Our organisation

We're proud that Projects Abroad is the leading organisation recruiting young people from the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Japan and South Africa to do worthwhile voluntary work overseas.

Annually we send over 4,500 enthusiastic volunteers to 24 developing countries to teach conversational English, join Care projects and to gain a wide range of work experience, including projects in the fields of Medicine & Healthcare, Journalism, Veterinary Medicine & Animal Care, Law & Human Rights and Conservation & Environment.

Overseas staff positions with Projects Abroad

We put enormous importance on the welfare of our volunteers during their time with us overseas - our global team is committed to providing our volunteers with the experience of a lifetime.

We employ teams of local staff in each of our destinations and throughout the year we recruit and send additional staff from Europe, North America and Japan to work alongside our local teams. This back-up and support for our volunteers is vital to the success of the organisation.

Foreign staff take on a variety of roles which include positions as specific Project Managers, for example on teaching, care, sports or conservation projects, or may work as Desk Officers, briefing volunteers by email and Skype before their arrival in country, or most commonly working as Assistant Managers, supporting the volunteers in country.

Your role as an Assistant Manager

Working alongside our team of local staff, you will be responsible for making each new arrival feel welcome and secure in their new environment.

You will help maintain effective communication between the overseas office and the volunteers.

You will assist in checking work accommodation arrangements for volunteers before they arrive in the destination.

The job is busy, can involve some out-of-office hours work and can be physically demanding. You should be prepared to be on call on any day during your time overseas.

Our requirements for overseas staff positions

You should be:

• A graduate
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written
• Physically fit and able to pass a medical assessment, if necessary
• Mature in attitude and outlook
• Able to remain calm and efficient under pressure
• An excellent communicator with people of all ages and cultures
• A team player
• Flexible and able to take direction and accept feedback
• Friendly and personable, with customer service skills: you must respond well to others
• Enthusiastic to work in a different culture and relish the opportunity of working in a challenging environment

Additional country-specific requirements:

  The following languages are very useful: French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Chinese

Contract, salary & benefits

Contract:

These overseas positions usually involve a contract for between 6 months and a year, subject to a three-month probationary period. An offer of employment is dependent upon receipt of satisfactory references, a medical assessment (if necessary) and personal interview.

Salary & benefits:

Projects Abroad pays a basic living allowance, international flights, comprehensive travel and health insurance, board & lodging as well as agreed day-to-day work-related expenses.

Selection - The selection process comprises of the following stages:

Screening of your application

The first thing to do is send your CV and covering letter to us detailing all relevant qualifications and experience. If you are successful at this stage you will be placed on file and invited to attend an interview. If your application is not successful you will be advised in writing. We try to acknowledge all applications within fourteen days of receipt.

Interview:

If convenient, you will visit our UK office in Sussex for an interview by members of our Overseas Operations Team. For candidates further afield we also interview by Skype and in our many recruitment offices.

If you are successful at the interview you will be offered a position and will undergo training before you start work overseas.

How to apply:

If you meet all of our requirements and would like to be considered for a position overseas with Projects Abroad, please send your CV and covering letter to: richardclowes@projects-abroad.co.uk

Before you start

As a new member of the team you will receive a full briefing (lasting 1 day) in our UK office before starting your position overseas.

Our local staff overseas will give you further training on arrival and will work with you very closely throughout your stay. They will be happy to give you their advice throughout your time with them.

Life after a position abroad!

Your time with Projects Abroad doesn't necessarily have to finish at the end of your initial contract. Very often there's the option of transferring to another country for a second period.

From time to time there are also positions available in the Overseas or Recruitment Teams in the UK or one of our other recruitment offices, which you may also apply for having completed your contract overseas.