Are you interested in learning about coordinating international volunteering? Would you enjoy a volunteering year focusing on a variety of office tasks? Welcome to the office team of Maailmanvaihto – ICYE Finland!
Maailmanvaihto – ICYE Finland is a non-profit non-governmental organisation working in the field of international volunteering. We organise long-term volunteer work programs for young adults and aim at advancing intercultural understanding, equality and peace.
Maailmanvaihto is a member of the International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) Federation, which consists of 41 organisations worldwide. Maailmanvaihto coordinates ICYE and European Solidarity Corps volunteering activities. On a yearly basis, we send about 20–30 volunteers abroad from Finland and receive about 30–40 volunteers to Finland.
There are three full-time staff members working at the office: Secretary General, Program Coordinator and Communications Officer. Every year we also have an international volunteer supporting our activities at the office and now we are looking for the next one! Besides this, several voluntary coworkers join in organising Maailmanvaihto’s activities.
Location
Maailmanvaihto’s office is situated in the centre of the capital city Helsinki, about a ten minutes walk away from the central railway station.
Volunteers’ role and tasks
We want to offer our volunteer opportunities to learn about activities of a youth exchange organisation and media & communication work, as well as to get involved in intercultural learning. An international volunteer will enrich our organisational culture by bringing in their ideas and views of a young person.
The volunteer will support the office staff by informing young people about the volunteering possibilities and by supporting the staff in organising international volunteer programs.
The tasks of the volunteer include:
- Office work related to coordinating volunteer programs (e-mail communication, practical arrangements related to documents and travels, promoting available placements and assisting in the selection processes)
- Creating social media content, filming and editing videos, taking photos, and graphic design. (Adobe Creative Cloud programs are available for the volunteer to use.)
- Updating guidebooks and other material for the international volunteers
- Reviewing and updating our English website
- Participating in making the Maailmanvaihtoa magazine
- Presenting Maailmanvaihto at fairs and other events together with event teams, and possibly participates in school visiting activities, too
- Supporting organising trainings for volunteers and other events (e.g. facilitation, presentations, kitchen work, practical arrangements)
- A small own project based on one’s own skills and ideas, related to media and communication, such as a social media campaign.
Volunteers’ profile
This volunteering project is suited for someone who is interested in communication work (especially social media and video communication) and would like to know more about international volunteering and working in an international NGO. We are looking for someone with a responsible approach to work and good organizational skills, as well as good teamwork and communication skills. Fluent English skills are useful in this volunteer work position. We expect that the participant is ready to take on different types of tasks, takes initiative, is eager to learn and use their skills, and brings forward new ideas.
Accommodation, food, transportation, and days off & holidays
The volunteer will stay in a host family or live more independently in home accommodation in the capital area. The lunch will be provided in the form of a lunch allowance and other meals will be provided by the host family. The monthly travel card for the Helsinki area will be covered for the volunteer.
The volunteer will have 2 days off per week (mostly Saturday & Sunday) and will gain 2 holiday days each month.
Training during the volunteering period
The volunteer will have an on-arrival training camp and mid-term evaluation camp organised by the Finnish National Agency of the European Solidarity Corps. The volunteer will get access to the Online Language Support (OLS) tool of the European Solidarity Corps to support learning Finnish.
Accessibility information
In Maailmanvaihto’s office it is possible to move around with a wheelchair, but the office space is unfortunately not completely wheelchair accessible: there is a doorstep at the entrance which is approximately 7 cm high, and the toilet is not big enough for a wheelchair. If you need additional support due to a disability, a long-term illness, or other reason and would like to discuss if volunteering at Maailmanvaihto could suit you, please don’t hesitate to contact us for further information at esc@maailmanvaihto.fi. We’ll be happy to tell you more!
Activity topics
international cooperation, youth, youth work
Further information
Maailmanvaihto’s social media
Volunteers’ Experiences
Greetings from abroad: from Georgia to Finland and from Finland to Philippines