Frequently Asked Questions about Volunteering for VEGA and its Member Organizations

What is a “VEGA Volunteer Expert?” Who fields the volunteer expert/pro bono business consultants? Is it just the implementing partners? How does this process work? How does VEGA ensure the quality of volunteers?

A “VEGA Volunteer Expert” is a pro-bono business consultant, selected from VEGA’s database or that of one of a VEGA member organization and deployed to the services requirement in question on the basis of his/her experience and demonstrated professional skills. VEGA and its implementing organizations provide paid and pro-bono consultants. Volunteer Experts provide USAID Missions with the benefit of ready access to quickly identified and deployed expert consultants to provide short and long-term technical assistance to accomplish program objectives. The experts who have registered with VEGA and its member organizations carry diverse experiences and talents. VEGA and its members recruit Volunteer Experts internationally, as well as domestically, and have registered Volunteer Experts who are third-country nationals, Diaspora, and bi- or multi-lingual. Over 75% of the volunteers in our members’ databases have previous international experiences, and a substantial amount of volunteers have citizenship in another country.

How do I apply?

Most Volunteer opportunities are managed by VEGA Member organizations. Please consider contacting VEGA Members directly. For VEGA volunteer opportunities, please create a user account in our international recruitment system and submit a current résumé. This will allow you to apply easily and quickly to volunteer and/or consultant assignments posted on our website. It will also enable us to contact you regarding future assignments that match your experience and skills. A willingness to volunteer, however, does not guarantee automatic placement since the process is driven by our overseas clients' demand for particular skills.

What skills are you typically looking for?

VEGA and its Member Organizations are always looking for expert volunteers to support our international development activities. We have ongoing needs for candidates with ten years of experience in a wide variety of economic growth skills. For examples of the programs VEGA and its Member Organizations support, please refer to “Areas of Focus."

What types of volunteer assignments do you offer?

VEGA and its Member Organizations offer a variety of volunteer opportunities, including providing assistance:

• 

In-Country:  Volunteers travel to the country where assistance is requested.  Projects can be in the form of consultations, workshops, seminars, roundtable discussions, etc.


• Stateside:  Volunteers can host meetings or training for representatives from overseas businesses and institutions when they visit the United States. 


• Third-Country:  Volunteers can host meetings or training for representatives from overseas businesses and institutions when they visit a non-U.S. country for a project. 

What is the value of working with Volunteer Experts in tandem with paid staff and consultants?

Volunteer Experts can provide greater flexibility and availability at reduced cost. They also bring in vast experience on specific technical areas that complement the experienced field management and local staffing of our members. The knowledge exchange between VEs and local staff and clients provides a strong basis for sustainable development especially since many volunteers, with their greater availability, maintain relationships with the local community long after assignments have ended.

They also sometimes continue to conduct support activities back in the US through advocacy and outreach in their hometown communities. Volunteers may also be recent graduate students who are interested in sharing their newly-developed skills with communities, businesses, or governments. These graduate students are VEGA’s Long Term Business Advisers (or LTBA) who can be integrated into any VEGA program.

Do I need to speak the local language?

Foreign language skills are not required, but can be an asset. In cases where the volunteer does not speak the local language and the in-country host does not speak English, an interpreter is provided.

In which countries do you need volunteers?

Throughout Africa, Middle East, Asia and Latin America. Click here to view a list of current projects.

How long are the assignments?

From 2 to 4 weeks, typically. There is a growing demand for “virtual volunteers” who can provide expert assistance to local entrepreneurs and business ventures (e-mentoring) via email, SMS, Skype and other means.

How do I find time to go on an overseas assignment?

Volunteers use their vacation or their employer will often give them time off to complete a career-enhancing volunteer assignment. Many of our volunteers are retired as well.

Will there be any cost for me to volunteer?

Volunteers contribute their time and expertise while VEGA and its Member Organizations pay for all assignment-related expenses. These include round-trip coach airfare, passport, visas, lodging, meals and incidentals, immunizations, supplemental health insurance and even emergency medical evacuation if required.

What kind of housing is provided?

This varies from country to country and depends somewhat upon whether the volunteer is based in an urban or a rural area. In urban areas, you may be housed in comfortable hotels, guesthouses, or apartments that the project leases. In rural areas, you may be asked to stay with the host, or in more rustic settings. Lodging information is provided in the scope of work for each assignment. You may not have all the comforts of home, but as Chesterton said, “Adventure is inconvenience rightly considered.”

May I take my spouse or other family member?

We cannot pay expenses for a spouse or other family member. If you would like to schedule a post-assignment vacation, we encourage family and friends to meet you after you have completed your obligations. Schedules may change, however, during your assignment, which may cause difficulty in coordinating with people who are not participating in the assignment.

Are there any further obligations on the part of the volunteer?

You will be asked to complete a project assignment report and an expense report. Many volunteers serve repeatedly so if it’s mutually acceptable you may want to entertain another assignment. And we always appreciate volunteers’ efforts to spread the word about VEGA and its Member Organizations’ brand of development assistance among family and friends as well as civic and professional groups.

How are the assignments paid for?

Most assignments are funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Based upon ability to pay, each host is asked to contribute support such as the volunteer's in-country transportation, translators, lodging and/or meals.

Can I make a donation to support sending more volunteers overseas?

Through your support we can send more expert volunteers who generously donate their time, expertise and much more to further the impact VEGA programs have in the lives of our beneficiaries