Working with volunteers and interns

Recruitment and selection

All volunteers and interns at Oxfam Australia must be eligible to work in Australia in accordance with the Department of Home Affairs guidelines. For more information, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

Volunteers and interns are required to sign the below agreements and policies. Agreement to these policies is completed as part of our onboarding process for successful candidates. Integrity checks (including criminal history checks, reference checks and working with children checks) are completed for incoming volunteers and interns as required.

Current agreements, policies, and code of conduct documents for Oxfam volunteers and interns:

• Volunteer Agreement
• Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct
• Social Media User Policy
• Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Policy
• One Oxfam Non-Staff Joint Code of Conduct
• One Oxfam Conflict of Interest Policy

We advertise volunteer and internship positions on our volunteer vacancies page. To apply, please register online. We also occasionally recruit using external volunteer websites. For all positions, an interview is arranged between the candidate and manager to ensure we find a good fit for both parties.

All Oxfam Australia volunteers are provided with a position description which describes their key tasks and the skills and attributes required. The position description also outlines the purpose of the position and how the role contributes to Oxfam’s work.

Interns are provided with a term of reference document which outlines the project that they will be working on and the expected timeline and outcome.

Training

Volunteers and interns working in an office or remotely will receive an induction on their first day in the office or online. If applicable, it includes a tour of the office, staff introductions, an overview of their position description or terms of reference, and the completion of an induction checklist.

Volunteers and interns are invited and encouraged to attend relevant in-house training and information sessions. Ongoing on-the-job training and support is also provided.

Oxfam Australia staff are supported whilst managing volunteers and interns to ensure the experience is rewarding for both parties.

Recognition

Volunteer and interns at Oxfam Australia make a tangible difference in many ways to our organisation. To show our appreciation, we celebrate the contributions of volunteers and interns throughout the year at times such as during National Volunteer Week and on International Volunteer Day. Managers are also encouraged to celebrate with their volunteer or intern by arranging team lunches, formal recognition of their work, and of course, good old-fashioned certificates! A statement of service can also be provided upon request.

We also celebrate International Volunteer Managers Day in November each year to acknowledge the dedication, hard work and effort of the managers that support Oxfam volunteers and interns.

Feedback

Throughout their engagement, volunteers and interns are required to register their attendance in our volunteer management system. This provides Oxfam with a record of attendance and provides volunteers and interns with the opportunity to leave a rating of their experience for that day.

We ask volunteers, interns, and their managers to complete online feedback questionnaires at the completion of their assignment so we can improve our management practices and strengthen our volunteer and intern engagement program. The questionnaires cover all stages of engagement from recruitment to exit. The survey can be filled out anonymously if desired.

Reimbursement

Office volunteers and interns are entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred as a result of their assignment with Oxfam Australia. Office volunteers and interns are entitled to claim up to a maximum of fifteen dollars ($15) per day as reimbursement for transport, meals, and other costs, provided that:

• Attendance was in-person at an office or event
• Receipts are provided
• The shift has been registered in Better Impact (volunteer management system)

Reimbursement is not available to volunteers or interns who conduct tasks from home. The amount of volunteer reimbursement is reviewed annually as prescribed by Oxfam Australia’s Volunteer Reimbursement Policy.

Health and safety

All volunteers and interns are required to complete online Work Health and Safety training during their induction. Volunteers and interns complete the same Work Health and Safety training applicable to Oxfam Australia staff.