Volunteer abroad - Voluntary Service Overseas Ireland

Change the job you do. And the world we live in.

Join VSO Ireland in the fight against poverty and share your skills on an overseas placement. We need experienced health, education and business professionals to support sustainable development in some of the world’s poorest communities.

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Progress is only possible when we work together.

We're always looking for qualified professionals to share their knowledge and skills on our programmes, and help us fight against poverty in the long term.

As well as helping people who need it most, you'll gain marketable new skills, make life-long friends and enjoy life-changing experiences. A comprehensive support package, including flights, accommodation, medical insurance, a monthly allowance and training, is provided to all volunteers.

Applications from both working and retired professionals are welcomed.

Find out more about volunteering with VSO Ireland and sign up for job alerts.

One of the most dangerous places in the world to give birth...

In Sierra Leone, there is a severe shortage of life-saving equipment and skilled medical staff. Mothers and babies are dying unnecessarily every day.

We're doing all we can to improve the situation, training local health workers to save lives and supporting community outreach to get more pregnant women to health facilities - but we need your help.

Please support our maternal and neonatal health programme in Sierra Leone by donating what you can now.

Improving girls' education in Karamoja, Uganda

“Hopefully I am able to give a voice to those people on the ground, those who aren’t usually heard.” – Pauline Faughnan, VSO volunteer from Dublin

Educating girls is often not seen as a priority in Karamoja, one of poorest and least developed regions in Uganda. In one district, only 6.4% of girls finish primary school at all.

We're delighted to launch a new programme to help more Ugandan girls go to school and address societal norms preventing them from getting the education they deserve. A massive thank you to Irish Aid for funding this project.

Read Pauline Faughnan's ground-breaking research on girls' education, which formed the basis for the programme, here (PDF).

Irish VSO volunteers making a difference around the world

VSO Ireland is part of the global VSO family. In the past year, together we have achieved some amazing results, helping more than 2.4 million people.

Over 900,000 children have benefited from improved education
Over 1,336,000 people accessed better health services
Over 165,000 disadvantaged people had improved access to food and income

All of this was achieved through VSO volunteers, including qualified Irish professionals, working with local partners and individuals.

Read more about the impact of our work in our latest annual report.

VSO Ireland blogs

Young woman learns tailoring skills in Tanzania

A youth skills revolution in Tanzania

Youth unemployment in Tazania is extremely high, with only 4% of school and university graduates securing work in the formal sector. Our project is helping 9,000 young people acquire skills to overcome the odds.

Supporting smallholder farmers in Bangladesh: A photo essay

Along with a group of 16 international volunteers, Steph’s been working with marginalised groups of smallholder farmers to support them to grow. Her photo diary of what's been an intense month.

Volunteer Ebola grave yard caretakers at Waterloo, Freetown

The lasting shadow of Ebola: The virus that killed the carers

In 2014 Sierra Leone experienced a devastating outbreak of the Ebola virus. It killed almost 4,000 people. In March 2016, the outbreak was declared over, but the impact the virus had on the country’s fragile health system will be felt for years to come.

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Change the job you do. And the world we live in.

VSO Ireland blogs

A youth skills revolution in Tanzania

Supporting smallholder farmers in Bangladesh: A photo essay

The lasting shadow of Ebola: The virus that killed the carers

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