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Program:
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International Volunteer Coordinator |
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Start Dates:
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1st and 15th of each month |
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Language Requirements:
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English (basic Nepali is provided) |
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Food and Accommodation:
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Provided with a host family/guest house Nepali standard – rice, soup, lentils, vegetables |
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Key Activities:
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training and supervising, coordinating volunteers, developing volunteer networks |
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Beneficiaries:
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Multiple – VIN staff, volunteers, community members involved with VIN programs |
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Working Hours:
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Sunday to Friday, 10am to 5pm / Flexible |
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Required Qualifications and Skills:
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Fluent in written and spoken English, computer proficiency, excellent communication skills, experience designing and delivering training |
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Program Fees:
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465Euros to 1185Euros
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I have worked with VIN for several months as a volunteer coordinator, which was a very fulfilling experience both for VIN as for me. It is quite a challenge to be a link between the Nepalese staff and the international volunteers, and be responsible for all organizational aspects, but it brings a lot of satisfaction when everything works out. A key point is proactively discussing with the staff and the volunteers in order to identify and solve different problems.
During this period I have learned a lot in dealing with different cultures (both Asian and western), and what development work really entails. I was able to see all the different projects of VIN, and their impact and benefits on the community. Spending some time in the office also meant that I was able to actively work on VIN’s strategy, planning of activities and VIN’s international exposure. Moreover I had a great time interacting with the international volunteers, some of whom became very good friends.
This role is also very important for VIN, because it brings the staff an opportunity to work on other important issues, since coordination of the volunteers takes up a lot of time. During my time I have succeeded in bringing the volunteers and international staff closer, and I tried making VIN more organized and better structured. I hope my stay here has had a sustainable impact on VIN, in making the organization function even better.
Wouter Raatjes The Netherlands, International Voluntee Coordinator
Program introduction
VIN regularly has 10 to 20 local and international volunteers working throughout our community programs in Jitpur, and other communities, rural communities just outside of Kathmandu.
We require a coordinator to interview, recruit, reference, train, organize, and place these volunteers in the most appropriate way to ensure that they, and the communities in which they will be working, benefit greatly from the experience.
The volunteer coordinator will have ample opportunities to visit VIN's different working sites and volunteers. This will give him / her thorough ideas on program implementation for grassroot level organizations. This may be the right job for the one who would like to persue a career in the not-for-profit organizations.
Helping us coordinate volunteers will also give him / her opportunity to cross cultural immersion since the volunteer has to deal with different people from different nationalities and cultures. It is however a very challenging task to cope with! The coordinator has to be very flexible! We encourage for long term (at least 3 months) commitment.
Volunteer coordinator's role
- Recruiting, training, organizing and supervising volunteers;
- Overseeing volunteer induction period;
- Designing and delivering training relevant to interests and chosen program, including TEFL/ESL overview, health and safety, Nepali culture and language (the team can assist with this);
- Planning and scheduling volunteer placement relevant to need, skills, strengths and abilities;
- Liaising with partner organization/ community prior to placement'
- Ensuring volunteer targets are set;
- Regularly contacting volunteer to ensure they are satisfied with food and accommodation during placement;
- Monitor and review volunteer workload and targets and adjust where necessary;
- Evaluate end of placement;
- Organize regular interactions amongst different projects and volunteers;
- Develop new volunteer program strategies;
- Implement a standardized working structure to enable VIN permanent staff to support volunteers in absence of international volunteer coordinator;
- Develop links with international volunteer community, including International Volunteer Sending Agencies;
- Keep an updated volunteer database.
Skills, experience and qualifications
- Experience of overseeing staff, delivering training and organizing workloads;
- Fluent written and spoken English;
- Willing to work with local groups or grassroots organizations;
- Willing in coordinating volunteers;
- Computer proficiency, including databases, spreadsheets and word processing;
- Ability to work in a team – open communication, ability to establish good working relationships;
- Strategic thinking and teambuilding skills;
- Self-confident, focused, pro-active and result oriented;
- Flexible attitude to constantly shifting work priorities;
- Experience in designing training programs and organizing trainings
- Ability to manage personal workload, balance deadlines and manage competing pressures;
- Knowledge of non-profit making, grassroots organizations;
- Self-motivated team player with proactive, "get-the-job-done" mentality;
- Excellent communicator as well as a leading supervisor for volunteers
- Knowledge of non-violent direct action and development issues
Team membership
- Work and communicate openly, effectively and co-operatively with all other team members;
- Adhere to individual project deadlines and manage personal workload;
- Respond to challenges, explore new ideas and take initiative in all aspects of teamwork;
- Take full responsibilities for the completion of tasks as designated the VIN;
- Work closely with different project staff to maintain team and volunteer spirit;
- Skills required / qualifications
