International Citizen Service (ICS) Application for April to July 2019

ICS is a global volunteering experience which supports young people from all backgrounds to make a real difference to some of the world’s poorest people.  It was launched by the UK Prime Minister in March 2011, and is funded by the Department for International Development (DfID).

The International Citizen Service (ICS) is a volunteering programme for 18-25 year olds, led by VSO and funded by the UK Government. ICS brings together young people from the UK and developing countries to volunteer in rural communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America for a period of 10 – 12 weeks. Presently, ICS projects in Nigeria center on Education and Livelihoods in communities in Enugu and Kwara State. Nigerian volunteers (In country Volunteers) work side-by-side with UK volunteers in these communities, staying with host families in the local community.

VSO Nigeria is currently looking for motivated and passionate candidates to be a part of the next cycle of the ICS programme, which will run from April to July, 2019. If you believe you have the ambition to make a difference and meet all the above criteria, please proceed to the next page to begin your application process.

Application closes on Sunday, 17th February, 2019. However, VSO reserves the right to close this opportunity early if we receive a sufficient number of applications.

Requirements:

Any Nigerian who falls under the age bracket 18-25
No skills or qualification are required to take part.
ICS look out for volunteers who are flexible, adaptable, team players, committed to learning and sensitive to the needs of others.

Duration:

The ICS programme is usually three months, although from the recruitment, selection, induction and training, it might take up to four months.
Volunteers are not allowed to go home once they have signed up to be on the programme

Programme Details:

·         Volunteers will live and work in a community for 3 months.

·         Volunteers will work alongside UK volunteers in a team.

·         Volunteers will stay in a mixed pair of a UK volunteer and a Nigeria volunteer and will live with a local family (host home)

·           Volunteers will work with community-based organisations·         All volunteers are required to complete an action at home on their return to promote awareness of international development issues

Training:·        

Selected volunteers receive four days of training just before the start of the programme and further training in-country at the start of the programme.

·   This provides an opportunity to understand the ICS programme and for volunteers to begin developing the necessary skills to take part in the programme.

·   Volunteers also begin to look at cross cultural issues and team building.

Facilitation and Support:

·         One Project Officer and Two Team Leaders (one from UK, one from the host country) accompany the volunteers during the programme.·         They also provide training, mentoring and medical support if needed.

Benefits:

VSO pays for the following:

·         N2000 weekly allowance to the volunteers

·         Host home allowance for host home to feed volunteers

·         Transport allowance or arrange for transport in the case of group travels·         Medical and personal accident insurance (including emergency)*

Becoming an ICS volunteer provides young people with an opportunity to:

·         Learn more about how other people live and about themselves

·         Gain experience and skills which will enhance their employability

·         Do work which is of practical value to people in a developing country·        
Develop skills, knowledge and attitudes, which will enable them to play a positive role in their individual society.

Location: One of Enugu or Kwara State.


..Apply