Volunteer
Available volunteer opportunities
IT Coordinator
Opportunity International Australia seeks a Volunteer IT Coordinator to be based in the Head Office in Sydney's CBD. We are looking for someone who is available for approximately six months, two or three days per week (hours and days are flexible for the right candidate) and can start as soon as possible.
We are looking for a pro-active, hardworking person with several years of experience in IT management or an enthusiastic professional. The successful candidate will also possess great organisational and communication skills and be able to interact with all levels of staff. You will have good time management skills and be flexible in a fast paced and changing environment.
We seek an enthusiastic professional person to be responsible for the following tasks:
- Assist with managing the relationship with our external help desk support provider and ensure issues are adequately resolved in a timely manner
- Internal coordination for monthly and quarterly network maintenance or outages
- Oversee security of the network – user accounts, security groups, distribution lists, physical access to servers, office and building
- Fixed assets – manage access, record keeping, procurement and disposal
- Oversee hardware support of phone network and video conferencing system
- Support the delivery of cost effective communication solutions for travelling staff
- Assist with a review of our IT operations
- Potentially perform database administrator responsibilities for our field programs knowledge management database
- Other ad hoc tasks as required.
As part of a Christian organisation, the successful candidate will be committed to our mission of poverty alleviation and serving the poor.
Opportunity values its volunteers and the contributions they make to the organisation very highly. In almost all regards they are treated in the same manner as paid employees.
To apply for this voluntary role, please email your resume with a covering letter explaining why you would like to work for our organisation to snash@opportunity.org.au
Foodie Street Campaign Coordinator
Opportunity requires a volunteer Campaign Coordinator to assist the Ambassador organised ‘Foodie Street’
2012 campaign, which is part of Opportunity's broader ‘Food for Thought’ campaign held in October each year in recognition of the UN Day for the Eradication of Poverty. For more information and how to apply, please click here.
About our volunteer and intern programs
Volunteers and interns are an integral part of Opportunity International Australia and we are thankful for every person who donates their time, skills and expertise to support us and help people out of poverty. They are treated in the same way as other employees and are provided with equal exposure to see how Opportunity functions as an organisation and how different departments interact with one another. In addition to their regular duties, they are invited to participate in staff meetings and office celebrations.
Volunteer positions at Opportunity International Australia are advertised as they become available. They generally require a commitment of 1 day per week for 3-6 months and are usually based in our Sydney office. Available positions are added to this page – so please check regularly for any new vacancies.
We recruit for our voluntary internship program three times per year with internship start dates in January, May and September. Positions are usually based in our Sydney office and generally require a commitment of 3-5 days per week (dependent on the role) for 4 ½ months. Applications open approximately 8 weeks prior to the start date.
Opportunity recruits its volunteers and interns based on their skills and interest in microfinance. We advertise the available roles here on our website, through social networks and on the ACFID website.
New interns have an induction training week, which incorporates a handover from the outgoing intern and training with department heads. They are encouraged to complete an online UNDP microfinance training course during their internship. More casual volunteers have a less structured training process, depending on their role and responsibilities.
Each month, interns informally meet with their manager to discuss what they are working on and what they’d like to be involved in to ensure they get the most out of their internship. Prior to their departure, interns and volunteers attend an exit interview to provide us with their valuable feedback.
The intern program was formalised in 2011 and will be officially launched as a streamlined volunteer and intern program in the first quarter of 2012.
An Opportunity Alumni group is also being established for current and past volunteers/interns and staff. Opportunity alumni are invited to keep in touch by way of a six-monthly newsletter, updating them of current programs and Opportunity news.
The first volunteer and intern appreciation night was held on 16 November 2011 in Sydney. We look forward to hosting this event annually for all of our current and past volunteers and interns.