UN Climate Volunteer (COP31 UN Pavilion)

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Resident Coordinator system brings together UN entities to provide coordinated support for national development priorities and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Resident Coordinator leads the UN Country Team, while the Resident Coordinator Office supports joint planning, partnerships and development finance, data and results management, and communications and advocacy. In Türkiye, the RCO supports the UN Country Team’s engagement with the Government and other partners under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2026–2030. Its coordination role helps align the contributions of UN entities with national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals, including through dialogue and cooperation on climate action.

Context

The thirty-first session of the Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026. The UN Conference provides a forum for international cooperation on the global response to climate change and engagement among governments, UN entities, and other stakeholders. United Nations Volunteers (UN Volunteers) will support the RCO and participating UN partners in delivering UN Pavilion activities and related conference events. UN Volunteers will provide visitor reception, practical side-event support, administrative and logistical assistance, and social media coverage (including shooting videos, photos, and drafting clear communication texts) under the guidance of designated RCO focal points. This UNV assignment will help maintain an organized and inclusive UN Pavilion, support timely coordination of UN-led events, and make approved climate action information accessible to visitors and digital audiences. Duties will be undertaken during the agreed operational period of 8 - 21 November 2026, for the entire period, from the UN Pavilion’s opening to its closing, excluding the non-working day of 15 November 2026. COP31 information: https://unfccc.int/cop31/the-road-to-antalya COP31 Turkiye webpage: https://cop31.tr/tr UN in Turkiye: https://turkiye.un.org/en UN Turkiye Social Media Platforms: https://linktr.ee/unturkiye

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the RCO-designated COP31 Focal Points, the UN Volunteer will support the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office in Türkiye for UN Pavillion and participating UN entities in Antalya. The UN Volunteer will:

• Attend required orientation, training, and security briefings, and follow venue access procedures and the agreed shift roster.
• Welcome pavilion visitors, delegates, guests, and speakers; provide approved information about programmes, events, and schedules; and guide participants to meeting rooms, exhibition areas, and side-event venues.
• Assist with visitor registration, seating arrangements, and participant flow, helping maintain a welcoming, accessible, inclusive, and well-organized pavilion throughout assigned shifts.
• Support preparations for UN-led side events, panel discussions, workshops, and presentations, including guest lists, meeting materials, signage, venue readiness, and transitions between activities.
• Assist speakers, moderators, and event organizers with practical arrangements and guest reception; support protocol activities as instructed; and promptly communicate schedule changes, delays, and operational concerns to designated focal points.
• Assist the RCO communications team with basic event coverage by gathering accurate information, taking approved photographs and short videos, and preparing brief updates, social media posts, captions, and stories.
• Support approved UN messages on climate action, sustainability, and volunteerism. Follow applicable UN branding, safeguarding, consent, confidentiality, and communications clearance procedures. Submit content for review and publish or share it only after authorization from the responsible UN communications team.
• Distribute approved informational and promotional materials, and provide basic administrative and logistical assistance, including meeting preparation and organization of event materials.
• Support coordination among the RCO, participating UN entities, conference organizers, and volunteers by relaying practical information through agreed channels and providing clear handovers.
• Work cooperatively in a multicultural environment, demonstrate reliability and professionalism, and promote respect, inclusion, accessibility, and volunteerism.
• Contribute to a brief end-of-assignment reflection or handover, as requested, and carry out other relevant duties within the agreed scope of the assignment.
• Any other duty assigned by the supervisor.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Clear communication
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism and respect for diversity
• Self-management
• Teamwork and commitment to learning

Living conditions and remarks

This is a volunteer assignment, not employment. By sharing your time, energy, and talents, you can support communities in need and become part of something greater than yourself — a global movement for peace, development, and humanitarian aid. Volunteering strengthens trust, solidarity, and reciprocity among citizens, and it can promote a sense of belonging and purpose. The UN Volunteers will be based in Antalya. The UN Volunteers are responsible for arranging their own housing (accommodation), transportation, and other living essentials for the entire duration of their UNV assignments Operational period: 8 - 21 November 2026 at COP31 Blue Zone, for the entire period, from the UN Pavilion’s opening to its closing each day (non-working date: 15 November 2026). UN Volunteers will serve in a busy international UN conference setting and must follow applicable UN security guidance and the instructions of designated RCO focal points. Orientation and security briefings will cover practical arrangements for venue access, emergency procedures, and reporting operational concerns. Summary of this national UN Volunteer entitlement:

• Volunteer Living Allowance (paid in Turkish Lira): USD 372
• Accident insurance coverage provided by Cigna, a private insurance company Notes: 1) The allowances are in no way to be understood as salary, compensation, or reward in exchange for the volunteer work. The volunteer living allowance will be paid upon successful completion of the assignment, following the conclusion of the COP31 event, in November and/or December 2026 in accordance with the UN system's monthly payroll schedule. 2) Assigned duties fall within 8 - 21 November 2026; 15 November 2026 is non-working day. 3) The full entitlements at the duty station: https://app.unv.org/calculator 4) UNV Conditions of Service and Code of Conduct: https://explore.unv.org/cos 5) Accreditation to access Blue Zone: All participants of Blue Zone (including UN Volunteers, speakers, etc.) must hold valid UNFCCC accreditation to access the COP31 Blue Zone. The host entity will submit the request upon receipt of the required information and documents from the selected candidates. The final assessment and decision on granting access will be made by the COP31 authorities based on the candidates’ officially declared information and supporting documentation. This will also be a determining factor in the issuance and validity of the UNV contract.