the UN(FPA) Ethics framework
3. Demonstrate UN(FPA) core competencies, including planning and organizing, accountability, client orientation, communication and creativity
4. Learn UN technical language, working procedures, and coordination mechanisms
5. Write and formulate substantive documents and presentations
6. Contributed to the successful promotion and upholding of ethical standards
7. Network with UN(FPA) colleagues
8. Gain work experience as a team member in a multicultural setting
Financial Aspects:
UNFPA Volunteers do not receive a salary or any other form of remuneration from UNFPA. The costs associated with a UNFPA Volunteer's participation in the programme must be assumed by the UNFPA Volunteer themselves, who will have to meet living expenses as well as make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel and other requirements.
In addition, applicants must have medical insurance for the duration of the volunteer assignment. Proof of adequate medical insurance, a medical certificate of good health, proof of any required vaccinations for the duty station will need to be submitted before the volunteer assignment begins. UNFPA does not provide medical insurance for UNFPA volunteers.
UNFPA Work Environment:
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.
Disclaimer:
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
How to Apply
Please email your applications to ethics.office@unfpa.org
Due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.