Singapore International Foundation

What We Look For

The SIV programme welcomes committed individuals who are willing and able to make a meaningful contribution to capacity development while living and working in culturally diverse developing communities.  In addition to having relevant skills, candidates should also be mature and responsible, with strong interpersonal skills, cross cultural sensitivity and who are open to learning and developing themselves. We expect volunteers to be prepared to listen and talk, encourage and facilitate learning and change, as well as share and exchange ideas, skills and experience.

Eligibility

If you are interested in becoming an SIV, please note that you must first meet the basic criteria below. You must be:

• A Singapore citizen or Permanent Resident
• At least 21 years old with a minimum of two years' working experience
• In good health
• Mature and adaptable with strong interpersonal skills
• Prepared to commit at least 12 months of service in a developing country
• Willing to work where you are most needed

Interview And Selection

Once we receive your application, we will carry out a paper screening based on the information you provide in your application form. This process helps us to determine if you meet our basic criteria and whether you have skills that match available assignments.

As this part of the selection process relies heavily on the information you provide in your application, we encourage you to provide accurate and complete information about your work experience, education history, interests and background. Any additional information about you and your interest to serve as a volunteer overseas will be helpful.

Depending on the paper screening, we will inform you on whether or not you are required to attend an interview at SIF. You will be invited to an interview if your skills match available assignments. You can expect a reply from us within 2 weeks.

Applicants who do not meet eligibility criteria will be informed of their unsuccessful status while applicants who are eligible, but whose skills do not match available assignments will be included in our database for future matching.

The interview will be conducted by 2 Country Managers. It helps us get to know you better, understand your reasons for wanting to volunteer, and assess whether you are suited to become an SIV. The interview also gives you an opportunity to get to know the SIV programme better.

Matching And Placement

If the interview is successful, you will be invited to move on to the next stage. SIF will arrange for you to undergo a medical test and a personality profiling test. At this stage, SIF might discuss more details of the available assignment with you as well.

If the results of your medical test is favourable and once the personality profiling test is completed, SIF will send your CV to the host agency for their consideration. The host agency will make the final decision on your suitability for the assignment.

Once SIF and the host agency have mutually agreed on your suitability for the assignment, SIF will begin making preparations for your departure. We may recommend that you acquire additional skills or volunteer experience in order to prepare for certain assignments. You can expect to begin your assignment within 6 to 9 months after a successful match.