NGO Administration & Management

The NGO Administration volunteers & interns observe and assist the Coordinators and the director with office work, as well as in-community project support and administrative work and the coordination and supervision of community programs. The NGO Management volunteer/intern will furthermore help to ensure the wellbeing of our volunteers and their full integration into various programs offered, as well as into the social life in Samaná.

You will have multiple opportunities to be involved and we encourage you to choose activities which fit your skills, abilities and preferences. We are constantly adapting our activities to community needs and volunteer numbers and capacities. If you wish to specialize in a particular activity we will do our best to accommodate your personal preferences, but you can be asked to be involved in a combination of activities while being placed at this program

Although project work will be provided, volunteers are encouraged to come up with their own ideas and initiative. This is a excellent opportunity to practice all your skills and learn new ones!

HOLIDAYS: Christmas Holidays from December 16 until January 06, 2025.

Attention: Volunteers are welcome to stay at our Volunteer Guesthouse during Dominican Christmas and new year holidays! Even though working and business life comes to a halt through this two week period when the whole country is celebrating Christmas, our volunteers are welcome to celebrate Christmas and new year together with us and the Dominican people!

COSTS & BENEFITS: Aldeas de Paz works hard to keep the required financial contribution to an absolute minimum and to offer financial transparency by practicing an open book policy. The minimum contribution starts at €155 per week (after the second week) and includes Spanish language classes and accommodation at our fully equipped guesthouse apartments, a special program donation as well as a personal welcome service and pick-up at the airport, transfer to the bus, bus fare and free transfer to your placement location.

SPECIAL OFFER: Spanish language classes – volunteers and interns receive free language lessons every week. The classes focus on developing communication skills so that students are able to put their knowledge to practical use as soon as they step outside the classroom. Our teaching method enables students to develop four basic skills: listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. The idea is to learn Spanish in a natural and spontaneous way, just as students have learned their mother tongue. Our students are encouraged to speak Spanish right from the very first day, using it in typical real-life situations: the basic syllabus is supplemented by special exercises, such as role-play, situational dialogues and work projects. Outside the classroom, the learning process continues as you are immersed in the Spanish language and the Dominican culture.

Working on public relation projects designed to mobilize community support. These include, but are not limited to: radio broadcasts, participating in neighbourhood council meetings, writing bulletins/columns, organizing community projects, working with locals to find new volunteer opportunities, translate newsletters and website information into Spanish.

No previous experience or special skills are required. A typical NGO administration and management volunteer and intern needs to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge and has to have a desire to take initiative in coordinating a group of volunteers and daily tasks. Friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. The ideal volunteer would have a passion for development aid, some experience in international volunteering and a desire to help other volunteers to have a great stay with us. Activities that a volunteer can participate in are entirely dependent on motivation and previous experience. Staff and other volunteers will support the participant. Basic conversational Spanish is very helpful for some activities but even without knowledge of the Spanish language, there is lots of work to do. To enable deeper integration into the community we provide free Spanish classes on a weekly basis, full support and 24/7 backup. We ask you to bring your laptop as well as a pen drive with you as flexibility regarding your working environment is necessary.

Volunteer placement or Internship?  As a volunteer you are free to commit any number of hours per week. Thats up to you! As an intern however you probably have to fulfill requirements set by your school or university. Just mark the tab on the inquiry form and inform us of your school or university internship requirements in advance so that we can work out your personalized work plan together. Also tell us about your personal expectations and goals and we will see how we can help you achieve them.

Availability: This program is ongoing throughout the whole year

Placement Locations: Samaná

Time Commitment: A minimum time commitment of 2 weeks is required.

Important:
Each traveler to the Dominican Republic is required to fulfill correctly the information on the electronic ticket for the General Directorate of Migration. After entering the data, you will receive a QR code that has to be presented already at the airline check-in. Please click here before you take your flight: eticket.migracion.gob.do