Singapore International Foundation

FAQ For In-Field SIVs

1. I hear that it is not easy to be selected as an SIV. Do I have to hold specific qualifications to become an SIV?
To become an SIV, applicants must be a Singapore citizen or Permanent Resident of above 21 years old. They should also have at least two years of relevant working experience and be able to commit for the entire duration of the assignment. When evaluating an applicant, we consider the 'whole person', including the life experiences, community involvement, volunteer work experience, motivations and your hobbies.

2. I am not a Singapore citizen or a Permanent Resident. Can I join the SIV programme?
We appreciate the interests of our friends around the world, only Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents may join the SIV programme.

3. How much will I get paid in the SIV programme? Do I have to pay for anything?
We do not pay our SIVs salaries. As an in-field SIV, you will receive a monthly allowance to cover necessities such as food, housing expenses (if applicable) and local transportation. The amount of stipend will vary from country to country. The SIV programme will also pay for transportation to and from your country of service and insurance, etc. You may visit 'Support for SIVs' for other details.

4. Can I choose where I'll serve as an SIV?
We will make every effort to accommodate your interest and preferences for serving as an SIV, but we cannot guarantee placement in any specific country or region. Our main priority is to place you in a country where your skills are most needed, so we encourage you to be flexible when you are offered an assignment.

5. Can I extend my SIV assignment?
A serving SIV at the end of his/her assignment may request for an extension, subject to agreement by SIF and the host agency.

6. Is there any specific time when I have to leave for my assignment?
Those going out to teach in schools usually leave for their country of service in June or December. Non-teaching SIVs will, in consultation with the SIV programme and their host agencies, determine the date to begin their assignments.

7. Will I get unpaid leave while on an SIV assignment?
The Public Service Division may grant a Civil or Public Service employee a year's no-pay leave to go on an SIV assignment. Employers in the private sector may also consider granting similar terms to their staff. It is your responsibility to make your own leave arrangements with your employer. We will provide you with supporting documents to your employer on request.

8. What is the OuTrEACH scheme for teachers?
This is a scheme by the Ministry of Education, which supports MOE Teachers on an SIV assignment. Please see 'Additional Support for Teachers from Ministry of Education' for more information.

9. I am serving a study bond. Can it be deferred or cancelled while I serve as an SIV?
The SIV programme does not grant deferments, cancellations for government or private sector study bonds. You must obtain them directly from your employer or the organisation administering your bond.

10. Can married couples join the SIV programme? Can I serve with my husband/wife or boy/girlfriend?
SIV service can be a rewarding, enriching experience for married couples. Some of our SIVs are married. For the married SIV who is serving alone, we provide his/her spouse with an air ticket for a visit during the term of the assignment. If you would like to serve as a couple, we will try to identify placements for both of you to live and work in the same community though you may not necessarily be assigned to a common workplace. Your assignment will be determined by the skills you have and the needs of the host agency. We however will not guarantee placement in the same country for couples who are not legally married.

11. Does the SIV programme accept senior citizens?
You are never too old to serve on the SIV programme. While volunteers must be at least 21 years old, there is no upper age limit. We welcome senior citizens who will bring a wealth of experience to the programme and the countries hosting our volunteers.

12. What support will the SIV programme provide before I leave for my assignment?
Kindly refer to 'Support for SIVs' for more information.

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FAQ For Specialist Team SIVs

1. How are Specialist Team projects chosen? Can I recommend a project of my own?
Specialist Team projects may result from a direct request from the host country or from a suggestion by someone interested to lead a Specialist Team. You are welcomed to submit your detailed proposal to SIF for consideration.

2. I am interested to lead a Specialist Team. How do I go about it?
You can approach us to indicate the type of Specialist Team project you are interested to lead. If you already have something in mind, let us have your proposal for consideration. Alternatively, we will get in touch with you should we receive a request that can tap on your expertise.

3. Am I restricted in the types of Specialist Team projects I can lead?
We only carry out Specialist Team projects in countries currently hosting the SIV Programme. When evaluating a Specialist Team project, we use a set of criteria, including whether it meets our aim of capacity building through sustainable human resource development, the benefits to the local community at large, and whether the skills and technology developed are appropriate to the country's needs and available resources.

4. Is there a minimum time period I can volunteer?
Our Specialist Team projects generally last between two and five years. We require each Specialist Team to commit to carrying out at least one training mission per year, with each mission stretching from a week to four weeks. If you are planning to lead a Specialist Team, you need to be able to commit to serving for a two-year period at the minimum.

5. Will I be able to choose my team members? Do they all have to come from the same institution?
Once we have appointed you to lead a Specialist Team, you are required to put together a group of people with the skills required for the project. We have no preference to whether the team should comprise members from a single or different organisation. You do have to ensure your team members meet the basic requirements of having relevant skills, positive interest in volunteering overseas, high commitment and positive personal attributes.

6. Will I get unrecorded leave while on a Specialist Team project?
You are responsible for obtaining leave of absence directly from your employer when participating in a Specialist Team project. Specialist Team members working in government ministries or statutory boards may be granted unrecorded leave. The SIV Programme will provide supporting documents to the employers concerned.

7. Will I have to contribute financially to the Specialist Team project? What support does the SIV Programme provide me?
The SIV Programme will undertake to provide you with the transportation to and from your country of service, necessary immunisations, local transport and accommodation, and insurance coverage. You will also be provided with a daily allowance to cover your meals and incidentals. Grants for the purchase of training materials and equipment to support the project will be provided on a case-by-case basis. Please see 'Support for SIVs'.

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FAQs for Direct Service Projects

1. What are the prerequisites to be part of a Direct Service Projects volunteer group?
We require a minimum group of 6-12 members for each volunteer trip, which will span at least three days.

The volunteers must be:

• At least 18 years old and above
• Medically fit for overseas travel
• Adaptable and willing to serve in a challenging physical environment
• Able to manage socio-cultural diversity
• Open to sharing and learning
• A team player with good interpersonal skills

Please see volunteer vacancies for Direct Service Projects volunteer openings.

You can fill up the sign-up form or you may contact us at siv@sif.org.sg for more details.

2. I am unable to form a group. Can the SIF help to find or link me up with other like-minded volunteers?
We will facilitate matching of individuals to form a group based on the dates we scheduled and will inform you once we have enough people to form the group.

You may speak to us to discuss your interest in volunteering for this project.

3. I am a foreigner/PR living in Singapore. Can I volunteer in Direct Service Projects?
Yes, we welcome volunteers who are residing in Singapore.

4. What are the costs involved for volunteers?
Costs include airfare, accommodation, travel insurance, local transport, logistics, and some meals. This may vary from project to project, depending on the location.

5. Does the SIF provide any funding for such volunteer groups?
All volunteers are required to finance their own volunteer trips. This is because the Direct Service Projects platform focuses on channelling resources to disadvantaged communities and directly addressing their immediate concerns.

By having volunteers to take care of their own costs, we are then able focus resources on the communities.

You may choose to raise funds publicly or privately among friends and family. Please check with the Commissioner of Charities and the Singapore Police Force for the regulations pertaining to public fund-raising as well as application for fund-raising permits.

6. I would like to donate cash or resources to the project. How can I do it and can this be tax-deductible?
While we welcome donations of funds as well as resources, we will need more information on your donation before assessing if this is viable for the overseas community, and if it can be tax-deductible. Please contact us at siv@sif.org.sg for further discussions.

7. Can we extend or shorten the volunteer trip?
If you are able to form a group of 6 - 12 volunteers, please contact us at siv@sif.org.sg to discuss your travel dates.

8. What is the SIF's role in organising the volunteering trip?
Once a group is formed, the SIF will guide the designated volunteer team leader in coordinating with volunteers to meet all administrative and logistic needs. Aside from being the liaison between the overseas community and the volunteers, the SIF will also conduct a pre-departure briefing to ensure a safe and enriching volunteering experience. An SIF staff will also be assigned on the actual volunteer trip.

9. Is the volunteering trip dangerous?
There are inherent risks associated with overseas volunteering. The SIF advises all volunteers to purchase travel insurance and take all necessary precautions in terms of personal medical needs and safety.

While the SIF will take the necessary precautions to provide a safe working environment, the volunteers will need to take full responsibilities of inherent risks when travelling and working at the project site.

10. Will there be any certificates/acknowledgment for volunteering in Direct Service Projects?
Upon completion of your volunteer trip, SIF will provide you a Certificate of Participation and you will become part of the community of Singapore International Volunteers. You will get to enjoy the list of privileges accorded to this community of volunteers.

11. Are there other direct-service projects that we can volunteer in?
We are continuously seeking projects that will engage Singapore community to participate in the SIF's overseas Direct Service Projects.

If you are interested to find out more, feel free to contact us through our website or sign up for our E-Newsletter to receive regular updates and volunteer opportunities.

12. I am looking for projects as part of the Youth Expedition Project. Can we volunteer in the SIF's Direct Service Projects with YEP funding?
Our Direct Service Projects are designed for short-term volunteering. Hence, we are unable to support projects under the Youth Expedition Project.