Overseas Programs
Q: How can I volunteer overseas with EWB?
A: To volunteer with EWB overseas, you must apply for one of our vacancies as part of an Intake. You will need to address the selection criteria for that position, and also demonstrate that you meet the personal attributes required of EWB volunteers. Most positions require you to have a qualification and relevant professional experience, however all applications are welcomed and encouraged by students, graduates and professionals. A good start is to get involved in an EWB Chapter in Australia first. Through Chapter involvement you can learn a lot about the EWB approach as well as start forming networks to support you should you be successful.
Q: I want to volunteer but I don't have enough experience?
A: EWB have sent a range of volunteers with varied experience - from graduates to retirees. Skills and experience is important, but more important is the person who is applying. They need to be adaptable and flexible and able to handle working in a cross-cultural environment. Additionally, they need to not be too outcomes focused, which can at times be a legacy of too much experience. Most of the work we do is technically fairly simple, as technical aspects have to be locally appropriate.
Q: Is there an age limit?
A: You must be at least 18 to participate in EWBs Overseas Program. We have had graduates to retirees volunteer overseas.
Q: Do I need to be an Australian Citizen to volunteer on an EWB overseas placement?
A: We require applicants to be either an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident. The main reason is that a big part of the experience is coming home and sharing your experience back in Australia to help to create change here. If you are intending on applying for PR or residency but don't have it yet, it's fine to apply - please note that in the application and provide any relevant evidence.
Q: What skills are you looking for? Do you only send engineers?
A: We place volunteers from a wide range of occupations, including engineers, architects, planners, project managers. Furthermore, roles occasionally are required from non-technical backgrounds including community development. Our volunteers have been recent graduates up to retirees. To meet some of our past and present volunteer and see the type of work they do, check out our Youtube site and look under the working with communities playlist section
Q: Can I choose where I go?
A: Our assignments are determined by EWB's program strategy and the needs requested by local partners. We encourage you to be flexible about where you will work, as there may be opportunities to utilize your skills in a role and location which you did not initially apply for.
Q: Does EWB support accompanied volunteers?
A: Unfortuantely EWB does not have the capacity to financially support partners and children for volunteers. Partners can be a key support for volunteers in country but there are certainly considerations for anyone deciding to go away with a partner (eg. expectations on volunteer opportunities/accommodation for partners, insurances etc). Please contact EWB if you wish to discuss further.
Q: What does EWB provide?
A: As part of the assignment EWB provides: pre departure training; reasonable living and accomodation expenses; regular contact and support; connection with a support chapter and knowledge hub; medical, travel and insurance expenses; links with other volunteers and flexible travel dates.
Q: What does EWB not provide?
A: Salaries; at home expenses whilst away; independent travel expenses; living allowances or travel costs for partners or dependents; an in -country office - you will be working with the partner organisation.
Q: Does EWB have a child protection policy?
A: Engineers Without Borders (EWB) is committed to the safety and well being of all children. We support the rights of children and will act without hesitation to ensure a child safe environment is maintained. All volunteers are expected to sign off on the Child Protection Policy. The policy can be downloaded here.
Q: I am travelling overseas and would love to visit a project or help out for a short period - is this possible?
A: EWB traditionally does not accomodate short term placements. The nature of our work is long term so: volunteers can understand the cultural context of the community; volunteers have time to identify local strengths and resources and develop relationships with the local community. Additionally community partners need to devote time to orientation of volunteers, which takes them away from the valuable work they do with communities. EWB volunteers undergo pre-departure training and receive a significant financial commitment in preparing them for their placements so it is important from a financial perspective they stay longer term. Short term volunteers have occasionally supported long-term EWB volunteers but these are rare and done only with approval of EWB National, the volunteer, the partner organisation and with the understanding they may be considered indepenent of EWB.
Q: What countries do you work in? Why don't you work in other places?
EWB’s overseas programs are currently limited to specific countries in South Asia and South East Asia. We work in a small number of countries and send approximately 30 volunteers per year. A number of factors come into play when we consider where we work – visa’s, safety, cost of living, regional relevance, potential for impact, potential for influcence etc. EWB are currently focusing on countries we have existing relationships and clusters where volunteers and community partners can support each other and share learnings - this also means the quality of our work on the ground is ultimately better. We certainly recognise the need in other regions geographically relevant to Australia but currently are limited by our capacity and spreading our resources too thinly.
What countries we work in is something that is often discussed at EWB. The Pacific in particular is regionally relevant to Australia and a region that is a strong focus for Australia aid efforts. EWB Australia is currently supporting EWB New Zealand to expand into this region through mentoring and collaboration. Changes in the countries we work in is certainly not ruled out, and a regular topic of discussion; however, in the short term any change is currently limited by resources and existing partnerships in our current countries of operation.
Pre-Secondment Support
Q: What support does EWB provide before I go?
A: Participants on most EWB programs receive return airfares, visas, insurance, living allowances and accommodation. You will also participate in a comprehensive briefing before you depart and a debriefing when you return. Before then, we'll put you in touch with other participants and returned volunteers - including staff! We'll guide you with your preparation. You'll need to organise a visit to your doctor, make sure your passport and vaccinations are up to date, then fill up your backpack with a sleeping bag and enough basics for your stint in the field. You can prepare yourself by reading as much as you can about your country of assignment, asking EWB staff and volunteers for information, and thinking about how to adapt your particular skills, attitudes and work practices to integrate with another culture.
Q: What does the living allowance cover?
A: The living allowance may be paid by EWB, the partner organisation, or both. We set living allowances based on the cost of living in a particular country.
The allowance will enable you to live a moderately comfortable lifestyle, but will not enable you to meet financial commitments at home, such as a mortgage or personal loan.
Q: Where will I stay?
A: In some cases, accommodation may be provided by the partner organisation or EWB may provide an additional accommodation allowance to cover housing costs. You may have shared or individual accommodation dependent upon the local environment and length of your assignment.
Q: Is language training provided?
A: EWB will help you organise language tuition when you arrive in country or before you depart, and will subsidise the cost of tuition.
Q: Are there EWB staff in country?
A: No. But we do have volunteer Field Officers, based in Vietnam and in India. We will explain their role to you more fully further down the track.
Q: Can I return to Australia if there is a crisis at home?
A: If you need to return home urgently, it is important to discuss this with both the partner organisation and EWB. Depending on the circumstances, we may be able to cover your travel costs through insurance.
The Assignment - what is involved
Q: What does a day involve?
A: Take a look at our youtube site under working with communities for some stories from the field from volunteers. It really depends on who your work for and what stage your secondment is at. One thing we try to avoid is volunteers working in isolation. They generally have a close working relationship with 1 or more people in the organisation. Additionally some days you might be in the office other days out in communities meeting stakeholders and doing site visits.Q: How long do I go for?
A: Each assignment has a specified period, which has been determined by the partner organisation and EWB as being adequate for completing the work involved. Shorter assignments are useful for conducting reviews, completing discrete projects, or identifying areas for training and future improvement.
Q: How will my work be assessed?
A: You will have a detailed assignment description with set objectives. When you arrive, you and your host organisation can also develop a work plan.
EWB will hold regular review sessions with both you and your host employer to get feedback on the progress of your assignment and how the benefits from your work can be sustained.
Q: Will I have holidays?
A: EWB volunteers usually have the same leave allowances as local employees. Generally though, we recommend that you take pro rata holidays of 4 weeks per annum with consent of the host organisation.
Q: Travel - Will I get to travel in the host country?
A: This depends on your program, the nature of your assigned project, and the location of your host community. Some groups stay in the same community throughout their program. Other groups undertake mobile projects with visits to a number of villages.
Q: Travel - Can I travel before or after my project?
A: People have organised in the past to travel before or after project. This is definitely a possibility but we need to know what your plans are. You need to make sure that you can attend a pre-departure briefing before you go, organise your flights so that you are arriving at the right time to your project country, and ensure that your travel plans fit with visa requirements. All of which can be discussed with your program manager once selected on board the program
Q: What are my responsibilities as an EWB volunteer?
A: The position description outlines the role that you will carry out, but we will also help you to develop a detailed workplan with your community partner organization, which will list your responsibilities in more detail. You will be expected to work fairly and cooperatively with your host organisation and colleagues. In addition, all EWB volunteers must sign and comply with the EWB Code of Conduct and with EWB's Child Protection Policy.
Q: What happens if I do not complete my assignment?
A: Each EWB volunteer is part of a Country Program Strategy which has been negotiated with local communities and organisations based on their expressed needs. If you leave before completing your assignment, it may affect EWB's program, community expectations, and the work of your host organisation. That said, this must be considered case by case.
EWB also incurs substantial costs for every volunteer we place. Pre-departure costs alone can be in the region of $2000. If you leave before your agreed term, we are not obliged to provide further financial support and you may be liable to refund all expenses. If problems arise, please discuss them with your EWB Program Officer and your host organisation before making any decisions.
Health and Security
Q: How can I stay healthy during my assignment?
A: Your health is your responsibility when you're on assignment. Depending on where you're living, there may be an increased risk of contracting some illnesses, including tropical diseases.
Your health risks can be minimised by attending thoroughly to your health preparation before you depart, to ensure you are as healthy as possible. This may include vaccination updates, specialist check-ups (e.g. dental, skin, optical) and routine screening tests.
Taking sensible precaution when you are in-country can also minimise the risk of getting sick. This includes strict basic hygiene, attention to the standard of food and water, mosquito bite prevention, stress management, etc. Your doctor and travel medicine specialist can give you more information and guidance on how to stay healthy while you are on your EWB assignment.
Q: What happens if I get sick on assignment?
A: EWB works with an agency that can organise 24-hour medical assistance. All EWB volunteers receive an emergency card prior to departure. Call the number on this card if you get sick, and the agency will organise access to a registered medical practitioner or a hospital if necessary. If the agency considers it necessary, a medical evacuation may be arranged.
Q: Will I be safe?
A: There are security issues of some kind in every country. We monitor security very closely at all times through our official and local contacts and are experienced at responding to situations that change rapidly. We will also work with you to develop your own security plan.
Understanding the culture, observing local social behaviours, establishing friendships and seeking advice from the local community will improve your everyday personal security, as will being sensitive and sensible.
Q: What happens if there is a crisis in country?
A: EWB will provide you with an in-country emergency contact that will be available at all hours. We will work with you to develop a crisis management plan and organise evacuation if necessary.