As VSO works on a demand-driven basis, based on the request of local partners, they have the possibility to place a wide range of professionals for assignments in a developing country. VSO receives requests for many different professionals, ranging from doctors to math teachers and from agriculturalists to general managers. For these projects we are looking for candidates with strong skills, preferably in but not limited to, one of the following areas: management, healthcare, education (maths & science, English language, primary education, education management and special education), social development (social and community work), business, IT, finance, natural resources, marketing & communications and HR.

In general candidates should:

• Be aged between 23 and 68 years old
• Be prepared to work abroad for up to two years
• Be willing to work for a local allowance
• Have a higher vocational education diploma or university degree
• Have at least three years relevant work experience in their profession
• Have a sound knowledge of the English language

If the candidate meets these requirements, he or she can apply by sending an application form and a full CV in English to the relevant VSO office. Candidates from Europe can apply with the VSO office in The Netherlands: www.vso.nl. Candidates from Ireland and the UK can apply with the VSO office in the UK: www.vso.org.uk. Candidates from Canada and the US can apply with CUSO-VSO in Canada: www.cuso-vso.org. Candidates from South-East-Asia and Australia can apply in The Philippines: www.vsobahaginan.org.ph/. Candidates from Africa can apply with VSO in Kenya: www.vsojitolee.org/. All other candidates should apply through VSO UK.

After receiving the application form, VSO will determine if the candidate’s skills meet the needs of their overseas partners and if it’s possible to proceed with the application. If so, candidates will have to attend a VSO assessment day. Only after successfully passing the assessment, will the candidate be offered placements matching their skills and expertise. In the time between the assessment and the departure overseas, candidates will participate in various training sessions, have a medical check and arrange personal issues like subletting their home etc. Generally the process takes about 6 months from beginning to end.