UN Affairs & Global Policy Engagement Volunteer

About GLOWA

Global Welfare Association (GLOWA) is a survivor-led community-based nonprofit organization working to prevent and respond to child abuse and exploitation, violence, discrimination and other forms of vulnerability affecting children, women and communities in conflict-affected Cameroon.

GLOWA combines survivor leadership, community protection, trauma-informed support, education, livelihoods, research and advocacy to strengthen protection systems and create pathways to recovery and resilience.

GLOWA holds ECOSOC Special Consultative Status with the United Nations and is seeking to strengthen its engagement with relevant organizations and mechanisms of the UN system and other global policy institutions.

About the Volunteer Opportunity

GLOWA is looking for a strategic and research-oriented UN Affairs & Global Policy Engagement Volunteer to support the organization in developing stronger relationships with UN entities, international organizations, policy platforms and global networks.

This is not a general administrative volunteer role. The successful volunteer will help GLOWA understand the UN system, identify relevant entry points and opportunities, monitor global policy developments, prepare engagement materials and support strategic outreach.

The volunteer will work remotely with GLOWA's leadership and relevant program teams and will contribute to building the organization's visibility and participation in international policy spaces.

Key Responsibilities

The volunteer will:

• Research UN agencies, programs, funds, mechanisms, offices and relevant international organizations whose mandates align with GLOWA's work.
• Identify strategic opportunities for GLOWA to engage with the UN system, including consultations, calls for submissions, side events, conferences, observances, campaigns, partnerships, fellowship opportunities and relevant funding or collaboration opportunities.
• Monitor developments within the UN system and identify global policy issues relevant to GLOWA's work on child protection, child abuse and exploitation, women's rights, survivor protection, education, livelihoods, trauma-informed recovery, climate resilience and conflict-affected communities.
• Prepare concise research briefs, policy notes, opportunity briefs and background documents for GLOWA's leadership.
• Research relevant UN resolutions, reports, frameworks, conventions, Sustainable Development Goals and international policy commitments and identify their relevance to GLOWA's work.
• Help map relevant UN officials, programs, working groups, civil society mechanisms, networks and potential institutional partners.
• Support preparation of concept notes, expressions of interest, statements, submissions, briefing notes and other materials for international engagement.
• Help identify opportunities for GLOWA to participate in UN consultations, hearings, conferences, side events, expert discussions and civil society engagement mechanisms.
• Support strategic correspondence and follow-up with relevant UN and international organizations.
• Maintain an organized database of UN engagement opportunities, contacts, deadlines and follow-up actions.
• Track GLOWA's international engagement and help develop recommendations for strengthening its UN and global policy presence.
• Contribute ideas for positioning GLOWA's survivor-led experience and community-based models within relevant global policy discussions.

Qualifications

Required:

• Strong interest in international affairs, global policy, human rights, development, humanitarian affairs, child protection, women's rights or related fields.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Ability to identify relevant information from UN and other institutional sources and synthesize it clearly.
• Strong written English.
• Good understanding of professional communication and research practices.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage deadlines.
• Commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality, ethical engagement and GLOWA's mission.

Preferred:

• Academic or professional background in international relations, international law, human rights, development studies, political science, public policy, humanitarian affairs, social sciences or a related discipline.
• Familiarity with the UN system and its agencies, programs, funds, mechanisms or civil society engagement processes.
• Experience preparing policy briefs, research papers, concept notes, advocacy materials or institutional correspondence.
• Experience with international organizations, NGOs, policy institutions, research organizations or civil society networks.
• Knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and major international human rights or child protection frameworks.
• French language skills are an advantage but are not mandatory.

Who would be a Good Fit?

This opportunity is particularly suitable for:

• Graduate students and recent graduates interested in international affairs or global policy.
• International relations, international law, human rights, development or public policy professionals seeking practical experience.
• Researchers and policy analysts interested in translating research into organizational action.
• Professionals with experience working with the UN system or international organizations.
• Individuals who want to contribute their expertise to a survivor-led organization working in a conflict-affected context.

What the Volunteer Will Gain

The volunteer will gain practical experience in:

• UN system research and engagement.
• Global policy monitoring and analysis.
• International NGO positioning and advocacy.
• Preparation of policy and institutional documents.
• Mapping international partnerships and engagement opportunities.
• Strategic communications with international institutions.
• Understanding how civil society organizations can engage with the UN system.

The volunteer will also have the opportunity to contribute to the international positioning of a survivor-led organization from Cameroon and support efforts to bring community and survivor perspectives into global policy discussions.