Global Xchange Youth Action Programme Supervisors

Introduction to Global Xchange Programme

Through international volunteer programmes, Global Xchange builds active global citizens, committed to working for positive change within communities. Global Xchange is a partnership between the British Council, VSO, and local organisations around the world. This programme works with 18-25 year olds from the UK and other countries giving young people the opportunity to live and work together in communities as volunteers on programmes of 3 and 6 months in length.  All Global Xchange volunteers complete work which is of practical value to people in each country.  They will also develop values which will help them play a positive role in their own societies and gain experience and skills which will enhance their future employability.

In 2011, Global Xchange became part of the UK Government’s International Citizen Service (ICS) scheme, an international youth volunteering scheme for one thousand 18-22 year olds from the UK.  The ICS scheme is being delivered by a consortium of international development volunteering agencies, which will be led by VSO.  VSO will be sending 420 volunteers on Global Xchange programmes, which are Youth Xchange and Youth Action.

Role Profile

Youth Action is a 12-week volunteering programme for 18-22 year olds.  A group of ten young people from the UK will join a group of up to ten young people from the host country, to live, learn and volunteer together on community-based social action projects.  Through living and working alongside communities, Youth Action volunteers gain firsthand knowledge and experience of good practice in development work and are in turn able to make practical and meaningful contributions to the communities in which they volunteer.  They return to their home communities motivated to play a part in local and global action and, with support from Global Xchange, each Youth Action volunteer will undertake a project in their home community to share their experiences of their volunteering. 

Each Youth Action team of volunteers is supported by two Programme Supervisors, one from the UK and one from the exchange country. 

The successful candidate will possess the following skills:
• Significant experience of working with young people in an international development context.
• The ability to support a team of volunteers, provide pastoral support and facilitate learning during their action projects.
• Excellent communication skills and experience of working in a supervisory role.
• The ability to break down communication barriers, in order, to promote sharing and learning between cultures.

For further information on the role, please see the job description.

To apply, please complete the standard VSO application form and return it with the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to recruitment@vso.org.uk. Please note CVs will not be accepted. Additional information on the role and the programme can be accessed via: http://www.globalxchange.org.uk