While overseas

CUSO-VSO's partners include a wide range of organizations, from government ministries to community-based organizations, from small enterprises to local, national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). We seek partners who are committed to change and who can provide the organizational structure and resources needed for volunteers to be effective.

During their placements volunteers are employed by the partner organization in the country where they work. The role of CUSO-VSO is to broker their employment with the partner organization and to offer support in this employment by, for example:

• helping a volunteer understand what their employer expects of them

• providing the training required by employers so that a volunteer can work effectively in their placement and within the context of the country they are volunteering in

• supporting both the volunteers and the employers in-country to maximize the mutual benefit of their partnerships

• making available to the volunteers certain financial and other types of support to allow them to take up their employment.
  

CUSO-VSO maintains program offices in most of the countries and all of the regions where volunteers are working. Program office staff provide support to volunteers by conducting in-country orientation, basic language training and support throughout your placement. For volunteers working on a two-year placement, you will receive a placement visit from a member of the program office staff during your initial six months in placement, with an additional visit midway through your placement. Of course, in the event of an emergency, the program office is responsible for taking whatever action is necessary to ensure your safety.

In terms of your daily work, volunteers report directly to a local employer, and are expected to approach the employer as a first contact.

The type of accommodation will vary, but you can expect to have your own bedroom and basic hard furnishings such as a bed and mattress, storage space, a table and chairs, and cooking facilities. Accommodation varies from a mud-floored room to an urban apartment, depending on the location of your placement. Your overseas employer is responsible for providing accommodation for you. Some volunteers are asked to share accommodation with other CUSO-VSO volunteers.

Proximity to other volunteers depends on the type of placement and the country in which you are working. In some cases, CUSO-VSO and VSO International's work may be most effective if volunteers are placed in ‘clusters,’ while in other cases, you may be a distance from another volunteer. During the process of matching you to a placement, your volunteer advisor will discuss this issue with you and explore your needs and expectations.

The common working language of the VSO International Federation is English, while CUSO-VSO operates in French and English. CUSO-VSO is currently experiencing high demand for volunteers with fluency in English, French and Spanish. However, language expectations differ depending on where you are going. You may need to learn a local language in order to be effective in your placement.

Most volunteers receive basic language training on arrival in-country. The length of training can vary from two days to two months depending on the importance of the local language to your placement. Where necessary, CUSO-VSO also offers support for you to continue learning a language once you are in your placement. Regardless of the language used in your placement, volunteers find that making an effort to learn the language spoken by their colleagues and neighbours greatly enhances their personal experience and increases the impact of their work.

All volunteers are covered for medical expenses while overseas. Once a volunteer is selected, a medical should be scheduled and the CUSO-VSO medical forms filled out by the volunteer’s doctor within one month of selection. Medical coverage is automatic upon receiving your medical clearance from CUSO-VSO’s medical advisor.

Medical insurance covers any necessary medical treatment, such as hospital or ambulance costs, and medication prescribed by a qualified medical practitioner. In the case of a medical emergency, essential evacuation and travel expenses are also covered.

CUSO-VSO’s medical insurance also covers you for the first three months upon return to North America after your placement is complete.

Living and working in the developing world, where conditions may be fairly basic, demands a certain level of physical and psychological fitness, so it is CUSO-VSO's policy that you have a medical examination within one month of your selection as a volunteer, before going overseas. Previous medical treatment will not necessarily disqualify you from being offered a placement, although it will be considered in deciding your suitability.

While you are overseas, your health will be of paramount importance. This is why placements must ensure that you have a reasonable standard of living, clean water and a healthy diet.

CUSO-VSO has its own medical advisors both in Canada and overseas and can offer up-to-date vaccination advice and make healthcare recommendations.

Once you have arrived in-country, program office staff will advise you on medical facilities near your placement. If you have a medical problem or emergency, program office staff are able to provide advice and will make necessary arrangements to ensure that you receive appropriate care.

The personal safety of volunteers is of primary importance to CUSO-VSO. In the event of an emergency during your placement, the CUSO-VSO program office in the country where you are working will take the necessary steps to ensure your safety and have excellent response systems in place.

Even before placing volunteers, CUSO-VSO makes an independent judgment that placements have met an acceptable level of safety.

Volunteers are briefed on health and safety issues at the pre-departure training courses as well as a briefing once they are in-country. Volunteers must also read the CUSO-VSO security briefing for the country where they are considering a placement before accepting the placement.

If an emergency happens at home, the contact person you have designated for CUSO-VSO should inform the staff at CUSO-VSO as soon as possible. We will then contact you as quickly as possible. CUSO-VSO will pay for return airfare for compassionate leave in the event of the death or life-threatening illness of an immediate family member.

You and your local employer will establish the terms and conditions of employment, such as hours of work and vacation time. However, CUSO-VSO specifies a minimum of three working weeks’ paid leave per year (one week for short-term specialist assignments) or the same amount as local colleagues, whichever is greater.

Returning to North America during your volunteering is possible. Some volunteers choose to return to North America for their vacation. The volunteer vacation time (terms and conditions) will be determined with your local employer.

Please note that CUSO-VSO cannot cover the costs of any personal travel or insurance during this period.

It may be possible for volunteers to transfer to another placement in the same country at the end of their initial period of service.

This can be arranged if a suitable placement is available and an evaluation of your initial placement suggests that you would be able to make a positive contribution to the new one. Most volunteers are required to go through the same clearance procedures and criteria as they did for their original placements.