Networks Capacity Building Accompanier-national Volunteer

Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) is an international development charity with a vision for a "world without poverty" and a mission to "bring people together to fight poverty". VSO recruits professionals to work as volunteers, living and working alongside local populations in developing countries. VSO was founded in 1958, and currently works in 23 countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific.

VSO started work in Rwanda in 1998 at the invitation of the Government of Rwanda and it focuses on programmes in Education, disability and youth/national volunteering. VSO Rwanda's work revolves around six development goals including, Secure livelihood, HIV/AIDS reduction, Education, Participation and Governance, Health and Disability

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http://www.vsointernational.org

Role Title	Networks Capacity building Accompanier-National Volunteer
Country/Project/Location	VSO RWANDA/CTIVE Project Extension
Duration	1st November to March 2026 with possibility of renewal
Role purpose	To accompany youth networks (National Youth Council, youth and Women groups) in Nyagatare, Bugesera and Gasabo districts to strengthen their organizational and technical capacity to become resilient, self-sustaining, and well-equipped to organize for acting on their development priorities including equitable access to quality public services for economic inclusion, inclusive leadership, inclusive governance and be capable of holding systems accountable through volunteering for development to drive sustainable volunteering and civic engagement in Rwanda. As part of a global volunteer network, the volunteer will work alongside youth and women networks, VSO team and partners to foster knowledge sharing and drive locally led development and system change. This role is critical in building trust and co-facilitating holistic capacity strengthening with youth networks and women networks using volunteer relational model, co-creating and accompaniment approach.
Safeguarding level	Level 3 This post will have regular, direct and unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults either face to face or online or the post will have supervisory responsibility for people who have direct unsupervised access to children or post will have accountability at organizational level to ensure safeguarding policy is in place and implemented at all levels. A criminal background check (Enhance DBS check for UK or equivalent highest level of Police check) will be obtained for post holder at this level prior to their start date.

1. Introduction to VSO

VSO is the world’s leading international non-governmental organisation that works through volunteers to create a fair world for everyone.

Our work centres on those who are left out by society – those living in extreme poverty or with disability and illness. Those who face discrimination and violence because of their gender, sexuality, or social status. Those who are at risk from disaster, disease, and conflict. But they are not passive beneficiaries of aid; they are the “primary actors” at the heart of our efforts. From their perspective, we define the issues, opportunities, and solutions that drive sustainable, local-led change. These individuals are the key agents of their own transformation.

Our Approach,

Our Volunteering for Development (VfD) method supports the most vulnerable and marginalized to achieve their rights and bring about lasting change to create a fair world for everyone. Rooted in addressing the fundamental causes of - marginalization and vulnerability, our three core approaches – social inclusion and gender, social accountability, and resilience – guide our work in inclusive education, health, and resilient livelihoods.

Our Volunteering for Development method recognizes the importance of relationships in forging a shared understanding and commitment and building collective action to lasting change. With most of our volunteers being national, we build blended teams of community, national, and international volunteers, uniting diverse perspectives, and experiences to generate insight, innovation, and action that tackles the complex issues faced by our communities. This kindles the potential for active citizenship worldwide, encouraging people to step forward and lead the change that fosters a fair world for all.

1. Project background and contextual information (Please change this information as per project detail and requirement)

The ACTIVE Extension Project is a multi-country programme across Asia & Africa focused on strengthening the capacity of Civil Society Groups (CSGs) by fostering volunteerism and civic engagement while simultaneously improving the capabilities of governments and services. Making the system accountable to their collective needs through volunteering for development interventions.

ACTIVE supports CSGs to lead their own development pathways, engage in civic and policy spaces, and build inclusive systems that reflect community priorities. Volunteering plays a role of collective catalyst—where volunteers accompany CSGs in building confidence, fostering peer learnings, and accessing tools and networks. Volunteers do not deliver services but contribute to locally led development by enabling CSGs to organize, collaborate, and advocate—always centering their voice, pace, and leadership.

In Rwanda, the project will work in partnership with 14 CSGs (including 3 National Youth Councils at District level) in different thematic areas of work such as climate mitigation and adaptation, livelihood, youth engagement, civic engagement and health. The project will be implemented in 4 Districts of Bugesera, Gasabo, Gatsibo and Nyagatare.

2. Role outputs:

The main responsibilities of this role will be:

Organizational Capacity: Empower Youth networks with inclusive leadership and governance, strategic planning, equitable decision-making, and adaptive management, among others.
Facilitate the development of feedback mechanisms for youth networks and partners in respective areas of operations (Bugesera, Nyagatare & Gasabo) districts,
Resource Mobilization and Financial Sustainability: Link CSGs to technical assistance to co-create financial sustainability, resource mobilization and funding strategies.
Identify and engage private sector actors and civil society organizations in selected districts of operation to partner and promote volunteering for development model and civic engagement to address identified community challenges,
Strengthening Women networks and Youth networks to identify and implement strategies that foster active collaboration with government, private sector, civil society organizations, and faith-based groups.
Youth network Empowerment and Accountability-Support citizens, youth groups, and primary actors to lead their own development initiatives and demand accountability from duty bearers.

3. Experience and skills required for this volunteer placement

Essential criteria (must have to be able to carry out the role successfully).

The ideal candidate should possess the following competencies:

Experience in partnership and youth networks engagement
Proven experience of working with youth engagement and knowledge
on volunteerism.
Demonstrated experience in providing mentorship and technical support to youth from a wide range of backgrounds.
Proven ability to strengthen technical capacity for CSGs, embed inclusive, accountable, resilient, participatory and sustainable practices.
Experience facilitating participatory self-assessment processes, enabling CSGs to identify priorities and lead their own capacity strengthening plans.
Digital and data literacy, including competence in integration of digital platform for organizational strengthening.
Skills in facilitation, coaching, and mentoring, with the ability to create safe, inclusive spaces where all voices—especially marginalised groups—are heard, valued, and empowered.
Commitment to VSO’s Volunteering for Development approach, mission, values, safeguarding policies, Code of Conduct, and demonstrated VSO behavioral competencies.
Working collaboratively with a diverse team
Commitment to VSO’s mission, values, People First principles and core approaches (Social Inclusion and Gender, Social Accountability, and Resilience).

How to apply

Applications should be submitted on this link no later than October 28th, 2025. Please click on the “Apply” button to complete your application.

Should you require any adjustments to be made to the application process due to a disability or any other circumstances, please email us at Recruitment@vsoint.org to discuss your requirements.

Additional Information

Allowance and accommodation
All volunteers have an allowance paid in local currency. The allowance meets reasonable living expenses in country, but will not be enough to send money home.
VSO works with some of the poorest communities in the world which means accommodation varies and will be basic.