United Nations Volunteers (Bhutan)

How to become a UNV volunteer

Before applying

Thank you for your interest in serving as a UNV volunteer.

Before applying to be a UNV volunteer in Bhutan (or any other country), be sure to find out all you can about UNV volunteers , by visiting its main web-site.

Frequently Asked Questions

The UNV Roster

UNV maintains, at its processing centre in Cyprus, a computer-roster of candidates interested in serving as UN Volunteers overseas. Any organisation wishing to recruit a UN Volunteer provides details of the work to be done, and through searching with key-words, the centre can identify suitable candidates' for the post; their details are drawn from the roster, and the organisation will select those to be interviewed. The roster at any time will contain details of several thousand candidates, and daily more and more applications will come in. It is therefore a policy that, especially in those skills-areas where there are already many candidates on the roster, they will only consider additional candidates who excel in some way - perhaps extremely long experience, very high qualification, or some other aspect.

It should be noted, therefore, that even if you satisfy fully the minimum requirements to be accepted on the roster, there is no guarantee that you will be accepted - indeed, more than half of all applications are rejected on the basis that there are already too many on the roster in the relevant skill area.

And then, even if you get on the roster, there is no guarantee that you will be selected for a post as a UN Volunteer. For if there are few requests from countries around the world for volunteers with your skills, then your details will remain unseen, and you may find yourself disappointed. So, whatever you do, do not stop looking for other employment simply on the basis that you have applied to go on the roster, or that you have been accepted on the roster - you may wait several years before being posted as a UNV!

How to be entered on the UNV Roster?

Applications can be made through internet (but such application will later need to be verified through hard copy), or through the old-fashioned paper-form (forms can be collected from any UNV office or national voluntary offices).

The system is this: Candidates may submit their application (including their completed 'Personal History Statement' form (PHS) , references, certificates, etc.) to UNV Processing Centre in Cyprus. If there are not already too many people of your skill area on the roster, and you satisfy the minimum  requirements (in work experience, qualification, etc.), then your details will be put on the computer, and you will be informed of this. It is then your responsibility to keep UNV informed of your continued interest in serving as a UNV, as well as of any changes in contact details, address, or significant changes in your status (e.g. if you get married, or get another academic qualification).

Tips for filling in the PHS form

Special Operations Mini-Roster

UNV also supports short-term placements under its 'Special Operations' programme - in many ex-conflict countries (such as Sierra Leone, Timor Leste, Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, etc.), there is a need for UNVs with short assignments (usually 3 to 6 months), where the work will be very intensive and stressful, and for security reasons the family members cannot accompany the volunteers. Applications can be made by submitting to the UNV office in Thimphu a Curriculum Vitae (CV) or 'biodata' as hard copy, or preferably electronically (by e-mail at unv.bhutan@undp.org or on floppy disc).

Important: You will normally have to be ready to fly within two or three weeks of being recruited.

What you should include in your CV

I am a non-Bhutanese - How can I apply specifically for Bhutan?

Many people express interest in serving as a UN Volunteer in Bhutan. However, the process described above has to be followed.  The UNV Office in Thimphu cannot accept applications directly. Those especially interested in serving in Bhutan may submit their CV, but only after they have been accepted on the UNV Roster. CVs will need to be sent (preferably electronically) and the roster number (found on the acceptance letter) must be quoted in the subject line of the e-mail attaching the CV, and also quoted within the CV itself. The CV will be kept in a mini-roster;  however, it must be pointed out that it is extremely rare for a volunteer to be placed in Bhutan through this route - much more common is through the Cyprus roster system as described above

What you should include in your CV

I am a Bhutanese  - How can I get a UNV post?

Bhutanese nationals are encouraged at any time to apply to serve as UNVs.  There are two ways to apply, and candidates may apply for either or both of the following:

For long term posts (normally 24-month), interested candidates are encouraged to apply for entry onto the UNV roster (database) - application can be made through the following ways:

• Telephone the UNV office, at UNDP Bhutan office in Thimphu (322424 ext 114) to arrange a convenient time to collect a yellow 'PHS' application form; or 
• A form can be sent to you electronically by e-mail (email us at unv.bhutan@undp.org); or 
• You can apply online by visiting the relevant page on the UNV headquarters website. You can then select the first bullet option, 'Professionals from various sectors and from any country in the world who want to share their expertise with counterparts in developing countries'

For short-term posts (normally 3 to 6 months), usually at hardship duty stations (where family members cannot accompany the UNV), applications can be made by submitting a CV as hard copy, or preferably electronically (by e-mail or on floppy disc). Remember, you will normally have to be ready to fly within two or three weeks of being offered the post.

What you should include in your CV - Read about experience of Bhutanese UNVs (pdf file)

Think carefully before you apply - it involves a great deal of work!

And, if you do apply... goodluck !

Current Recruitments