Be a Volunteer Manager on a Raleigh programme, supporting young people and local communities on sustainable development projects.
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What is a Volunteer Manager?
Young volunteers from across the globe join a Raleigh Expedition to develop their skills and confidence, gain new experiences and work on impactful hands-on projects.
Our Volunteer Managers (VM) are the driving force behind the Expedition and are vital to ensuring the programmes run smoothly and effectively. VMs work alongside permanent country staff and help keep the young volunteers safe whilst on Expedition.
Whether you’re out on the project sites or in the country office, you need to be flexible and adaptable to meet the demands of a fast-paced Expedition environment. Every Expedition is different, but the Volunteer Manager team should be ready to get stuck in and put the needs of the Expedition first.
“Raleigh has improved my confidence leading teams”
Nicole | Volunteer Manager
Available Volunteer Manager Roles
If you are age 25-75, we welcome you to apply to join Raleigh Expedition as part of the Volunteer Manager Team in one of five roles.
Project Manager
Your role will be to facilitate a group of young people aged 17-24 out on the project sites. You will be supporting the team to deliver Raleigh International’s project aims as well as monitoring and coaching the young people to help with their personal development.
Content Creator
Behind every project, every volunteer and every community member Raleigh supports, there is a story to be told. As the Content Creator, you will find these stories and work side-by-side with young people to generate exciting, engaging and high-quality content for Raleigh’s communications channels.
Photographer
Your primary role will be to identify and document powerful stories through photography and film. You will work alongside the volunteer content creator officer to gather visual content for our communications channels.
Health and Wellbeing Coordinator
You will look after the general health of the volunteers and will be the key point of contact in managing any medical emergencies. You will support the young people with their well-being providing an environment where volunteers feel safe and secure.
Logistics Coordinator
As the Logistics Officer, you will be essential to the smooth running of the programme. Your role is to ensure all food, equipment and materials are coordinated and supplied for volunteer teams at their project sites.
Why choose Raleigh International?
Being a Volunteer Manager on Raleigh Expedition is a unique opportunity to work alongside and support young people and partner with local communities to create lasting change.
Raleigh Expedition is your chance to practically build your skills that could boost your career and life whilst working on meaningful projects in a unique environment.
Our projects are developed in partnership with communities and local organisations to ensure we are creating change that lasts. And by making young people the focus, we are equipping the next generation with the skills and experience to achieve this in the long term.
With over 40 years of experience running expeditions, you will be part of a global community of over 55,000 alumni.
Benefits of being a Volunteer Manager
- Support and work alongside young people
- Partner with local communities to create lasting change
- Learn and develop new skills to boost your career
- Be part of a global community
- Take action on some of the worlds most important issues
Raleigh Expedition
Change starts here
On Expedition, you will create unique memories to last a lifetime and partner with communities to identify where change is needed most to create a positive, lasting impact.
Projects you can join in Costa Rica
You can get involved in up to 3 phases (Community, Environmental and Trek).
For a full itinerary of what a 10-week Expedition could look like, download a Guide.
01. Community
Improve access to education in indigenous communities and support young people to develop the tools to prosper in later life.
Children in indigenous communities often face major barriers to accessing education, with illiteracy rates being considerably higher in indigenous areas in comparison to the rest of Costa Rica. You will work to support access to education by constructing educational centres and classrooms in indigenous communities, helping to provide the space for young people to develop the tools to prosper later in life.
02. Environmental
Partner with expert organisations to support biodiversity preservation and development in indigenous territories.
You will work with experts to develop skills and tools to become Active Global Citizens. Become part of a generation of defenders of the natural environment, to protect biodiversity and increase the resilience of disadvantaged rural communities. The climate emergency is one of the greatest challenges facing our planet. But with us you can get support to become leaders in the fight against climate change.
03. Adventure Leadership
Our Adventure Leadership projects take teams on challenging treks through rainforests and up volcanoes on a variety of stunning routes that tourists don’t get access to.
No matter what trekking experience you have, everyone starts and finishes trek together – come rain or shine! Supporting one another, not giving up and sharing your achievements together will be some of the most memorable and defining moments of your Expedition.
What can I expect on my Raleigh Expedition?
Everyone’s Expedition is slightly different – depending on how long you stay when you go and where. This is an outline of what you can expect from a 10-week Expedition. For a more in-depth description of life on a Costa Rica Expedition, including camp life and project info, download your sample itinerary.
Arrive at San José airport
You will be met by the country team
Induction and training (3-4 days)
Get to know your fellow volunteers and prepare for Expedition life. You’ll receive essential training on topics such as health and safety and cultural awareness.
Community Project (19- 21 days)
Volunteers work together on community projects agreed with partners and community leaders. You will be staying in a school classroom which is set up as a bedroom. You will be using all the school facilities (bathrooms, showers, kitchen).
Debrief at base camp (2-3 days)
At the end of each phase, everyone returns to the training centre for a few days before moving on to your next project. You’ll catch up with the rest of the Expedition team and start to prepare for your next project. Project groups will change between each phase, this is an important part of the Expedition experience.
Adventure Leadership Project (19 – 21 days)
On this trek, every day is different, including the weather and the accommodation. Go from camping on top of a mountain and sleeping under the stars to camping in a community centre.
Environmental Project (19 – 21 days)
Volunteers will support the maintenance and conservation of existing ecosystems and assist local communities to preserve such a biodiverse nature.
Final review at base (2 days)
All Expeditions end with everyone coming together for a final few days back at the training centre. Catch up with friends and celebrate all you have achieved together.
Projects you can join in South Africa
You can get involved in up to 3 phases (Community, Environmental and Trek).
For a full itinerary of what a 10-week Expedition could look like, download a Guide.
01. Community
This community-led project is focussed around finding sustainable solutions to issues such as poverty, low levels of education, food insecurity, and unemployment.
Each day you will walk into the adjacent community, working as a team on projects such as building sustainable food gardens. You will discover a warm welcome, gain an appreciation for the local culture and learn some of the Xitsonga language (one of the 11 official languages of South Africa)
02. Environmental
This phase will have direct impact on restoring a healthy habitat on land bordering the Kruger National Park.
You will be involved in alien plant removal, indigenous tree planting, combating soil erosion, snare sweeps, litter picks and road clearing. All of which will help accelerate the restoration of a wilderness. The work will be physical, dirty and fun, making a difference to the health of the habitat.
03. Adventure Leadership
Supported by our local experienced guide, medic and Raleigh leaders, your trek will allow you to explore a true wilderness, with no marked trails, facilities or shops along the way.
Everyone starts and finishes trek together, come rain or sun (or even snow!) and no matter what trekking experience you have beforehand. Supporting one another through these moments, not giving up and sharing your achievements together will be some of the most memorable and defining moments of your Expedition.
What can I expect on my Raleigh Expedition?
Everyone’s Expedition is slightly different – depending on how long you stay when you go and where. This is an outline of what you can expect from a 10-week Expedition. For a more in-depth description of life on a South Africa Expedition, including camp life and project info, download your sample itinerary.
Arrive at Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport
You will be met by the country team
Induction and training (3-4 days)
Get to know your fellow volunteers and prepare for Expedition life. You’ll receive essential training on topics such as health and safety and cultural awareness.
Community Project (19- 21 days)
Each day you will walk into the adjacent community, working as a team and sometimes alongside members of the community, working on building sustainable food gardens.
Debrief at base camp (2-3 days)
At the end of each phase, everyone returns to the training centre for a few days before moving on to your next project. You’ll catch up with the rest of the Expedition team and start to prepare for your next project. Project groups will change between each phase, this is an important part of the Expedition experience.
Adventure Leadership Project (19 – 21 days)
For this leg of your adventure, you will head to Drakensberg. You will travel together by bus for a day through northern South Africa, skirting around Swaziland and heading towards the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho.
Environmental Project (19 – 21 days)
Take part in physical conservation work in the reserve. The work will be physical, dirty and fun, making a difference to the health of the habitat.
Final review at base (2 days)
All Expeditions end with everyone coming together for a final few days back at the training centre. Catch up with friends and celebrate all you have achieved together.
Departure from Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport
Training and support
We have a dedicated team to support you with information and training before and during your Expedition.
Whilst some specific experience is required for particular roles, you don’t need specialist skills or knowledge of our projects. We will give you thorough online training beforehand and during your induction when you arrive in your Expedition country.
We will also send you everything you need to know and prepare in advance and share how you can support the personal development of young people on of your Expedition.
“It’s given me a lot more confidence about what to do next, just because you’re retired doesn’t mean you haven’t got those skills and experience.”
Kathy | Volunteer Manager
When can I go and how much?
We run three cycles every year during the following times.
2023 Costa Rica
Volunteer Manager Dates and Costs
CYCLE 2
JUNE - AUGUST
13 Weeks
(Office based roles)
9th June – 4th September 2023
£2,724$3,700
12 Weeks
(Project Managers)
14th June – 4th September 2023
£2,641$3,600
11 Weeks
(Project Managers)
14th June – 28th August 2023
£2,559$3,500
CYCLE 3
OCTOBER - DECEMBER
13 Weeks
(Office based roles)
20th September – 16th December 2023
£2,724$3,700
12 Weeks
(Project Managers)
25th September – 16th December 2023
£2,641$3,600
2023 South Africa
Volunteer Manager Dates and Costs
2024 Costa Rica and South Africa
Volunteer Manager Dates and Costs
CYCLE 2
JUNE - AUGUST
12 Weeks
10th June – 31st August 2024
£2,641$3,600
8 Weeks
10th June – 6th August 2024
£2,500$3,300
What’s included
- Airport welcome and transfers
- All food, transport and accommodation in Expedition country
- 24-hour support from Expedition country office and UK staff
- Safety expertise
- Extensive pre-departure information and support
- Local orientation, project training & equipment
- Raleigh t-shirt
Not Included
- Flights
- Visas
- Vaccinations
- Personal kit
- Travel insurance
A full breakdown of whats included and not included along with a welcome pack to help you prepare will be provided on application.
How will Raleigh Expedition benefit my personal development?
Through a Raleigh Expedition, you will gain new knowledge and unique experiences. These support University applications and personal statements as well as help develop character and invaluable life skills.
Personal development
- Leadership
- Initiative
- Interpersonal skills
- Self-awareness
- Mental resilience
- Endurance
Professional and educational development
- Problem solving
- Committment
- Communication skills
- Team working and collaboration
- Planning
Culture learning
- Understanding of global issues
- Cultural understanding
- Experience and learn different languages
Raleigh volunteers go on to make a difference long after Expedition. 7,625 young people have developed entrepreneurship skills and started more than 2,000 micro-enterprises which give them sustained, safe, fair and dignified work opportunities.
How to apply
We advise Volunteer Managers to apply well in advance of Expedition to give you the best chance of getting your first choice of role and country.
Volunteer Manager Application
Apply online
Complete the online form and upload a copy of your CV / résumé. Please tell us as much as you can about yourself, including relevant skills and experience. Don’t worry if you don’t know which role is right for you – just put ‘undecided’.
Assessment Event
If your application form is approved, you will be invited to attend an assessment event. This also gives you the opportunity to hear more about Raleigh Expedition. If successful, you will then be offered a place on one of our Expeditions.
Confirmation
To confirm your place on Expedition, we will ask you for a deposit of £350$350 when you receive our offer letter. This will be deducted from your total.
Pre-departure
Prepare for your expedition! Our team will support you and send you everything you need for your Expedition. You will then be invited to your Volunteer Manager Training event.
