At a Glance
- Tasks: Help reunite families separated by conflict or disaster through sensitive casework.
- Company: Join the world's largest humanitarian organisation, the Red Cross.
- Benefits: Gain valuable skills, meet new people, and have your travel expenses covered.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with ongoing training and support for all volunteers.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your professional skills.
- Qualifications: Empathy, strong communication skills, and a commitment to helping vulnerable individuals.
The predicted salary is between 500 - 1500 € per month.
We help families who have been separated by armed conflict, political upheaval, natural disaster or migration to get back in contact with each other. Our casework volunteers sensitively interview people to collect detailed information and enter accurate records onto our database. This isn’t always easy and there’s lots to learn, so you will be shadowing caseworkers and training for about 6 to 12 months. When we are confident that you know the role inside out you will be able to do this on your own.
We would like you to:
- Be available to volunteer on a regular basis.
- Be available to volunteer 3 to 4 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
- Be able to commit to volunteering for a minimum of 6 months.
It would be really helpful if you can speak another language, but this isn’t essential.
Due to the nature of this role, applicants must undergo Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. Applicants will be asked to provide ID documents in support of the DBS check.
We would be particularly interested to hear from you if you have experience of being a refugee or asylum seeker. Unfortunately, we aren’t able to accept applications from 15 – 17 year olds for this role. Please get in touch and we can support you to find another role in your area.
Diversity is something we celebrate. We want you to be able to bring your authentic self to the Red Cross and feel that you belong. We want to create an inclusive environment, and promote and spread the power of kindness. As part of creating an inclusive space we have an expenses policy that prioritises volunteers not being out of pocket for expenses linked to your role. If up front costs are difficult, you can speak to your volunteering manager about this to find alternatives. We want volunteering to be accessible to everyone.
Health and Safety StatementWe take an individual approach to ensuring your safety. We may ask you to complete a simple risk assessment. We will also have a conversation with you to discuss and identify any adjustments you may need. If you have any questions before applying, please contact us.
Why we want you:
We are looking for empathetic casework volunteers who will use a professional approach to help separated families get back in contact. Knowing what happened to family members left behind or who have migrated around the world is vital. Our volunteers are there to help them reconnect. Due to the intensity and complexity of parts of our services, it is essential that our casework volunteers work to the highest standards so that we can provide a safe, high quality and effective service. You will be comfortable working independently as well as part of a supportive team, working with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail and dealing with complex and personal information.
Tasks:
- Leading sensitive and comprehensive conversations and interviews with people to find out about the family they are trying to contact.
- Analysing the information given and using IFT service knowledge of the family's country to agree a plan of action.
- Recording accurate and detailed case notes and completing 'tracing' forms.
- Working sensitively with unaccompanied and separated children.
- Carrying out local searches (in pairs) and research to find people in the UK.
- Signposting to other organisations where appropriate.
- Keeping the service casework management database up to date.
Skills:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and empathetic about the situation and needs of refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants.
- Emotionally resilient as you may need to deal with challenging or difficult situations.
- Able to calmly support people who are in distress.
- Previous experience of face to face client work or casework would be helpful.
- Able to work independently as well as part of a team.
- An ability to work in a multicultural environment.
- Respect and follow our confidentiality policy.
- Fluency in English; knowledge of another language would be helpful (particularly one used in current local refugee populations).
- IT literate and a willingness to learn and use the service casework management database.
- Ideally able to commit to the role for at least 12 months and at least one day per week.
- Willing to complete a criminal record check.
- Willing to commit to ongoing training and development.
Benefits:
- Meet new people and be part of a supportive and inclusive team.
- A great opportunity to develop your existing skills and gain new ones.
- All training and induction for the role (there is no charge for training).
- Reasonable pre-agreed travel expenses for the role including for attending training.
- An opportunity to be part of the world's largest humanitarian organisation and the knowledge that you are making a difference to people's lives.
International Family Tracing Casework Volunteer employer: British Red Cross
As an International Family Tracing Casework Volunteer with the Red Cross, you will join a compassionate and inclusive team dedicated to reuniting families affected by conflict and disaster. Our supportive work culture prioritises your growth through comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring you feel empowered and valued in your role. With a commitment to covering reasonable travel expenses and fostering a diverse environment, volunteering here not only allows you to make a meaningful impact but also enriches your personal and professional journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land International Family Tracing Casework Volunteer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation inside out! Research their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you connect with them during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former volunteers on LinkedIn or social media. They can give you insider tips and maybe even put in a good word for you!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills! Role-play with a friend or family member, focusing on how to discuss your empathy and communication skills. Remember, they want to see how you handle sensitive situations.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and helping families reconnect.
We think you need these skills to ace International Family Tracing Casework Volunteer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When you're filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to know who you are and what makes you passionate about helping families reconnect. Authenticity goes a long way!
Show Your Empathy:This role is all about understanding and supporting people in difficult situations. Make sure to highlight any experiences that showcase your empathy and ability to handle sensitive conversations. We love to see that caring side of you!
Detail is Key:Accuracy matters in this role, so when you're writing your application, pay attention to the details. Whether it's your previous experience or your availability, clear and precise information will help us get a better picture of you.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at British Red Cross
✨Understand the Role
Before your interview, take some time to really understand what the role of an International Family Tracing Casework Volunteer entails. Familiarise yourself with the challenges faced by families separated by conflict or disaster, and think about how your skills and experiences can contribute to helping them reconnect.
✨Show Empathy and Resilience
During the interview, be prepared to discuss situations where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. This role requires a sensitive approach, so share examples that highlight your ability to support individuals in distress and handle complex emotional situations.
✨Highlight Communication Skills
Strong communication is key for this position. Be ready to showcase your written and verbal communication skills. You might even want to prepare a brief example of how you’ve effectively communicated in a challenging situation, especially if it involved diverse cultural backgrounds.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! This shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation. Consider asking about the training process, the types of cases you might encounter, or how the team supports each other in challenging times.
