Application Procedure - The VSO volunteer journey from application to departure

Before you apply, please ask yourself the following questions:

Are you a Romanian Citizen?
Are you aged between 20 and 75?
Do you speak English well enough to be able to work (or even teach) in a totally foreign country?
Have you checked that you have the required qualifications and experience?
Are you genuinely interested in volunteering and in helping disadvantaged people?
Are you available to leave overseas sometime in the course of the next 12 months?
Can you stay for up to 2 years in a developing country from Africa or Asia and live a simple, often much more slow-paced life, on a modest living allowance?
Are you a flexible and tolerant person? You will live and work in a country with a totally different culture, religion, climate, language and even hygiene standards. Check out here the qualities we look for in a volunteer.
Are you prepared to invest the necessary time and effort into the required self-briefing and training before going overseas?
Have you read all the information available on this website and furthermore on the VSO UK website?

How to apply

If the answer to all the above questions is YES, please go to www.vso.org.uk in order to register your application online. VSO will evaluate your professional background and abilities against current and forecasted volunteer demand from its partners in Africa and Asia and will give you a feedback about your application.

Once VSO assessors decide, based on your CV, that your skills and qualifications are suitable for the current volunteer demand received from partners in Africa & Asia, you will be invited to fill in the VSO Application Form and to schedule your attendance to an Assessment Day in London. Once selected, volunteers are matched to a suitable volunteer placement, go through 2 compusory training sessions and start their departure preparations under the guidance of VSO staff.

STEPS TO BECOME A VSO VOLUNTEER

APPLICATION: VSO receives your online registration.
If your skills are suitable for VSO's overseas partners:
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You will be asked to fill in the
Application Form
and will be invited for an Assessment Day.
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SELECTION: Assessment Day in London.
If you are selected to become a VSO volunteer:
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You will be sent an Information Pack
along with medical forms to be filled. You will be asked to start medical preparations and send some documents to VSO. VSO will then start searching for a suitable Volunteer Placement for you.
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Training 1: Preparing to Volunteer (P2V).
3 days (Fri. evening to Mon. morning)
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VSO matches you to a suitable Volunteer Placement
(you will be offered 2-3 placement choices, depending on the particularities of your application)
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Other pre-departure preparations
(visa, vaccines, personal arrangements for your social contribution fund, etc.)
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Training 2: Skills for Working in Development (SKWID) and Health & Security briefing
(4 days - Wed. to Sun.)
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DEPARTURE
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In-country training: local language and culture
(from a few days up to 3 months)
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You start your placement

In order to cover all the steps and preparations, from applying to going on a volunteer placement it usually takes aprox. 6 to 8 months.

The Application Procedure

Based on your detailed CV, VSO will assess your professional profile to decide whether an overseas partner is likely to ask for your skills and experience in the near future. We might also ask you to give us additional details.

If this step is successful, VSO will invite you to fill in an Application Form . We will also take up personal and professional references and invite you to an Assessment Day in London.

The Assessment Process

The Assessment Day is the main selection threshold. It includes a variety of group and individual activities, along with an extensive interview. These elements enable VSO to look for the personal qualities you’ll need to meet the challenge of living and working overseas:

self-assurance
flexibility and adaptability
a flair for solving problems
ability to work in a team
sensitivity to the needs of others
a desire to learn and help others learn
a positive and realistic commitment to volunteering.

We’ll ask you to give examples of times and situations where you’ve used these qualities. Based on your overall performance, the VSO Assessors will decide whether you are suitable for living and working in a developing country and whether you are likely to be able to carry out a long-term VSO placement.

Please note that the Assessment Day will take place in the UK, at VSO's headquarters in London and that you will have to cover most of your travel and accommodation expenses for this step. Due to its limited financial resources, VSO will be able to reimburse only a small part of your expenses* (conditions apply).

The Matching Process

If your assessment is successful you’ll be allocated a VSO placement advisor (VPA). They’ll be your main point of contact with VSO until you go overseas. Their job is to help you find the right opportunity and work with you through the administrative process.

In matching you with a placement, we’ll try to accommodate any personal preferences you may have. A successful match often depends on flexibility from all sides. The number of placements for which you might be considered will depend on:

your qualifications and experience
the number of requests for your skills that VSO receives
the number of volunteers with skills similar to yours.

If your placement advisor is able to match you with a placement they will show you a job description. Before accepting a volunteer placement you’ll be able to:

ask your placement advisor about anything that is unclear or concerns you;
think about your personal and professional learning needs in relation to the job;
use information or learning material provided by VSO to prepare you for your posting;
talk to former volunteers.

We won’t expect you to accept a placement unless you’re happy with it.

Please note: Your departure and placement will be conditional on medical clearance from your doctor, carrying out the required immunisations, obtaining your visa and work permit and providing a criminal records checks. VSO will assist you with these steps, as well as reimburse your costs.

Preparation for your departure

VSO is committed to helping you prepare as fully as possible for your role. Training takes place both before your departure and after your arrival in country.

Pre-departure training sessions cover everything from an introduction to working in international development to ensuring your health and safety while away. There are 2 training sessions that you will have to attend in order to be able to take up a VSO volunteer job. These sessions will last for 3 days (P2V - Preparing to Volunteer) and 4 days (SKWID - Skills for Working in Development), respectively. For both training sessions you will have to travel to VSO's Training Center in Birmingham, UK. Some volunteer placements also require motorcycle training. Please note that VSO will be able to cover your training and accommodation costs, but you will be asked to cover most of your travel expenses to the UK. Attending both pre-departure training sessions is compulsory.

When you arrive in your country of placement you’ll also have some language and cultural awareness training before you start your job. This can last from a few days to three months, depending on the importance of the local language in your role as a VSO volunteer.

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