Remote Location

The AYAD Program recognises that AYADs who are placed in remote locations require additional monitoring and support. To download a pdf of the Remote Locations Policy click here.

Remote Location Policy

Volunteers who are placed in remote locations require additional monitoring and support. This policy outlines the requirements and support strategies. The ICM will determine the level of support required broadly during assignment sourcing, and more specifically when a candidate has been successfully recruited.

Identifying Remote Location placements

Remote Location placements will be identified by ICMs at the assignment sourcing stage and noted on the Assignment Proposal Form. At this time the ICM should complete a full site inspection to identify potential issues and develop strategies to address the issues. Where strategies cannot be identified the assignment should not be considered.

The following questions are considered in deciding whether a placement is in a remote location:

  • Geographic location of the assignment
  • Proximity to other Australian or international volunteers
  • Access to communications (internet, telephone, post)
  • Access to medical and other basic services
  • Level of English language spoken

Remote location placements will be identified to potential candidates as part of the online assignment advertising process.

Pre Departure Briefings

Volunteers who are selected for Remote Location assignments should be provided with additional information relating to their assignment to ensure that they understand the likely challenges and are able to identify strategies to deal with them. Pre-departure briefings include:

  • Additional information about the assignment location and local security issues provided by the ICM. Information gathered using the ‘Remote Location Checklist’ should be used.
  • A specialised focus group during PDT for AYAD volunteers being deployed to Remote Locations

Monitoring and Support Requirements

Volunteers who are placed in Remote Locations may expect:

  • An Individual Monitoring and Security Plan, including modes of contact, agreed between the volunteer and ICM during the In-Country Orientation (ICO).
  • The ICM to contact volunteer monthly throughout the assignment or more often if agreed to by ICM and volunteer in their Individual Monitoring and Security Plan.
  • A member of the ICM team to visit the volunteer at assignment location within the first 3 months of their assignment.
  • Support to travel back to the ICM location during the course of the assignment to meet with the ICM and other volunteers:
    • One return trip - for assignments up to 6 months duration
    • Two return trips - for assignments over 6 months duration
  • ICMs determine the duration of ‘return to base’ travel for individual assignments and are responsible for coordinating the travel schedule for Remote Location volunteers. A typical trip would be 3-5 days in duration (exclusive of travel time). Transport and accommodation costs will be met by the Program, and time away from the workplace is in addition to the standard volunteer recreation leave entitlements.
  • To be supplied with a Satellite Phone if placed in an area with no access to a home or mobile phone.
  • A RAYAD Mentor Program - Volunteers in remote locations may be paired with a returned AYAD (RAYAD) for their assignment duration to act as a mentor. Where possible it will be a RAYAD previously placed at the same or similar assignment location. Please contact your Project Coordinator if you are interested in the mentor program
     
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