Working for CARE - FAQ

29 November 2005

How can I volunteer for CARE?

Volunteers are an important part of our work in the UK. All volunteer positions are advertised on this website. Please do not send speculative CVs. Please note that we do not send volunteers overseas.

How can I get a job working for CARE in the UK?

CARE International UK advertises vacancies in the current vacancies at CARE International UK section of this website, and through BOND (British Overseas NGOs for Development). We also advertise in the Guardian or Evening Standard newspapers. We welcome applications from anyone who meets the requirements for the position.

How can I work for CARE overseas?

The majority of staff we employ overseas are local staff. This utilises the skills and knowledge of local people, and helps to build the capacity of local organisations. However, we do recruit some specialised staff from the UK to work overseas, and any such vacancies will be advertised on our website and through BOND (British Overseas NGOs for Development).

To obtain a position with CARE, applicants are required to meet a fairly stringent specification. We are often approached by candidates with overseas experience in fields that are not directly relevant to the kind of work we do overseas. These include backgrounds in teaching, law, sales and marketing, IT and academic research. We are unable to use the services of such applicants.

CARE does not send students or volunteers overseas to gain work experience; we do not have training programmes or internships and do not provide financial support to students. CARE receives a large number of enquiries and unsolicited applications for possible positions overseas and we regret that we are unable to invite applicants to visit us in order to discuss possible career opportunities.

What sorts of skills are required to apply for international positions?

First or second level degree and/or equivalent professional qualification in a field of study pertinent to CARE's programmes.

• Approximately three years' relevant professional overseas experience and educational visits and academic research, in a developing country, preferably with a similar organisation to CARE.
• A proven ability to live and work with different cultures and to take extensive and difficult field travels in sometimes remote and extreme climatic areas.
• English-speaking ability and a fluency in at least one other language, preferably French, Spanish or Portuguese.
• A reasonable standard of computer literacy is expected.

In addition, specific requirements are established for each overseas post.

The major programmes in which CARE is involved and for which CARE International seek applicants with appropriate education and experience are:

• Agriculture & Forestry
• Rural Development, including Small Economic Activity
• Urban Development
• Public Health, including Water & Sanitation engineering
• Population & Family Planning
• Relief & Emergency work
• Project & Programme Management, Administration - Financial and General - in any of the above fields

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How can I get relevant overseas experience?

It is difficult to obtain the required experience without being given the opportunity to work overseas, therefore we suggest that you contact the following organisations:

• World Service Enquiry
• Voluntary Service Overseas
• The Institute for International Cooperation and Development (IICD)
• Skillshare International

For general information on careers in International Development, see the Working in International Development section of the University of Sussex's website.