Top 20 Interview Questions & Answers for United Nations Volunteer Roles – 2025

Are you passionate about making a difference in the world? As a United Nations volunteer, your role will be to support and promote peace, human rights, and sustainable development. This guide provides a list of essential questions and answers to help you showcase your skills, experience, and commitment to serving others.

General Questions

• 1. Tell us about yourself and your background that makes you a suitable candidate for the United Nations Volunteer program.
  Answer: I have a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and have completed internships with non-governmental organizations focused on human rights and refugee advocacy. I have also participated in volunteer projects in my community, demonstrating my dedication to serving others and making a positive impact.
• 2. Why do you want to be a United Nations volunteer?
  Answer: I have always been passionate about promoting equality, justice, and peace. The United Nations is a well-respected organization that works towards these goals on a global scale. I believe that as a UN volunteer, I can contribute to creating positive change and learning from diverse cultures and perspectives.
• 3. What qualities do you possess that will make you successful in this role?
  Answer: I am highly adaptable and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. I am also a team player and can work effectively in culturally diverse environments. I have experience in project management and am well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to prioritize tasks effectively. These qualities will help me succeed as a United Nations volunteer.
• 4. How do you handle working under pressure and managing tight deadlines?
  Answer: I have experience working on multiple projects simultaneously and have developed time management skills to ensure timely completion of tasks. In high-pressure situations, I prioritize tasks, delegate when necessary, and remain calm and focused to effectively manage deadlines.
• 5. How familiar are you with the United Nations and its mission?
  Answer: I have conducted extensive research on the United Nations and its various agencies, programs, and initiatives. I understand the organization's mission to promote peace, sustainable development, and human rights globally and am familiar with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Behavioral Questions

• 6. Can you tell us about a time when you had to work with a team to achieve a common goal?
  Answer: In my previous role, I worked on a team project to develop a community outreach program. I collaborated with team members from diverse backgrounds and effectively communicated our goals and tasks, resulting in a successful program that reached a wide audience and made a positive impact in our community.
• 7. Share an experience when you had to adapt to a new cultural environment.
  Answer: During my study abroad program in Japan, I had to adjust to a new cultural environment, including different customs, food, and language. I embraced the new culture with an open mind, and through my interactions with the local community, I gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for their culture.
• 8. Have you ever faced a difficult situation in your work with a disadvantaged community? How did you handle it?
  Answer: During my internship with a refugee advocacy organization, I encountered a situation where a refugee family was facing discrimination in their host community. I worked with the local authorities and community leaders to educate them about the refugees' rights and promote acceptance and integration. As a result, the family was able to live peacefully in their new home.
• 9. Tell us about a time when you had to think outside the box to solve a problem.
  Answer: In my previous role, we faced budget cuts, and I had to find creative ways to maintain our program's quality. I collaborated with our team to develop cost-efficient strategies and implemented a volunteer recruitment and training program, resulting in significant cost savings without compromising the program's effectiveness.
• 10. Have you ever had a conflict with a team member? How did you handle it?
  Answer: In my previous role, I had a disagreement with a team member over the allocation of tasks. I approached the situation calmly and listened to their perspective. Through open communication, we were able to reach a compromise and find a solution that worked for both of us, strengthening our working relationship.

Situational Questions

• 11. You have been assigned a project with a tight deadline. How do you manage your time effectively?
  Answer: Firstly, I will prioritize the project tasks based on their urgency and importance. I will break down the project into smaller, manageable tasks and create a timeline for completing each task. I will also communicate with my team members to delegate tasks and ensure everyone is on the same page.
• 12. You have identified an opportunity to improve the efficiency of a project. How would you approach implementing this change?
  Answer: Firstly, I would gather data and analyze the current processes to identify areas for improvement. I would then discuss the potential change with the project team and stakeholders, explaining the need for the change and the benefits it will bring. Once everyone is on board, I will create a plan and effectively communicate the implementation process to ensure a smooth transition.
• 13. You are working with a team member who is not meeting project deadlines. How do you handle the situation?
  Answer: I would first discuss the issue with the team member privately, expressing my concerns and offering support if needed. If the issue persists, I would involve the project manager and work together to find a solution, such as delegating tasks or providing additional resources or training. My ultimate goal would be to support the team member in meeting the project goals and deadlines.
• 14. You have faced unexpected challenges while working on a project. How do you adjust your plan to overcome these challenges?
  Answer: I would assess the new challenges and adjust the project plan accordingly, taking into consideration the project timeline and resources. I would communicate the adjustments to the team and stakeholders to ensure everyone is aware of the changes and on board with the new plan. I would also brainstorm with the team to find innovative solutions to the challenges.
• 15. You have to make a difficult decision that will impact the community you serve. How do you ensure the decision aligns with the United Nations' values and principles?
  Answer: I will refer to the United Nations' values and principles and assess how the decision aligns with them. I will also consult with my team and stakeholders and discuss the potential impact of the decision on the community. I will make an informed decision that prioritizes the well-being of the community and is in line with the UN's values of equality, peace, and justice.

Technical Questions

• 16. How familiar are you with the United Nations' development framework, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals?
  Answer: I have conducted extensive research on the United Nations' development framework and the Sustainable Development Goals. I understand the goals and targets and how they contribute to promoting sustainable development globally.
• 17. Can you describe your experience in project management and your knowledge of project management methodologies?
  Answer: In my previous role, I managed various projects, including developing project plans, monitoring progress, and ensuring timely completion. I am familiar with agile and waterfall project management methodologies, and I have experience using project management tools and software.
• 18. How comfortable are you working with diverse groups of people and accommodating different cultural norms and practices?
  Answer: One of my strengths is my ability to work effectively in diverse teams. I have experience collaborating with individuals from various backgrounds and cultures, and I am committed to learning and respecting different norms and practices to promote inclusivity and cultural diversity.
• 19. How knowledgeable are you about the United Nations' policies and procedures?
  Answer: I have a good understanding of the United Nations' policies and procedures and have conducted training on the organization's code of conduct. I am also familiar with the Code of Ethics and the Whistleblower Protection Policy.
• 20. Can you describe your experience in data analysis and reporting?
  Answer: In my previous roles, I have collected and analyzed data to measure project outcomes and progress towards goals. I am proficient in using data analysis tools, such as Microsoft Excel and Google Analytics, and have experience creating visual reports to effectively communicate data to stakeholders.