VSO is an international development charity that works through volunteers. Instead of sending food or money to developing countries we send skilled people from a wide range of professional backgrounds to share their skills with colleagues and organisations in Africa and Asia to fight poverty and disadvantage.
As well as placing volunteers from education and health backgrounds, VSO needs an increasing numbers of volunteers with broad management skills. Management volunteers work with local organisations such as NGOs or local government offices to build capacity, help to manage change effectively and develop long-term strategic planning.
And it’s not just the world’s poorest people that benefit from the work of VSO volunteers. Management professionals return to the UK with new energy, insights and skills, a fact that is increasingly being recognised by UK employers, including the government.
£13 million have been committed by the government, so that UK public servants volunteering overseas can get full pension credits during their absence, at no cost to themselves or their employer.
Placements last from 12 to 24 months and come with a comprehensive support package, including pre-departure and in-country training, flights, insurance, accommodation and a local living allowance.