The 2018 Call for African Union Youth Volunteers Corps (AUYVC) was launched and the deadline for applications is 31 July 2017. AUYVC have produced two videos and one document that outlines Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that have been received. AUYVC hope these resources will help you to address challenges and questions that you may have had.
Application Process
- Is it mandatory to have a minimum of one year volunteering and work experience?
Yes. The AUYVC is a professional volunteer program designed to enhance
the employability of young Africans and it is for this reason that applicants are required to
have at least one year of verifiable volunteer experience and work experience.
- Can I fill in my application in any of the AU’s working languages?
Yes. The African Union has four official working languages; English, French, Arabic and
Portuguese. Applicants are free to submit their applications in any of these four
languages and all applications will be evaluated using the same standards.
- What is meant by ‘post-secondary’ school certificate?
One of the requirements for the AUYVC program is that applicant have a certificate which
they obtain after they finalise secondary school. These certificates can be: T
VET,BSc/BA, Master’s degree or PhD.
I am married. Can I apply?
- As long as applicants fall within the age group of 18 to 35, their marital status is not taken into account when conducting the selection. Thus, married applicants are free to apply should they desire to partake in the program.
- Who should the reference letter be addressed to and what should it contain?
Reference letters can be addressed to the Youth Division of the African Union Commission, and they should verify the applicant’s involvement in either the mentioned volunteer program or work experience. It should support their application and highlight
their contribution to the said organisation or company.
- Can I attach my electoral card or University ID card instead of my passport copy?
The main purpose of attaching your ID to the application documents, is so that the
applicant’s age can be verified. This therefore means, that any form of identity which
clearly states the applicant’s name and age can indeed be attached to the application.
However, it is worth noting that should an applicant who provided an electoral or university
ID card is then selected, they should be prepared to provide us with a valid passport.
- Should recommendation letters be written on headed paper?
Ideally, recommendation letters come from recognised companies/organisations, which
means that when issuing recommendation letters, they should be on headed paper. In order for us to confirm the authenticity of the recommendation letter, we encourage it is
done on headed paper.
- Can I fill in my application in any of the AU’s official languages?
Yes. The African Union has four official working languages; English, French, Arabic and
Portuguese. Applicants are free to submit their applications in any of these four
languages and all applications will be evaluated using the same standards
- I have finished my studies but do not yet have my certificate. Can I apply?
Yes. As long as you are able to provide confirmation that you have ended your studies
while you await graduation, you can apply. A letter from your education institution and
transcript.
- I am in my final year of post-secondary school studies. Can I apply?
Since applicants have to provide a post-secondary school certificate or confirmation of termination of studies, unfortunately, if you are in your last year, you are unable to apply.
Training
- How many people do you select from each country?
The pre-deployment training caters to 100 young Africans from all AU Member State
where we have received eligible applicants. The exact number selected from each country varies as we consider the size of the population, regions and gender balance.
- How long is the pre-deployment training?
The pre-deployment training lasts for 2 weeks and exact dates for the pre-deployment training are communicated in advance to successful applicants.
- What kind of things are we required to do at the training?
During the training, volunteers will explore different modules that explore topics such as Pan-
Africanism, the spirit of voluntarism, embracing different cultures, and stereotypes.
Such models have the aim of preparing the volunteers to their possible deployment to
countries where they have possibly never lived in before, and thus, differ greatly to their reality.
- Who covers the costs of attending the pre-deployment training?
All costs encountered for the pre-deployment training are covered by the AUYVC program. Successful applicants who are chosen to attend the training are issued an economy class return ticket from where they are located during the time of training, visa facilitation and reimbursement should there be a need to apply for a visa, accommodation and meals.
Deployment
- Will deployment of all trained volunteers be at the beginning of the following year?
Trained volunteers are deployed according to the availability of vacancies. As well as that,
CVs of trained volunteers are matched with available vacancies within the African Union’s
Organs and partner organisations. Volunteers are encouraged to continue with their normal lives until they have received official communication from the AUYVC.
What kind of work are we expected to do as volunteers?
African Union Youth Volunteers that are deployed will engaged in various types of work
that aligns with their skills. AUYVC have Accountants, Lawyers, Communication Specialists, IT Personnel, Translators and many others that are alumni of the program.
- Can I bring my family?
Under the AUYVC program, the entitlements are designed to exclusively cater to the volunteer that has been deployed. Examples of these entitlements include economy class return ticket, health insurance cover and modest monthly stipend. A volunteer that wishes to travel with dependents or relatives will bear the financial costs and have to seek further information from the local authorities in their country of deployment.
- Do volunteers look for their own accommodation once deployed?
Yes and the program offers volunteers a modest monthly stipend. One of the important
outcomes that volunteers ought to seek whilst at the training, is effective networking with
peers. The AU-YVC fosters a spirit of voluntarism and helping one another.
Volunteers are encouraged to stay in contact with one another so that once deployed, they can support each other to find accommodation in the country where they are deployed to.
- Can I choose the country to get deployed to?
Unfortunately not. Volunteers’ profiles are matched with available positions which can be located in any African Union Member State. However, once a volunteer has received an offer
that they feel is not satisfactory, they can decline the offer and their CV return to the
pool of available profiles that can then be sent out to other potential organisations.
- Do volunteers get deployed outside the African Union?
Yes. Volunteers are not only deployed to the African Union Commission, but also to a
number of other organisations that have partnered with the AUYVC program across the continent.
Can I be deployed to my country of origin ?
In the spirit of Pan-Africanism and exposure to the continent, the AU-YVC strives to ensure that volunteers are deployed to a country other than their own. However, there are instances where a volunteer’s CV matches with a position in their home country.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the 2018 African Union Youth Volunteers Corps (AUYVC) FAQ
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