If you’re over 18 and are studying in a field related to FAO’s work, you might consider applying to be a volunteer with the Organization.

Remember, volunteering means you’re not paid. If you volunteer to work for FAO, you receive no salary and no assistance with your travel or living expenses.

Volunteers are not staff members of the Organization. FAO provides volunteers with documentation certifying that they are volunteering with FAO, which can be used to obtain a visa, if necessary. During their assignment volunteers will receive insurance and compensation exclusively for service-incurred illness, injury or death.

Volunteer assignments don’t normally exceed 120 working days. At the end of the assignment, the volunteer receives a certificate of appreciation.

And keep in mind, volunteer assignments aren’t meant to lead to a staff position within the Organization. In fact, a former volunteer can’t be employed by the Organization for at least six months following the assignment.

General requirements

• Minimum 18 years of age
• Citizen of a FAO Member Nation
• Have appropriate residence or immigration status in the country of assignment
• Fluency in one of the working languages of FAO (English, French, Spanish, Arabic and Chinese)
• Not a close relative of an FAO staff member.

How to apply

You have to prepare a written proposal (maximum two pages) for an assignment, describing the objectives and the expected results of your voluntary work with FAO.

Then you have to fill out and submit an FAO Personal History Form.

You can download a blank Personal History form by clicking on the link below:
A4 or letter format

Send your proposal and completed Personal History form to: Volunteer-Programme.

Please keep in mind, not everyone who applies will be accepted.