Time Commitment

Assignments have a minimum term of 1 month, and a maximum of 12 months. The average duration of assignments is 2 months, so please consider whether you are able to commit to an assignment for this length of time.

Cost

Generally speaking, you will not be out of pocket from your experience. While volunteers receive no remuneration from ABV or its clients, all costs associated with assignments are covered – flights, insurance, visas, accommodation, and a daily living allowance is provided to cover food, transport and incidentals. You should note however that the living allowance is intended to cover basic necessities only.

Partners & Spouses

In some circumstances ABV can arrange for a spouse or partner to travel with the volunteer on assignments of 60 days or more in duration – providing the partner remains with the volunteer for at least 60 days. In these cases, ABV will provide one return economy airfare, and a percentage of the volunteer living allowance to help meet the cost of food and other expenses.

Insurance

ABV volunteers are covered under the ABV insurance policies from the moment they leave home to undertake an assignment, to the moment they return home.

Police Checks

Prior to undertaking an assignment, it is mandatory that we conduct Australian Federal Police checks on every volunteer. This process may take some weeks. You should not apply to be a volunteer if your police record contains a felony conviction.

Code of Conduct

ABV is a signatory to the Code of Conduct of ACFID (Australian Council for International Development). All volunteers are individually required to sign a Code of Conduct prior to registration with ABV. Applicants who do not agree with the Code of Conduct should withdraw from the registration process.

Conditions

If you have not had previous experience in developing countries, you should keep in mind that living and working conditions might be markedly different from those to which you are accustomed. In most countries where ABV operates, the climate is hot and humid and living and working conditions do not always include the luxury of air conditioning, overhead fans or running hot water. Also, in some places the services that we take for granted such as a constant water and electricity supply and sewerage are not always reliable and their absence may cause some inconvenience.

In some areas western food is not readily available and medical facilities may be minimal. Volunteers must be fit and able to cope with these sometimes stressful climatic and living conditions. A medical clearance from your GP will be required before departure on an assignment.

Other cultures sometimes have a different work ethic and this may cause some confusion or discomfort for many Australians. For example, the western concept of time, and of being "on time", has a variety of interpretations in some developing countries and you will need to be able to adapt to the local style of working if an assignment is to have a successful outcome.

Similarly, being "directive" may be acceptable in an Australian workplace but may be offensive in other cultures. Being sensitive, patient, flexible, and a creative problem–solver are essential volunteer competencies. Coping with these cultural differences, and overcoming inevitable challenges like frustration, loneliness and a sense of isolation due to less contact with the outside world, will add to the experience and to the satisfaction that you as a volunteer can achieve while passing on your skills and experience to the client.

Pre–departure Preperation

When selected for an assignment, ABV provides a large amount of pre–departure information, including country strategies, country profiles, maps, and advice in case of medical emergencies or evacuations.

New volunteers are also invited to telephone someone more experienced for an informal chat about the country. This is a good opportunity to ask all sorts of questions about practical matters like banking, food, shopping, transport and social activities.

Soon after arrival, you will be given an orientation to the country by the ABV In–Country Manager (ICM) or one of their agents. This provides an opportunity to ask questions about any matters of concern.

ABV does expect you to undertake your own research prior to leaving Australia. There are numerous guides, websites and maps available for all the countries in which we operate. There are several books in libraries or bookshops which provide information about the history, politics, economics and cultures of each country.

ICMs are under contract to ABV and while they are available 24 hours a day in cases of emergency, they work only part–time for ABV and are usually busy with other activities. While ICMs may occasionally initiate social occasions for volunteers, this is not an official part of their duties and should not be relied upon. You will typically need to be pro–active in filling leisure hours, which may include meeting other volunteers working in-country.

A list of other ABV volunteers in–country, and their contact details, will be provided prior to each assignment. On rare occasions volunteers will be in isolated areas where there are no other volunteers close enough to visit, and where language may create a barrier to socialising with local people. This can be personally very challenging and volunteers should arrive with books, music, writing materials or other entertainment to be used during their leisure time.

Health

Before departing for an assignment, you must have a comprehensive medical form completed and signed by your local GP. If required, ABV will pay for any necessary vaccinations indicated by your doctor. You will be responsible for any additional costs associated with any elective vaccinations .

It may be difficult or impossible to obtain prescription medications in developing countries so you are advised to carry enough of a necessary medication to tide them over for the entire assignment period and a little extra should their return home be delayed for any reason. Those who require optical glasses should take a spare pair. A basic first aid kit is also advisable.

The ABV website will contain information about health alerts in developing countries (e.g. Avian Influenza) but you are advised to visit the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade well before they leave Australia, for the most up–to–date information.

In short, it is your responsibility to ensure that they are as prepared as possible before leaving Australia.