VSO asks ACC bankers facing redundancy to share their skills overseas
04/06/2009 00:01:00
VSO announced today that it sees the job losses in ACC and other financial institutions as positive for the developing world.
VSO urgently requires finance managers, accountants, economic advisers and general managers to offer their time and skills in 44 developing countries where it works. VSO wants to remind those being made redundant that volunteering won’t affect their wallet or career prospects as much as they may think: VSO covers all costs and placements are challenging advisory positions.
VSO urgently needs 50 business people to apply and depart for a new professional challenge in September 2009 and January 2010. So far this year enquiries from prospective volunteers to VSO Ireland in 2009 are up 500 per cent, showing an increased interest in volunteering amongst the recently unemployed.
In the UK there has also been a dramatic rise in the proportion of prospective VSO volunteers applying from the business sector following job losses in the City before Christmas. In November 2007, 24 per cent of applications to VSO UK were from people working in business and management; by November 2008 this had risen to 43 per cent.
Professional VSO volunteers, who’s average age is 42, provide crucial support in developing countries. Some are placed in local government bodies or even Ministries where they take up management and financial advisory roles. Others work in small community not-for-profits located in rural parts of Africa, organising workshops for village leaders, women’s groups or HIV educators, many of whom have had no formal education. Business people get the opportunity to cut their teeth on training and workshop facilitation, thus adding to their skillset and improving their CVs.
Malcolm Quigley, Director of VSO Ireland, says:
“The loss of ACC bank jobs is a real concern as it adds yet more people to the live register. However, VSO offers professionals the chance to use their skills positively in the poorest communities. Some people in Africa are not just suffering the effects of the global downturn, they have already been living in poverty for a time, and have low access to basic services. VSO is a respected NGO that covers all volunteering costs. It makes sense to volunteer once made redundant.”
Denis Mahoney worked with AIB for almost ten years before deciding to volunteer with VSO. He was placed in Ethiopia for two years and is now back in Ireland. Denis has an encouraging message for potential VSO volunteers:
“Working in Africa was a huge learning curve for me. My communication and training skills greatly improved. Volunteering isn’t just taking time out, it’s using your professional abilities and getting experience in international development. My costs were covered while I was overseas so it wasn’t too risky. If you’re motivated by your work having meaning, then moving from the private sector into volunteering is the right choice.”
VSO provides volunteers with flights, accommodation, training, insurance, medical support and an allowance to cover basic costs. Irish public sector professionals volunteering can apply for a career break to avail of time off to cover the 1-2 year period.
In many developing countries staff shortages in business managers and accountants are chronic, so these are the skills now in demand. VSO can use financial professionals where they have strong planning or management expertise.
For more information: Contact VSO Ireland on 01-8147070 or email Deirdre.finlay@vso.ie or Malcolm.Quigley@vso.ie. Call Deirdre on 086-3707050 or Malcolm on 087-2375925.
