INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

The International Volunteer Program is one of the major components of the National Volunteer Service Program being implemented by PNVSCA. Through this program, technical assistance is provided by foreign volunteers to national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), academic institutions and non-government organizations (NGOs) in the spirit of technical cooperation and cultural sharing.

PNVSCA’s partners include the Australian Volunteer International (AVI), Australian Youth Ambassador For Development (AYAD), Volunteering For International Development Australia (VIDA), German Development Service (DED), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), United States Peace Corps (USPC), Pax Christi, Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), Organization For Industrial, Spiritual, and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV).

From the period 2001 to 2009, PNVSCA has coordinated the deployment of 1,523 foreign volunteers in 747 host organizations 70% of which are NGAs and LGUs. Among the significant projects that supported implementation of government’s priorities are the following:

DED: Strategic Corporate Community Partnership For Local Development (SCOPE) - assist companies and business groups in implementing development projects beneficial to both the company and community where they are located. It offers assistance in identifying projects, access to best practice methods related to the industry, technical assistance for project implementation, financial assistance and assistance in identifying suitable project partners.

JICA: National Dairy Development Program - provided impetus for the upgrading of the National Dairy Authority (NDA) capacity in dairy production, veterinary medicine, silage production and artificial insemination.

KOICA: TESDA Language Skills Institute Korean Language Training Program – prepare Filipino migrant workers for work in Korea

US Peace Corps - support local efforts to upgrade education, social services, environmental conservation and youth development though cooperation with DSWD, DepEd, DENR, LGUs, and non-government organizations.

VSO: Peace Enabling Actions for Community Empowerment in Mindanao and Technical and Organizational Skills for Civil Society Action for the Displace and at Risk in Mindanao (TOSCADAR) projects - address the displaced individuals and people at risk due to war.

UNV: United Nations Information Technology Services (UNITES) Project – narrowing the digital divide through volunteer assistance in information and communication technology.

Venue for technical cooperation and cultural sharing between and among Filipino and foreign development workers.

Who May Request for Volunteer

National government agencies, local government units, academic institutions and non-government organizations may request for volunteer assistance.

Procedures for Filing and Processing of Requests

1. Submit a completed Request for Volunteer Assistance Form to PNVSCA.
2. PNVSCA in coordination with the NEDA Regional Office and foreign volunteer organization will conduct an assessment of the request to determine the merit and indicative timetable for volunteer assistance. This may include a project presentation by the requesting organization and a site visit by the representative of the foreign volunteer organization, NEDA or PNVSCA.
3. Upon positive result of the assessment, PNVSCA will approve the request and endorse it to the concerned foreign volunteer organization.
4. The foreign volunteer organization will initiate recruitment and selection of volunteer candidates based on the terms of reference provided in the request.

Roles and Responsibilities of Volunteer Host Organizations

Orientation to the volunteer which includes project briefing, introduction to the local officials and important institutions and personalities and integration with the community.

• Office space
• Equipment, supplies and materials needed in the performance of the volunteer's tasks
• Transporta tion for project-related travels
• Counterpart worker to enhance sharing of knowledge, skills and technology
• Modest accommodation or assistance in securing one
• Emergency medical assistance
• Assignment of project manager or supervisor to oversee and monitor volunteer activities and performance including the submission of prescribed reports.
• Assistance in ensuring the safety and security of the volunteer.
• Participation in events and activities promoting volunteerism and allowing volunteer's participation in these events and activities.
• Timely coordination with PNVSCA and foreign volunteer organization in all matters affecting volunteer assignment such as transfer, reassignment, early termination of contract, conflict between volunteer and project staff or community, personal problems and any untoward incident which may happen to the volunteer.

Australian Volunteer International

Link: http://www.australianvolunteers.com

The Australian Volunteers International (AVI) is Australia's largest international voluntary technical assistance agency supported by the Australian Government. Its objective is to contribute to developing communities by providing volunteering opportunities for Australians in the fields of micro-enterprise development, livelihood, environmental protection. The initial volunteer contract is one year.

Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development

Link: http://www.ayad.com.au

Launched in 1998, this government-funded volunteer program is implemented through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). It provides Australia the opportunity to contribute to development in the Asia-Pacific region through the deployment of young Australian professionals aged 18 and 30 to assist local development projects. At the same time, it seeks to foster exchange of skills and goodwill between volunteers and their local counterparts. AYAD assists sectors in agriculture, environment, community development, information technology and social services. Volunteer assignment ranges from six (6) months to one (1) year.

German Development Service

Link: http://www.ded.de/en/home.html

The German Development Service Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst or DED serves as one of the Federal Republic of Germany's medium of cooperation with the developing countries. It cooperates with institutions in host countries to improve the living conditions of the poor and disadvantaged population. The sectors assisted by volunteer development workers are community-based natural resources management, agriculture and technical-vocational training using the dual-tech approach. Volunteer development workers are normally joined by their families in the assignment. The initial volunteer contract is two (2) years.

Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement

Link: http://www.oisca.org

OISCA is a Japan-based NGO which focuses its assistance in agriculture and environment. Its projects include reforestation, establishment and maintenance of agricultural training centers and training of the youth in environment-friendly farming practices. The initial assignment of volunteers is for a minimum of six (6) months to a maximum of two (2) years which may be extended to six (6) years.

Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers

Link: http://www.jica.go.jp/philippine/english/

JOCV is one of the programs of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aimed to assist developing nations through transfer of technology in areas where these are needed and to promote deeper understanding of cultures and traditions and establish lasting friendship between the volunteers and their hosts. Great importance is attached to the technical expertise of the volunteers who assist in the following fields: agriculture, forestry and fishery, manufacturing, civil engineering and architecture, health and welfare, education and information services, sports and culture. The initial volunteer contract is two (2) years.

Korea Overseas Volunteers

Link: http://www.koica.go.kr/

The KOV program implemented by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) aims at promoting friendship between Korea and developing host countries through the dispatch of volunteers to participate in world-wide effort to contribute to human betterment based on the spirit of "Share and Respect." The skill areas assisted by KOV are agriculture and fishery, education and culture, vocational-technical training, computer, health, and sports. The term of service of volunteers is two (2) years.

United States Peace Corps

Link: http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm

USPC was established in 1961 to promote world peace and friendship through the services of American volunteers. It aims primarily to enhance understanding among peoples and to provide technical assistance to local projects. Peace Corps volunteers are deployed in the fields of environmental education, coastal resource management, integrated protected areas system, health, water sanitation, business advising, youth development, waste management, education and social services. The volunteers serve for two (2) years.

United Nations Volunteers

Link: http://www.unv.org, http://www.unv.org.ph

United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that supports human development globally by promoting volunteerism and by mobilizing volunteers. It is administered by UNDP and operates amidst growing recognition that volunteerism makes important contributions, economically and socially, to more cohesive societies by building trust and reciprocity among citizens. Every year some 5,000 UN Volunteers from more than 150 different nationalities actively support the programmes of the United Nations itself and almost all UN funds, programmes and specialized agencies.

Voluntary Service Overseas

Link: http://www.vsointernational.org/

VSO is a British NGO charity that sends volunteer professionals overseas to work alongside poor and disadvantaged people in developing countries. VSO is involved in the areas of sustainable livelihoods and community-based natural resource management; peace building and effective local governance; and the prevention of abuse and social exclusion – including the promotion of gender fair development. There are at least 45 VSO volunteers all over the country (but mostly in the Visayas and Mindanao), coming from a diverse range of nationalities and experiences. Most VSO volunteers come from Britain and Ireland, though a significant number of volunteers also come from other countries of the European Union (the Netherlands, France, Italy, Belgium and Spain), Canada, and Australia. Volunteer areas of expertise include enterprise and livelihood development, marine biology, hydrology, and agro-forestry, natural resource management, deaf education, life skills enhancement, and speech therapy, psycho-social therapy and counseling, capability building and programme/organizational capacity development; land use and urban-rural development planning, and cooperatives development. Volunteers stay for a two-year period of service which may be extended upon agreement of concerned parties.

VSO Bahaginan

Link: http://www.vsobahaginan.org.ph

VSO Bahaginan offers a unique opportunity for Filipino professionals to share skills and experience with the most disadvantaged people of other developing countries in Asia, Africa, the Balkans, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Bahaginan is a program under VSO an international development charity that works through volunteers.

VSO Bahaginan, the recruitment base in the Philippines of the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), are presently accepting applicants who are 25 to 65 years old, with at least three years professional relevant experience, able to live for two years on a modest living allowance and willing to be assigned where their expertise are most needed.

VSO Volunteers work within communities in Africa, Asia, the Balkans, the Carribean and the Pacific. They exchange ideas with local people and partners to find lasting solutions to the problems the locals face. But there is still a dearth of volunteer professionals in the following areas:

• Programme Managers, Project Officers and Advisers

  The roles can be very diverse but most volunteer placements concern capacity building in organizational development, strategic planning, project management and evaluation, gender mainstreaming and staff development. Some emphasize on a particular sector of management such as human resources and finance management.

• Fundraisers

  With most of the partner organizations as very small NGOs, fundraisers are needed to help maximize their income generating strategies by assisting in developing fundraising strategies, identifying new funding opportunities and developing promotional materials.

• Small Business, Micro-Credit and Livelihood Advisers

  Volunteer assignments often entail community/market needs assessment, training and networking.

• Administration Managers/Urban Rural Planners

  Some placements are in need of volunteers who have the ability to administer and manage projects or organizations, set up systems or advise on district/rural planning. Volunteers in such areas are usually assigned in NGOs, hospitals, colleges or local government offices.

• Communication and Advocacy Specialists

  Communication professionals who will work in NGOs and HIV/AIDS support organizations. Volunteers will provide technical skills in promotion techniques, public relations, advocacy and campaigning. Majority of these placements require multi-media experience with an emphasis on communications activities and fundraising.

VSO will provide volunteers with a comprehensive package of training and support that includes pre-departure and in-country training, return airfare, health insurance, vaccinations, accommodations, a living allowance equivalent to the local wage in the country of assignment, modest quarterly grants released throughout the length of volunteer service and a small end-of-service grant.