Using your language skills: Charities

While there are many voluntary organisations that provide overseas aid in the form of health, education, agriculture and construction projects, a major objective of these organisations is to devolve as much management and project development to local people as possible. Nevertheless, there are opportunities for volunteers with relevant skills such as teaching, health care, or crafts and trades to become involved in setting up these projects and to act as links with the head offices of aid organisations. Even if you don’t speak the local indigenous languages, there are still many parts of the world where French and Spanish, as well as English, are widely spoken.

Most permanent staff employed by voluntary organisations have administrative and overseas experience prior to recruitment.

Within the UK, there is a range of charities and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) where the knowledge of other languages is helpful, especially those dealing with refugees and asylum seekers.

See the public and voluntary sector for further information, job vacancies and volunteering opportunites. Also have a look at charity officer and international aid/development worker if you are interested in these specific occupations.

	Written by higher education careers professionals	Date:  Spring 2008
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