Skills needed
These professions are most commonly requested by our overseas
partners. Most assignments require qualifications and demonstrated
professional experience.
Make sure you sign
up to AVI's free quarterly job
alerts, you'll be the first to hear when volunteer
assignments go online.
Agriculture
Agriculture qualifications and experience can take you to
farming cooperatives or non-governmental organisations to share
knowledge with counterparts, develop marketing strategies, organise
farming networks, or advise on farm management.
You can also share their knowledge with farmers' groups or farmers
to increase food production while promoting environmental
conservation practices.
Related roles we recruit for:
- Agronomists
- Agricultural Extension Officers
- Agricultural Scientists
- Agri-business Advisers
- Agroforesters
- Fisheries Advisers
- Horticulturalists
- Permaculturists
- Research & Policy Advisers
- Veterinarians
Business, Marketing &
Tourism
Your business acumen or marketing skills can change lives. You
could be helping organisations that provide vital social services
to access new funding, communicate with the people who need them,
or raise awareness of important health issues such as HIV/AIDS.
Tourism professionals can help create new streams of income in
developing countries, tapping into responsible and eco-tourism
opportunities. Your experience in developing tourism projects can
lead you to the most picturesque and unique locations on the
planet.
Related roles we recruit for:
- Business Managers
- Small Business Advisers
- Marketing Specialists
- Hospitality Trainers
- Tourism Advisers
Community & Social
Development
Take your Community and Social Development skills overseas and
work with leading international NGOs or make your mark with local
non-government organisations that are creating an impact at the
grassroots level. Help advocate, develop programs, monitor and
evaluate success.
People with social work experience are often recruited to work
with vulnerable groups or as community development officer in the
field of disability.
Related roles we recruit for:
- Community Development Advisers
- Disaster Management Advisers
- Gender & Development Advisers
- Logistics Officers
- Museum Curators
- Policy & Planning Advisers
- Project Managers
- Social Workers
- Sociologists
- Youth Workers
Education & Training
Your skills can increase education opportunities for children
and adults. By training local teachers, developing curriculum and
materials, or teaching English to speakers of other languages, your
impact will be much broader than one classroom or one subject.
Related roles we recruit for:
- Curriculum Development Advisers
- Educational Counsellors
- English Language & ESL Teachers
- Librarians
- Teacher Trainers
- Tertiary Lecturers
- Sports Coaches
- Vocational Instructors
Engineering &
Architecture
Engineers are often involved in water and sanitation projects,
to develop counterpart skills in water and sanitation technologies,
advise on improvements to water and sanitation facilities, and
assist communities access resources.
Related roles we recruit for:
- Cartographers
- Chemical Engineers
- Civil Engineers
- Engineering Advisers
- GIS Specialists
- Laboratory Managers
- Land Use Planners
- Mechanical Engineers
- Water Engineers
Finance
& Economics
Financial know-how is always sought by the diverse range of
organisations with which AVI works. Volunteers with finance and
economics backgrounds ensure the limited resources of local
organisations are at full capacity, help strengthen accountability
and institute reporting standards.
Related roles we recruit for:
- Accountants
- Bookkeepers
- Economists
- Financial Administrators
- Financial Analysis & managers
- Microfinance Advisers
Health
From nutritionists to midwives, obstetricians to health managers
AVI has a range of opportunities for health professionals to work
overseas.
Check out our health assignments and see where you can take your
skills.
Related roles we recruit for:
- Epidemiologists
- General Practitioners
- Health Educators
- Health Promotion Advisers
- HIV/AIDS Advisers and Counsellors
- General Practitioners
- Midwives
- Nurses & Nurse Educators
- Nutritionists
- Occupational and Speech Therapists
- Paediatricians
- Pharmacists
- Physiotherapists
- Prosthetists & Orthotists
- Psychiatrists
- Public Health Specialists (including HIV/AIDS)
- Radiographers
- Surgeons
Human Resources
Volunteers with Human Resources skills play an important role in
supporting and enhancing the work of community and non-government
organisations. The work is often 'hands on,' utilising the breadth
of your HR knowledge and experience, such as reviewing HR systems,
designing and implementing HR processes such as induction,
appraisals and professional development, and supporting local staff
to build their confidence as professionals.
Related roles we recruit for:
- Human resources officers
- Advisers
- Management trainers
Information Technology
As the world goes online, IT skills are needed more than ever.
Develop software, create websites, conduct project analysis and
scoping, and train local staff. Importantly, share your knowledge
with your counterparts and help more people get involved in the
online environment.
Related roles we recruit for:
- Applications Developers
- Computer Trainers
- Computer Technicians
- IT Lecturers
- IT Support Advisers
- Help Desk Officers
- Systems Administrators
- Web Developers
Law & Justice
All volunteer opportunities respond to our international partner
needs, or in other words, we only develop volunteer opportunities
if they have been requested by our overseas partners.
It important to note that there's a large demand for
international legal volunteer assignments throughout the Australian
legal community. Currently legal assignments are limited, however
with the introduction and support of Lawyers Beyond Borders, we aim
to work with our overseas partners to identify new initiatives and
project opportunities. This will allow Australia's legal
professionals to work with their communities on locally-identified
projects.
Related roles we recruit for:
- Corrections Advisers
- Electoral Supervisors
- Human Rights Monitors
- Judicial Educators
- Lawyers & Legal Advisers
- Legal Educators
- Legal Policy Advisers
Management, Administration &
Library
Management
Volunteers with general management skills often play vital roles
in the advancement of community and non-government organisations
that are seeking to take the next step in their development.
Administration
In recent times, there has been an increase in demand for
skilled administrators with a background in information management,
record keeping and the implementation of quality assurance
programs.
Library
Librarians are urgently sought by several universities,
government agencies and non-government organisations. You will be
working closely with local counterparts to identify solutions for
records management and developing creative ways of sharing
information.
Related roles we recruit for:
- Administrative Systems Advisers
- Archivists
- General Managers
- Human Resources Advisers
- Librarians
- Management Advisers
- Office Administrators
- Policy & Planning Advisers
- Public Sector Managers
Media, Communications, Art &
Design
Media, communications, and art and design volunteers work in
partnership with local counterparts and agencies to mutually
enhance skills and knowledge. You may find yourself helping to
influence public debate or playing a major role in making global
and local issues accessible to disenfranchised audiences.
Occasionally, volunteers experienced in textiles and the arts
are requested. Positions do vary quite substantially, however all
have a common goal of strengthening the capacity of the local
community and/or enhancing business opportunities.
Related roles we recruit for:
- Art & Craft Designers
- Art & Craft Marketing Advisers
- Audiovisual Specialists
- Graphic Designers
- Journalists & Editors
- Performing Artists
- Radio/Television Producers & Broadcasters
- Translators & Interpreters
Natural Sciences &
Environment
AVI volunteers with natural sciences/environment backgrounds
often find themselves working in assignments involving research
activities, improvement of agroforesty practices, environmental
education, sustainable utilisation of wetland forest ecosystems,
and preservation of biodiversity.
Environmental volunteers may work at the local or municipal
government level advocating the sustainable use of resources or
supporting communities on environmental planning and awareness.
Volunteers work with limited resources and must be resourceful
in their approach to incorporating and promoting local cultural
customs. Many environmental positions have a strong teaching
component, and therefore experience in designing educational
activities and teaching within this field is highly desirable. This
training is typically delivered to local counterparts and may also
incorporate partner organisations.
Related roles we recruit for:
- Botanists & Plant Scientists
- Ecologists
- Environmental Educators
- Environmental Engineers
- Environmental Policy Advisers
- Marine Biologists
- Microbiologists
- Zoologists
Skilled
Trades
Requests for AVI volunteers to work specifically as tradespeople
are very limited due to the ready supply of skilled tradespeople in
our partner countries.
However, construction supervisors are often required to manage a
construction site (e.g. rebuilding of a school) and the training of
a local counterpart to eventually take over all or part of this
role. Such roles are increasingly common in areas where major
rebuilding works are required.
Related roles we recruit for:
- Bricklayers & Builders
- Carpenters & Joiners
- Construction Supervisors
- Diesel Mechanics
- Mechanical Workshop Supervisors
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Water Supply Technicians
Special Education &
Disability
AVI volunteers with special education or experience working with
people with disabilities are often highly sought after and highly
valued in the countries where we work. People with disabilities in
developing countries often have limited access to care, resources
and education, so workers in these fields can make valuable
contributions to both lives and attitudes.
Related roles we recruit for:
- Special educators
- Occupational therapists
- Paralympics sports coach