FAO Regular Volunteer Programme: Open to All Member Countries
FAO Regular Volunteer Programme: Putting Yourself to Work Against Global Hunger
The FAO Regular Volunteer Programme mobilizes nationals of FAO member countries to support the organization’s work on the ground, in direct connection with FAO’s Strategic Framework and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This isn’t symbolic volunteering. Assignments tie directly into FAO’s mission to end hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity worldwide.
Of every FAO opportunity we’ve covered on this site, this is probably the one with the lowest barrier to entry. There’s no degree requirement, no upper age limit, and it’s open to citizens of any FAO member country, full stop.
What the FAO Regular Volunteer Programme Actually Offers
Volunteers are assigned tasks based on the organization’s needs at the time, always aligned with FAO’s strategic objectives and the SDGs. In most cases, you’ll be placed at an FAO office or project in your own country or country of residence, which removes the relocation costs that put so many international programs out of reach.
One thing to be clear on: FAO does not pay any remuneration to Regular Volunteers. What it does cover, in full, is medical coverage for anything service-related, with FAO paying the entire premium. You’re responsible for arranging your own insurance for anything not service-related during the assignment, and accommodation is also on you, or on a sponsoring association if you have one.
What you get in return is genuine, hands-on experience inside a specialized UN agency, exposure to a real multicultural working environment, and a network that can open doors to paid opportunities down the line, including FAO’s own internship track or other roles inside the UN system.
FAO Regular Volunteer Programme: Eligibility Criteria
To apply, you need to meet the following:
- Be a national of an FAO member country
- Have completed secondary school education. No university degree is required
- Have working knowledge of at least one FAO official language: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian. A second official language is considered an asset
- Be 18 or older, with no upper age limit. FAO’s own FAQ page confirms that a 70-year-old applicant is fully eligible
- Be able to adapt to an international, multicultural environment, communicate well, and use basic computer programs
- Hold appropriate residence or immigration status in the country where you’d be assigned
One restriction worth knowing: if you have a close family member, defined as a brother, sister, mother, father, son, or daughter, employed by FAO under any type of contract, you’re not eligible for this program.
Assignment Length and Conditions
An FAO Regular Volunteer assignment cannot exceed six months. Depending on what FAO needs at the time, volunteers can be assigned very different kinds of work, always tied back to the organization’s strategic objectives. As mentioned, the preference is to place you in your own country or country of residence rather than somewhere entirely new.
How to Apply
- Check FAO’s official careers portal for an open “Call for Expression of Interest” for the Volunteer Programme
- Apply online, and make sure you attach a motivation letter to your application
- Wait to hear back. Only candidates selected for an interview are contacted directly by the hiring office
One detail FAO spells out clearly in its own FAQ: it doesn’t keep a roster of past applicants. If you’re not selected under one Call and you’re still interested, you’ll need to reapply the next time a new Call is published.
Official programme page: fao.org/employment/young-talent-programme/volunteer-programme
Frequently asked questions: fao.org/employment/young-talent-programme/volunteer-programme/faqs
If you’d rather start with a paid position at FAO and already have a relevant degree, our article on the FAO Internship Program covers a $700 monthly stipend option for students and recent graduates. And if remote, flexible volunteering is more your speed, the United Nations Internship Program is worth a look too.
Final Thoughts
The FAO Regular Volunteer Programme is, above all, an accessible way to contribute directly to the fight against hunger, without a university degree standing in your way and without an age cutoff working against you. It’s not the right fit if you need immediate income, since there’s no pay involved, but it’s a genuine way to build your resume, make real connections inside the UN system, and for many people, take the first real step toward paid roles at FAO down the line.
Since there’s no fixed deadline and no waiting list, your best move is to check FAO’s careers portal regularly and apply as soon as a Call for Expression of Interest matches your profile.
