Applying to become a field volunteer

Selection criteria for PBI Guatemala volunteers

Essential

1. A good level of Spanish – spoken, written and reading.

2. Previous experience of working with human rights or development NGOs, social, grass roots, or community organisations.

3. Ability to commit to a minumum of 12 months’ work in the field.

4. Ability to work within the principles of non-partisanship, non-violence, and non-interference.

5. Experience of teamwork and group living, especially in high-stress situations.

6. Basic computer skills – word-processing, email, databases etc.

7. Availability to participate in the project’s training and selection process.

8. Availability of two referees able to give account of your professional capacities (who know you in the context of your paid or voluntary work with interest/solidarity groups, NGOs or academic study, for example).

Desirable

1. Knowledge of Guatemala’s history and current situation.

2. Experience of work involving liaision with authorities, campaigning, communication, negotiation, advocacy, etc.

3. Capacity for political analysis.

4. Knowledge of human rights.

5. Experience of work in the field of research and information management.

6. Experience of working using a consensus decision-making process.

7. Experience of working with PBI, such as with the PBI Country Group of your country of residence.

8. Minimum age of 25 years (see note below about policy relating to anti age discrimination).

Also fundamental, due to the characteristics of the PBI field experience, is that candidates are people who have the capacity to interact in a positive way with others; who are able to communicate assertively; who are able to adapt to diverse contexts (as dictated by the country’s political and social situation as well as by the mandate and principles of PBI in Guatemala); who have strategies for managing stress; who posess a high degree of self-awareness, flexibility and openness; and who have a high capacity for work.

What we offer if you join the PBI Guatemala team

1. Specialised training, based on more than 25 years of experience developing international accompaniment methodology.

2. An experience of living and working in a close-knit team of international volunteers.

3. Experience of volunteering in an internationally recognised human rights organisation.

4. The following expenses covered: return flights, room, board and medical insurance. Volunteers also receive economic support of $175 monthly for personal expenses, and a repatriation grant when they have completed their service.

Process for becoming a field volunteer

1. Read carefully the documents available on this website (volunteer letter, selection process, application form, reference forms).

2. Contact the Guatemala Project Training and Selection Team (formación@pbi-guatemala.org) to inform them of your interest in applying.

3. Contact your local PBI Country Group, and attend one of the introductory events regularly organised by them.

4. Return your application form to the Training and Selection Team before the application deadline (see process calendar).

5. Ask your two referees to send the completed reference forms to the Training and Selection Team before the application deadline.

6. Once your application and references have been received, you are now considered a candidate and will follow the different steps of the selection process as outlined in the documents mentioned above.

7. Participate in an interview with a member of the Training and Selection Team.

8. If you are selected to participate in the project training, you will first complete a distance learning self-study course, reading and completing the activities sent to you, on which feedback will be given.

9. Take part in a residential selection and training week.

10. Incorporation into the team is not always immediate after the selection and training week, and selected volunteers are asked to keep up-to-date with the situation in Guatemala during the period before their departure.

11. On arrival in the field as a new volunteer, you will participate in a 2 week period of orientation. In this way the training and selection process continues in Guatemala, with an evaluation period after the first two months in the team.

12. At any point in the process, PBI may decide that the candidate is not suitable for work in a team of international observers in Guatemala.

PBI policy relating to anti age discrimination for field volunteers

Age is not a barrier to working on PBI projects. However, the need for mature and experienced volunteers is critical because the organisation needs to present an experienced image in interactions with a wide range of authorities in the countries where we maintain field projects. Volunteers also need to be able to responsibly assess issues relating to risk and security in areas of crisis or conflict. For these reasons, PBI volunteers are often over the age of 25.

Contact the Project training team

For more information contact formacion(at)pbi-guatemala.org