Summary
- Programme: FAO Regular Volunteer Programme – Headquarters (HQ)
- Organisation: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- Location: Rome, Italy
- Job Type: Non-staff opportunity – Volunteer Programme
- Duration: Up to 6 months
- Deadline: 31 December 2026
- Minimum Education: Completed secondary school
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Eligible Nationality: Nationals of FAO Member Nations
- Languages: Working knowledge of at least one FAO official language
- Remuneration: None
- Application Method: FAO official recruitment portal
- Reference: Vacancy Announcement 2601985
About the FAO Volunteer Programme
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has opened a Call for Expressions of Interest for its Regular Volunteer Programme at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy.
The programme provides opportunities for volunteers to contribute their skills and experience to FAO’s work in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and FAO’s Strategic Framework.
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Get Your Copy →FAO works internationally to address hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition while supporting the transformation of agrifood systems to become more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable. Volunteers selected through this call will contribute to areas relevant to FAO’s mission and work, under the supervision of an assigned supervisor.
The current headquarters call is based in Rome, Italy, and assignments can last up to a maximum of six months. The specific duties will depend on the Terms of Reference prepared by the FAO office hosting the volunteer.
Scholarship Benefits
This is a volunteer programme, not a paid employment or scholarship programme.
According to the official FAO announcement:
- Volunteers gain an opportunity to contribute to the work and mandate of a United Nations specialized agency.
- Selected volunteers may undertake assignments of up to six months.
- Volunteers work in a relevant area connected with FAO’s mission and activities.
- Volunteers work under an assigned supervisor in an international and multicultural environment.
- The programme provides practical exposure to FAO’s work and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- FAO does not provide remuneration to volunteers.
- FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Applicants should therefore understand that this opportunity does not represent a salary-paying position.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must satisfy the requirements stated in the official vacancy announcement.
Candidates must:
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Be a national of an FAO Member Nation.
- Have completed secondary school education.
- Have working knowledge of at least one FAO official language: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish.
- Be able to adapt to an international and multicultural environment.
- Have good communication skills.
- Have relevant working or research experience in a field connected with the work of FAO.
- Have appropriate residence or immigration status in the proposed country of assignment before joining FAO.
- Not have a mother, father, sister, brother, daughter or son employed by FAO under any type of contractual arrangement.
FAO also encourages qualified applicants from non- and under-represented Member Nations, as well as qualified women, persons with disabilities and candidates from certain developing-country groups identified in the announcement.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Review the Official Vacancy
Read the official FAO vacancy announcement, Reference 2601985, and confirm that you satisfy the stated requirements.
Step 2: Create or Update Your FAO Profile
Visit the FAO recruitment portal and complete your online candidate profile. FAO recommends providing accurate and complete information, including employment records, academic qualifications and language skills.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
Applicants are required to attach a motivation letter and a copy of their academic qualifications to their online profile.
Step 4: Submit the Application
After completing your profile, select the volunteer opportunity and submit the application through the official FAO recruitment portal.
Only applications received through the official recruitment portal will be considered, and incomplete applications will not be considered.
Step 5: Await the Selection Process
FAO will screen applications using the information provided in applicants’ profiles. Only qualified applicants will be contacted directly for interviews by the relevant hiring office, and selected candidates will subsequently be contacted.
Step 6: Prepare for the Assignment
If selected, the volunteer must have the appropriate residence or immigration status in the proposed country of assignment before joining FAO.
Important Deadline
The official Call for Expression of Interest closes on 31 December 2026 at 2:59 PM according to the FAO recruitment announcement. The vacancy was posted on 21 September 2026.
The duration of an assignment under this headquarters volunteer call is up to six months.
Candidates who are not selected before the closing date but wish to remain under consideration for future assignments are required to re-apply when a new call is issued.
Related Opportunities
You may also explore these opportunities previously published by AK Travels LTD:
- UNICEF Venture Fund Internship 2026 in Sweden
- WHO Health Department Internship 2027 in Switzerland
- GCF IT Internship 2026 in South Korea
Official Application Link
Final Note from AK Travels LTD
The FAO Regular Volunteer Programme offers an opportunity to gain experience within the work of a United Nations specialized agency in Rome. However, applicants should take note that FAO does not provide remuneration for volunteers, and the opportunity should therefore not be presented as a paid job or fully funded scholarship.
Applicants should submit their applications only through the official FAO recruitment portal and should ensure that their profile, motivation letter and academic documentation are complete before submission.
FAO also states that it does not charge fees at any stage of recruitment. Applicants should be cautious of anyone requesting payment in connection with this opportunity.
For more verified international opportunities, visit http://www.aktravelsltd.com.
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