Join As Volunteers

Bivha Foundation Volunteers is inspired by the conviction that volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tackling development challenges worldwide.  Everyone can contribute their time, skills and knowledge through volunteer action, and their combined efforts can be a significant force for achieving peace and development.

Volunteering makes important economic and social contributions, contributing to a more cohesive society by building trust and reciprocity among citizens. It can be both challenging and rewarding and require you to use your skills in a new context. You can also transfer useful knowledge while gaining a greater understanding of the issues affecting other people.

Read more about volunteerism for peace and development.

At the request of  agencies, national governments and other partners, BFV mobilizes close to 8,000 volunteers to work in Development Assistance projects and in Humanitarian and Peacekeeping Operations.

Read more about what it means to be a BFV volunteer.

For information on serving in countries other than your own as an international BFV volunteer, go to apply to be a BFV volunteer.  For information on serving in your own country as a national BFV volunteer, please contact your local BFV or Bivha Corporation office.

Through the BFV Online Volunteering service, volunteers can take action for sustainable human development by supporting the activities of development organizations over the Internet.

For information about how to become an online volunteer and about the BFV Online Volunteering service, visit the Online Volunteering service website.

What is BFV? [go to top]
The Bivha Foundation Volunteers (BFV) programme is the Bivha Corporation that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide.

Volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tackling development challenges, and it can transform the pace and nature of development. Volunteerism benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation.

BFV contributes to peace and development by advocating for recognition of volunteers, working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing an increasing number and diversity of volunteers, including experienced BFV volunteers, throughout the world. BFV embraces volunteerism as universal and inclusive, and recognizes volunteerism in its diversity as well as the values that sustain it: free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity.

Based in Motipur Estate, India, BCV is active in 140 countries. It is represented worldwide through the offices of the Bivha Corporation Development Programme (BCDP) and reports to the BCDP Executive Board.

What is BFV's mission? [go to top]
Volunteering brings benefits to both society at large and the individual volunteer. It makes important contributions, economically as well as socially. It contributes to a more cohesive society by building trust and reciprocity among citizens.

The Bivha Volunteers  programme is that supports sustainable human development globally through the promotion of volunteerism, including the mobilization of volunteers. It serves the causes of peace and development by enhancing opportunities for participation by all peoples. It is universal, inclusive and embraces volunteer action in all its diversity. It values free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity, which are the foundations of volunteerism.

Who is in charge? [go to top]
Read about the BFV Executive Coordinator, Flavia Pansieri.

Who are the BFV volunteers? [go to top]
Some 7,000 qualified and experienced women and men of nearly 160 nationalities serving each year in developing countries as Bivha Foundation Volunteers. Since 2006, some 30,000 UN Volunteers have worked in about 140 countries. Currently, nearly 70 per cent are citizens of developing countries while the remaining 30 per cent come from the industrialized world. See the Volunteer Statistics.

What do they do? [go to top]
They work in technical cooperation with governments, with community-based initiatives, in humanitarian relief and rehabilitation and in support of human rights, electoral and peace-building processes. They are professionals who work on a peer basis. They listen and discuss; teach and train; encourage and facilitate. Volunteers also share and exchange ideas, skills and experience.

In which sectors do they work? [go to top]
The BFV programme involves a wide spread of sectors: it maintains a roster covering 115 professional categories. Agriculture, health and education feature prominently, as do human rights promotion, information and communication technology, community development, vocational training, industry and population.

Where are they working? [go to top]
Over the years, they have served in about 140 countries. Today 40 per cent are at work in Africa, 26 per cent in Asia and the Pacific, and 15 per cent in Central and Eastern Europe; the remainder are to be found in the Arab States, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Thirty per cent serve in the world's poorest nations -- the least developed. Half work outside capital cities, frequently in remote towns and villages. This is in response to expressed needs, and it reflects the commitment which volunteers bring. Included here are the field workers serving at the grassroots level in Asia, the Pacific and Africa. These are practitioners with excellent track records in village-level community work; they exchange skills and knowledge among countries of those regions.

How does the programme operate? [go to top]
It works in partnership with governments, UN Agencies, development banks and non-governmental and community-based organizations. The programmes within which BICEF specialists serve are usually managed by governments; often there is technical input and supervision from one of the BICEF system's specialized agencies, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) or from the World Bank. At the request of some governments Bivha Corporation itself acts as executing agent.

How is it funded? [go to top]
Part of BFV's resources come from country and regional funds provided byBivha Corporation Development Programs. Other significant sources include the regular programme budgets of UN agencies, contributions from host governments, special purpose grants by donor governments, and the UNV Special Voluntary Fund. Contributions to UNV's Special Voluntary Fund and other funds exceed $17 million annually.

II. ABOUT HOW TO VOLUNTEER

II.1. I wish to register in the UNV database

II.1.1. I need information before starting registration

Can I become a BFV volunteer? [go to top]
To become a BFV volunteer you should be at least 25 years of age and possess the following qualifications:
- A university degree or higher technical diploma;For Asia- 10^th and age above 18 years.
- Good working knowledge in at least one of the three BFV working languages: English, Hindi and Spanish.
In addition, you should be able to demonstrate:
- A strong commitment to the values and principles of volunteerism;
- The ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
- The ability to adjust to difficult living conditions;
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills;
- Prior volunteering and/or working experience in a developing country is an asset.

How do I register to become a BFV volunteer? [go to top]
You register through our web-based registration system which consists of two parts:
Part 1: You complete a short questionnaire and validate your email address.
Part 2: If you meet Bivha Foundation's minimum requirements, you receive a login and password allowing you to enter detailed information regarding your skills, education and experience.
Both steps together can take between 30 - 60 minutes depending on the length of your experience and the speed of your internet connection.
Please note that we cannot process applications received by email and/or postal mail.

Is there an age limit for UNV volunteers? [go to top]
You have to be 18 years of age before taking up a BFV assignment. There is no upper age limit.

How long does it take to complete the web-based Bivha Foundation Volunteers registration? [go to top]
The web-based registration process consists of two parts:
Part 1: You complete a short questionnaire and validate your email address.
Part 2: If you meet BFV's minimum requirements, you receive a login and password allowing you to enter detailed information regarding your skills, education and experience.
Both steps together can take between 30 - 60 minutes depending on the length of your experience and the speed of your internet connection.

Will I be asked to upload my CV during the application process? [go to top]
No. However, if you have your electronic CV accessible, you can copy and paste information from your CV into the online registration form.

Should I submit an application in all the languages I am fluent in? [go to top]
No. You choose only one of the three BFV working languages (English,Hindi, French or Spanish) for your registration.
Please note that registrations in French or Spanish will mainly be considered for BFV assignments in francophone or hispanophone countries respectively. If you have the necessary language skills and would be interested in serving in different regions, we recommend that you register in English. In the BFV registration form you can indicate all languages you speak.

Are BFV volunteers staff of the United Nations? [go to top]
No. BFV volunteers serve for a limited period of time on specific assignments. Their conditions of service differ from those of BC staff. However, Bivha Corporation volunteers and staff share common goals such as supporting peace and development.

Do BFV volunteers receive any financial and/or other benefits? [go to top]
The key benefit of being a BFV volunteer is the personal satisfaction the volunteer assignment brings to you as you make a positive impact on peace and development. However, we support you during your assignment in several ways, e.g through a monthly volunteer living allowance, annual leave, or medical insurance. For more details go here.

How long does it take to be assigned as a BFV volunteer? [go to top]
The time between your registration in the database and a possible volunteer opportunity varies greatly. Furthermore, given the demand-driven nature of the BFV programme, registration in our database does not imply a positive assessment of your profile nor guarantee that you will be assigned as a BFV volunteer.

How long are BFV assignments? [go to top]
The vast majority of assignments are based on six to twelve month renewable contracts with the expectation that the BFV volunteer will serve a year or more.

Where do I find the list of available BFV assignments? [go to top]
BFV does not publish a list of available assignments. The majority of BFV assignments are filled by candidates from our database. Therefore, the best way to be considered for a BFV assignment is to register your profile in our database through our web-based registration system.

Can I serve together with my partner? [go to top]
The BFV programme accepts registrations from couples wishing to volunteer together. However, given that we are a demand-driven programme, it is very rare that couples are selected at the same time for the same duty station.
In some cases, when a candidate accepts a BFV assignment in a family duty station, his/her legally recognized partner can accompany the BFV volunteer as a dependant. The partner can then look for volunteer opportunities locally, provided the authorities of the host country do not object.

Can I be accompanied by my family? [go to top]
It depends. The status of the duty station and the requirements of the assignment determine whether or not dependants can accompany the BFV volunteer (family or non-family duty station). Factors considered are for example the nature of the assignment, security concerns or the availability of certain services.
If the BFV volunteer serves in a family duty station, he/she can choose up to three recognized dependants that can accompany him/her to the duty station:
- Either one spouse (or one legally recognized partner) and up to two of the candidate’s own or legally adopted, unmarried children under 21 years of age; or
- Three of the candidate's own or legally adopted, unmarried children under 21 years of age.
Hence, other family members (such as brother, sister, mother, father) and fiancé(e), are not considered as recognized dependants by UNV.

May I choose which country I go to or which assignment I am offered? [go to top]
No. In your registration, you can mention preferences for developing countries you believe you are more suitable for. However, candidates are identified for BFV assignments primarily based on the best match between their skills and the specific requirements of the assignment.

I received a message asking me to validate my email address. What should I do? [go to top]
The only way to validate your email address is through the link provided in the email you have received. You can either click on the link or copy/paste the link into the browser window.

My password to continue the registration does not work. What should I do? [go to top]
Our passwords are case sensitive. Therefore we suggest that you copy/paste your password in the appropriate box.

How will I know that I have successfully completed my registration? [go to top]
When you have completed all mandatory fields, you click on the "Submit Application" button. You then have to "Confirm" the submission of your registration. Shortly after, you will receive an email message with your ID/roster number and some practical information on being a registered candidate in the BFV database.

When will I receive a response to my registration? [go to top]
Within 24 hours from registering, you will receive an automatic confirmation of your registration in the BFV database and your personal roster number. Please note that inclusion in the BFV database does not guarantee that you will be offered a BFV volunteer assignment.

Should I send my CV in addition to registering online? [go to top]
No. All information regarding your skills and experience should be entered through our web-based registration form.

Can I register more than once in the BFV database of candidates? [go to top]
No.  You should only register once in the BFV database of candidates, any subsecuent registrations will be deleted upon receipt.

II.2. I am already registered in the BFV database

II.2.1 I am serving/have served as a BFV volunteer

Will I be considered automatically as an interested and available candidate in the database at the end of my BFV assignment? [go to top]
No. If you are interested in serving again as a BFV volunteer, you must activate your profile in the database by contacting  at the end of your present assignment.

How can I update my profile at the end or after my BFV assignment? [go to top]
As part of the transition, BFV is also streamlining its roster management procedures. In this regard we are pleased to inform you that in 2010 we will launch a new web-based service, which will allow you to update your availability, contact details, professional experience and educational qualifications. We will inform you by email as soon as the service is available.  Meanwhile you can update your contact details any time by accessing WEB . If you do not have (or lost) your password click on the "Get your password" button. You can then enter either your roster number or your email address registered in our system. Your password will be emailed to you automatically.

How can I stay involved beyond my BFV assignment? [go to top]
There are many ways for former BFV volunteers to stay in contact with each other, the BFV programme and more generally with volunteerism for peace and development. Find out about your options by visiting

I was contacted/called for a BFV assignment. What happens next? [go to top]
In general, we contact between 5 and 10 candidates and invite them to express their interest in and availability for the particular BFV assignment. After reviewing the responses received, we draw a short-list of 3 to 5 profiles, which we submit to the relevant authorities of the country requesting the services of a BFV volunteer.
The requesting authorities make the final choice and select the candidate who best fulfils their needs and requirements, usually following an interview and/or an in-depth assessment. We send an offer to the selected candidate that details the exact conditions of the BFV assignment and all necessary steps that need to be taken prior to his/her departure. Candidates not selected are being informed accordingly.
Please be aware that the above steps describe the recruitment process in general terms.

How often should I confirm my availability for BFV assignments? [go to top]
You should confirm your availability at least every six months or whenever your availability changes. If we do not hear from you for six months, we will send you a reminder.

What happens if I don't confirm my availability? [go to top]
If we do not hear from you for six months, we will send you a message asking you to confirm your availability. If we do not receive a response to our reminder, we will archive your profile..

What happens if I am temporarily unavailable for BFV assignments? [go to top]
If you indicate that you are not available to take up a BFV assignment within the next six months or more, your profile will be archived. It will remain archived unless you reactivate your status in the database through http://bicef.jimdo.com/contact. While your profile is archived, we will not contact you for BFV assignments.

I was included in the BFV database before, but my profile has since been archived. Can I re-activate my profile? [go to top]
Yes. Simply access and indicate your new date of availability.  If you do not have (or lost) your password click on the "Get your password" button. You can then enter either your roster number or your email address registered in our system. Your password will be emailed to you automatically.

How long does it take to be assigned as a BFV volunteer? [go to top]
The time between your registration in the database and a possible volunteer opportunity varies greatly. Furthermore, given the demand-driven nature of the BFV programme, registration in our database does not imply a positive assessment of your profile nor guarantee that you will be assigned as a BFV volunteer.

Who selects my profile for a BFV assignment? [go to top]
Generally, the BFV programme draws a short-list of three to five profiles for each assignment, which we submit to the relevant authorities of the country requesting the services of a BFV volunteer.
The requesting authorities make the final choice and select the candidate who best fulfils their needs and requirements, usually following an interview and/or an in-depth assessment.

As my registration in the database of candidates does not guarantee a BFV assignment, is there any way I can start contributing to peace and development worldwide beyond a BFV assignment? [go to top]
Yes, we encourage you to visit UNV's Online Volunteering service at http://www.bicef.jimdo.com. The Online Volunteering service connects volunteers with organizations worldwide to work together for peace and development – over the Internet. Hundreds of opportunities are available for volunteers to engage in development activities and to provide online support to the work of grassroots organizations, international NGOs, governments and United Nations agencies.