Recruitment Guide

In this document you will find:

How assignments are created .................................................................................................................................... 2

How to approach your application ............................................................................................................................. 2
Submitting your application ....................................................................................................................................... 2
Preparing for the first interview ................................................................................................................................. 4
Progressing to preferred candidate............................................................................................................................ 4
Receiving a conditional offer ...................................................................................................................................... 4
Confirmation of offer and notice period .................................................................................................................... 5
Start dates .................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Travel arrangements .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Timeframes ................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Please note: your experience of the recruitment process may vary depending on individual circumstances.

01 Recruitment Process Fact Sheet

Version 1: Released 16 October 2018

How assignments are created

 Assignments are developed in-country in consultation with the partner organisations who requested a
volunteer;

 Assignments are driven by local needs and aligned with good development practice, country
program focus areas and development priorities;

 Assignment descriptions include the volunteer responsibilities, selection criteria, and expected length of
assignment and start date.


Assignments are designed for people who can demonstrate their commitment to developing the
capacity of others, and also to the personal competencies required to live in a developing community.
How to approach your application

The decision to undertake a volunteer assignment is a big commitment. Therefore, we ask you to approach your
application in a considered, candid and reflective manner. Ask yourself these questions:

 Are you ready to be separated from your family, friends and familiar surroundings?
 Are you willing to accept the challenges of living, working and learning in a cross-cultural environment?
 What do you anticipate gaining from the experience?
 Do you have the right mix of skills and personal competencies?

Submitting your application

 New assignments are uploaded every Wednesday and remain on the site for two weeks

 Applications close at midnight - Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), make sure to leave enough
time to submit before the deadline!

 You will need to create and submit your application through an online account

 You will need to apply for a specific assignment in order to be considered. We are unable to accept
applications via email.

 If you’re applying for multiple assignments, you will need to create separate applications for each one,
attaching a current resume.

 Video interviewing is part of the application process. You’ll be sent a link guiding you to a video
interviewing platform, where you’ll be asked to answer four questions. Your answers will be recorded
and sent to a recruitment coordinator in Melbourne. Here are the four questions:

o Why do I feel that volunteering overseas is the right thing for me to do at this time in my life?

o What are the biggest personal adjustments I’m likely to have to make to be accepted as a useful
colleague and engaged community member in this assignment?

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 o What is your personal experience and/or understanding of social inclusion? We are committed
to ensuring the inclusion of all people directly affected by your volunteer assignment, such as
the partner organisation and community.

o How do I meet the essential skills and experience? Address each of the criteria, making
reference to your most relevant experiences, results and achievements.

Tips for video interviews

 Ensure you have access to a device that has both video and audio capabilities, a laptop, computer, ipad
or mobile phone can do.

 Find a quiet, well-lit space for the video interview and answer each question in a clear and concise
manner

Shortlisting and interviews

You will hear from the Recruitment Team within three weeks from the close of application date regarding the
outcome of your application.

Applicants are selected based on their likelihood to successfully meet the objectives of the assignment, in the
context, culture and location of the partner organisation and community.

Shortlisted applicants will receive a call from a recruitment coordinator to arrange an interview, and also to establish
basic parameters, including: availability, commitment, relationships, motivation for applying, financial obligations, and
availability to commence on the expected start date;

 Once the conditional offer is accepted by the applicant, you will be required to upload the
following information into the online portal.

o First aid certificate

o Australian Federal Police Check
o Working with Children Check (if relevant to the role)
o You will be asked to review several other documents before the interview

Volunteering with a Partner or Family

There are support provisions to allow eligible partners and/or dependants to join you on assignment. Find out more
in the Guides for Couples and Families.
Volunteers with assignments of 12 months or longer may be eligible to receive financial support for their partner and
children to accompany them while on assignment.

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The program cannot, however, guarantee this support and you are strongly advised to disclose any of your existing
relationships at the start of the recruitment process. This may also affect the legal status of your presence in-country
and associated visa requirements.

Preparing for the first interview

 A structured, behavioural interview via telephone or skype is conducted with a recruiter based in the
country that your assignment would be located in.

 The interview focuses on a range of areas, including:

o professional requirements of the role and work history;
o country specific challenges;
o personal competencies required of a successful volunteer;
o commitment to volunteering;
o child protection awareness;
o relationship issues.

 You will need to demonstrate your knowledge of the risks and constraints of taking responsibility as a
volunteer, based on research undertaken;

 You will be asked to clarify your commitment to continuing with your application and overseas
placement.

 The best matched applicant is generally selected after the interview. You will be contacted by a recruitment
coordinator regarding the outcome of the interview

Progressing to preferred candidate

Your professional and personal competencies will be evaluated utilising a range of assessment tools. These include an
interview, a psychological assessment, reference checks, police and medical checks, contact with current and
returned volunteers, online learning and a pre-departure briefing.

Please note that you are required to satisfactorily complete all requirements of the recruitment and mobilisation
processes before an official offer of assignment can be provided. We recommend that you do not end your current
employment nor make any irreversible decisions until this confirmation letter is provided to you.

If appropriate, an interview may be arranged with the partner organisation. This will be facilitated by a
recruitment coordinator.

Receiving a conditional offer

After successful reference checks and acceptance of nomination from the Partner Organisation is received, a
04 Recruitment Process Fact Sheet
 conditional offer is made.

Once the conditional offer is accepted by the applicant, you will be given access to the mobilisation section in
your online account that will guide you to complete the next steps. You can read an overview of what to
expect in chapters 1 and 2 of the Volunteer Guidebook.

Confirmation of offer and notice period

You should not make any irreversible or life-changing decisions until you receive the confirmation of offer letter.

 The offer of the assignment will be confirmed in writing, after:

o Satisfactory completion of pre-departure briefing
o Medical health clearance
o Verification of all compliance related documents

 We aim to provide at least 4 weeks’ notice from confirmation of offer to departure

 If you need more than 4 weeks to prepare for departure, please let your recruitment coordinator know
early in the application process, on alternative time frames or start-dates.

Start dates

 Each country has up to 8 arrival dates each year

 Volunteers arrive individually or as part of a group and are met by the country office staff

 On arrival in-country, all volunteers participate in an in-country orientation, security briefing and
cultural and language preparation

 Volunteers will be introduced to their partner organisation by the country office staff, and assistance
with any housing or local orientation will be shared between the country office and the partner
organisation

Travel arrangements

 Airfares to and from the destination of assignment are covered by the program. You are also eligible for
reimbursement for reasonable travel costs from your home to your nearest airport. Please discuss this with
the Melbourne office when arranging your travel.

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Timeframes

These timeframes are general guidelines to assist applicants; program staff and partner organisations plan
realistically. Once an assignment is advertised, it generally takes between 16-20 weeks before the successful
applicant departs for their assignment.

 Approved travel itinerary and e-tickets will be emailed to you once finalised.

 The in-country office will send the volunteer arrival arrangement details, including information about
the in-country orientation, a few weeks before departure.

 You will then receive the first payment of allowances, including funds for agreed travel related
expenses, a few days prior to departure.

06 Recruitment Process Fact Sheet