What are the benefits of being a Host Organisation?
There are a range of great benefits that come from being a Host Organisation with the AYAD Program. The first is the opportunity to have a skilled young Australian work with your community or organisation to further develop the skills and capabilities of your staff so that your projects can be more successful. Not only will the AYAD bring their professional skills and experience but they will also be able to learn from you skills and experience and about your country and culture and share that with their family and friends and the Australian public on their return home. AYADs will also be able to share their Australian culture with you and help to build greater understanding between Australia and your community.
A second benefit which is offered by the AYAD Program to Host Organisations is the opportunity to partner with an Australian organisation (called an Australian Partner Organisation) to share skills and knowledge and create long term links across our region. Read on below for more details on how you can become involved with an Australian Partner Organisation through the AYAD Program.
What is an Australian Partner Organisation?
A main feature of the AYAD Program is its involvement of Australian Partner Organisations. The AYAD Program provides the opportunity for organisations in Asia, the Pacific and Africa to strengthen relationships with Australian organisations or create new long term partnerships.
Australian Partner Organisations (APOs) are Australian government departments, non-government organisations (NGOs), educational institutions and private companies that have or wish to establish links with organisations working in development in Asia, the Pacific and Africa (Host Organisations).
APOs can work together with Host Organisations to develop AYAD volunteer assignment proposals, assist in sourcing potential volunteers and provide mentoring, advice and support to volunteers and HO staff throughout the assignment process. In some cases, APOs may also be the Host Organisation if they have offices based in the country of the volunteer assignment.
Host Organisations do not need an Australian Partner Organisation to submit an assignment however Australian Partner Organisations can contribute to the success of an assignment and provide ongoing benefits beyond the AYAD assignment. For examples of APOs currently involved with the Program click here.
What is the role of an Australian Partner Organisation?
APOs work with the HO and the volunteer to help provide support in:
* Developing volunteer assignments
* Sourcing candidates by nominating a young Australian from their own networks, for example a student, volunteer or staff member, to undertake an assignment
* Preparing the volunteer by providing a pre-departure briefing
* Achieving assignment outcomes by sharing skills and knowledge, providing assistance with any issues and contributing resources where appropriate
* Assisting the volunteer to re-enter Australia by providing a post-assignment debriefCreating networks with Australian organisations and engaging in skills exchange
Establishing partnerships
If you would like to establish a partnership with an Australian organisation the AYAD Program is happy to assist. Please contact your ICM and discuss the opportunity with them.