How do Host Organisations develop volunteer assignments?
Identifying a need
The first step in developing a volunteer assignment is to look at the work you are doing in your organisation or community and identify where there is a gap - knowledge or skills that you need but don't currently have. Once you have idenified that need you should think about the kind of skills or experience you would like a volunteer to have if they came and worked with you.
Developing an AYAD Assignment Proposal
Once you have identified a need within your organisation and would like to host an AYAD Volunteer you will need to develop an Assignment Proposal to submit to AYAD. AYAD has an Assignment Proposal Form which clearly sets out the information needed for this proposal.
The AYAD Program has an In Country Manager (ICM) based in each country where the Program places volunteers. Your ICM is an excellent resource during the assignment proposal development process. Before you start writing you AYAD Assignment Proposal it is highly recommended that you contact your ICM to discuss the proposal. ICMs can help Host Organisations to develop assignments that fit within the priorities of the AYAD program in each country. Contact details for each ICM can be downloaded here.
Once you have completed the Assignment Proposal Form you must submit it to the ICM in your country.
Assignment Approval
AYAD considers a number of factors when assessing the suitability of proposed assignments:
- Does the assignment have a strong capacity-building focus?
- Does it encourage an exchange of knowledge and skills between the volunteer and local counterpart staff and/or a strengthening of systems?
- Does the assignment promote local ownership and sustainability? AYAD volunteers will work with local staff not replace them.
- Does the assignment align with priority areas/sectors identified by partner countries, AusAID and country frameworks?
All assignments submitted to the AYAD Program are sent to the Australian Government’s overseas aid agency, AusAID for approval.
Priority Sectors
The AYAD Program is guided by the Australian Government’s overseas aid priorities in sourcing volunteer assignments. A Country Framework for each country identifies priority sectors which may include:
• Education
• Environment
• Gender
• Governance
• Health
• Infrastructure
• Rural Development
• Trades
AYAD assignments cover a broad range of roles and responsibilities within those sectors. Contact your local ICM to discuss the opportunities for your organisation to host an AYAD volunteer.
