How do APOs develop volunteer assignments?
Making those links (partnering with a Host Organisation)
There are a two main options for partnering with a Host Organisation (the organisation in-country where the AYAD will work). You may have existing links with an organisation and wish to further develop that relationship by partnering with them through the AYAD Program or you may be seeking to develop those links through working as an APO with the AYAD Program.
If you already have a Host Organisation you would like to partner with you can discuss the AYAD Program with them (get them to download the Host Organisation Info Pack and contact the In Country Manager for their area), help them to identify a need within their organisation where an Australian Youth Ambassador for Development would be needed and develop an Assignment Proposal. Easy!
If you do not have existing links with a potential Host Organisation you will need to contact the
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and they will work with you to develop those links.
Developing an AYAD Assignment Proposal
Once your partner Host Organisation has identified a need for an AYAD, you and the Host Organisation should contact the In Country Manager using the In Country Manager Contact Details.
The In Country Manager will support you and the Host Organisation to develop an assignment proposal which fits within the priorities of the AYAD Program in each country.
Please see the Key Dates document for a guide to timelines.
Provincial Assignments and Assignments in High Risk Security Locations
Assignments in provincial locations can be remote and isolated, which can impact upon the AYAD’s experience and ability to complete their assignment. Assignments in high risk security locations can affect AYADs similarly. For these assignments, the Program requires additional support from the HO and APO. Please contact the In Country Manager using the In Country Manager Contact Details for up-to-date information on Program requirements.
Assignment Approval
The AYAD Program considers a number of factors when assessing the suitability of proposed assignments:
- Does the assignment have a strong sustainability and capacity-building focus? Does it encourage an exchange of knowledge and skills between the volunteer and local counterpart staff and/or a strengthening of systems?
- Does the assignment promote local ownership and sustainability? Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) will work with local staff not replace them.
- Does the Host Organisation (HO) have the capacity to host a volunteer? This includes the provision of appropriate workspace, any resources required for the AYAD to achieve their assignment outcomes and a supervisor and counterpart(s) who will work directly with the AYAD.
- Does the assignment align with priority areas/sectors identified by the Host Government and AusAID?
- All assignments submitted to the AYAD Program are sent to AusAID in-country for approval. 75% of assignments must align directly with AusAID’s country specific development priorities. For information please visit http://www.ausaid.gov.au/country/default.cfm.
- In some countries, such as the Philippines and Samoa, assignments may also require approval from the partner government.
Priority Sectors
The AYAD Program is guided by AusAID’s priorities in sourcing volunteer assignments. Priority sectors for specific countries may include:
- Education
- Environment
- Gender
- Governance
- Health
- Infrastructure
- Rural Development
- Trades
AYAD assignments cover a broad range of roles and responsibilities within these sectors (see the current Assignments for examples).