International Opportunities with Youth Challenge Australia

  Australia

• Northern Territory: 
Alice Springs,  Ayers Rock

  Costa Rica

• Central Pacific Coast: 
Guadalupe
• Eastern Lowlands: 
San Pedro Montes de Oca

  Guatemala

Guatemala City

  India

Bangalore

  Mexico

• Mexico City: 
Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico)

  Vanuatu

Moso Island

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks

Description: Youth Challenge Australia is currently recruiting for the following positions:

* Field Staff positions in Vanuatu, Mexico, Costa Rica and Guatemala
* An internship within an NGO in India and Vanuatu
* Volunteer positions in Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala and West Arnhem Land, Australia

Field Staff Positions:

Youth Challenge Australia is looking for dynamic leaders, educators and managers with a broad based knowledge of aid and development issues to fill pivotal roles in developing communities in Vanuatu, Mexico and Guatemala.

Working closely with a dynamic team of international staff and volunteers, you will receive training in and manage the preparation, coordination and facilitation of 5 to 10 week rural community development projects. This position also involves working in partnership with teams of local and international youth, liaison with community members and associations, support staff, your regional program office and home country office. This multi-level alliance of involved stakeholders, aim to work together in supporting Group Leaders and volunteers, on locally-identified community development initiatives.

Internships:
YCA is currently recruiting individuals for two exciting internships.

India - YCA's 10-week internships provide a unique opportunity for volunteers to improve their research, academic, teaching, marketing or technical skills. Interns develop skills and knowledge in their field whilst also developing a cultural understanding and contributing to community development.

Our partners Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy in Bangalore support citizens to identify, act and resolve social, infrastructure, political and environmental issues in their communities. YCA collaborates with Janaagraha to identify areas of research or projects that would suit each Intern.

Vanuatu - YCA alliance partner Youth Challenge Vanuatu (YCV) have been operating in Vanuatu since 2001 providing youth with quality leadership, business and employment readiness training. The YCV center houses a computer lab accessible to over 600 youth in Vanuatu ages 16-35, a library and drop in employment and business counseling. YCV employs 7 full time staff and numerous volunteers and contract staff throughout the year.

YCV is currently looking for a short-term volunteer (2 3 months) to work with the staff and volunteers at YCV to deliver computer maintenance training and develop a manual for troubleshooting common IT problems.

Highlights: Volunteers - International

Youth Challenge Australia is currently recruiting volunteers for upcoming international projects in Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica.

Mexico
In this 6 week project YCA volunteers will be assisting in the day-to-day activities of the orphanage, caring for children of various age-groups. Some sections involve taking care of the basic needs of the children, while others require companionship and friendship. As a volunteer, you will be contributing to the amazing work that Ninos Feliz carries out. The facility boasts access to excellent education for the children within the local community.

The project begins on the 7th of December 2009 and finishes on the 18th of February 2010.

Guatemala
This 5 week program will run from the 11th of January 2010 to the 15th of February 2010 in La Florida in the rural town of Colomba. The area is made up of 40 families working together collectively to produce organic coffee and other crops. YCA volunteers main objective will be to support the communities eco-tourism initiative and assist the coffee harvest and other everyday duties to boost the communities income. Secondary objectives of the project will include developing English language skills of youth in the community, promote cross-cultural engagement and skills transferral and hold a range of workshops and seminars on identified social issues.

Costa Rica
In partnership with RJI volunteers will work in small rural communities, on small scale projects identified by the local community. YCA volunteers will generally be involved in programs related to environmental conservation, including initiatives to promote ecotourism. Other areas of focus include infrastructure and sanitation in rural communities and the engagement of women and Indigenous groups in community development.

In each of our program countries you will have the opportunity to:

* Take an internship position in India with a civil empowerment organisation and help strengthen    democracy;
* Work alongside the children of Mexico while you live and work in an orphanage, assisting the children and infrastructure projects;
* Live and work in Costa Rica with local 'Tico's' and experience basic living while assisting on construction project in their amazing natural environment;
* Be a part of a rural community in Guatemala and help boost their eco-tourism initiative; and
* Live and work in an Indigenous island community coordinating sport and recreation programs.

Qualifications: There are no specific skills necessary to be included in the Youth Challenge Australia program.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-30

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Youth Challenge Australia's Mission Statement: Youth Challenge Australia is an Australian-based, non-profit, non-government organisation that actively engages Australian youth in community identified projects. Since 1992, YCA has mobilised young volunteers to assist the growth of sustainable and positive development both internationally and in Indigenous Australia. YCA recruits and trains volunteers to support projects in Indigenous Australia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, India, and Vanuatu. Projects range from 5 to 10 weeks and leave at various times throughout the year.

Year Founded: 1992