Leave for Change
Volunteer Opportunities

Each Leave for Change partner has their own application process. Speak to your employer to find out more and to receive an application form.

Once you have obtained your application form and are familiar with the application process, we invite you to view the current Leave for Change Opportunities. When applying please state your first, second and third choice of assignment on the application form. If you do not see a position that matches your skill-set, we encourage you to apply anyways as new opportunities come up frequently. The listed positions represent a small percentage of the skills and knowledge from which our local country partners could benefit. If you are not applying to a specific assignment, please ensure to state your main areas of interest and skill set in the application form.

Leave for Change assignments are designed to fit in with your busy professional and personal schedule. Assignments are short-term, minimum three weeks (but can be longer!) with flexible, year round departures. Although we endeavor to accommodate your preferred choice of country and departure date please note that our top priority is to match your skills, experience and interests to the needs of one of our local country partners.

Leave for Change assignments take place in Jordan, Côte d’Ivoire, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Malawi. The qualifications, skills and experience required vary greatly depending on the needs of our local partners. Please note that country preferences are taken into consideration but not guaranteed. The first priority is to match your skills and interests to the needs of one of our local country partners.

The WUSC volunteer cooperation program is all about strengthening the capacities of our local partner organizations. Acting as advisors, volunteers share their knowledge and skills from their area of expertise with our partner organizations. By working together, they strengthen the host organization’s capacities in a specific field. By sharing their experiences and time, volunteers gain a host of new skills such as increased intercultural communication skills, better knowledge and understanding of global development and become more open-minded, adaptable and innovative.

You will gain a wider understanding of global development issues, gain valuable intercultural experiences, expand your skill set and meet interesting people along the way. See what past Leave for Change volunteers have said about their experience and the skills they have gained.

Volunteers must have the required professional qualifications for their assignment. As the assignments are very short in nature, we also seek volunteers who are very adaptable and able to quickly immerse themselves into their new work environment.

No, due to the short term nature of the assignment and funder’s requirements, accompanied assignments are not possible for assignments under 12 months duration.

Accommodation will be consistent with local standards; they will be safe, clean and meet WUSC’s accommodation criteria.

It is possible to extend your return flight home after your assignment has finished at your own expense. If you decide to extend your stay beyond the end of your contract date please note that all terms and conditions, benefits, duty of care offered by WUSC ends on the last day of your contract. If you would like to find out how to change your return flight at your own cost, please contact your WUSC administrator for more information.

Unless stipulated otherwise by your employer, you do not have to contribute financially. Pre-departure training, vaccinations, visas, flights, accommodation, a modest per-diem for food and local travel required for the volunteer work are all provided.

WUSC’s volunteer cooperation program would not be possible without the financial support of the Government of Canada and our Canadian Leave for Change partners.

Yes, you are insured under WUSC’s emergency medical insurance policy from the date you travel until the date you return to Canada. The WUSC insurance policy includes hospitalization fees and medical evacuation as required, reimbursement of eligible medication and vaccinations.

Yes. We have a WUSC office in each of the countries where volunteer assignments take place. There is an emergency protocol established in each country. Our staff in the host country is responsible for assisting volunteers in case of serious social, medical or environmental problems in the host country.

If you are unsure if your employer is a Leave for Change partner please enquire directly with your employer or see our Leave for Change partner list. If you think this may be of interest to your employer please speak to them about this program and put them in touch with us. You can also check out our Volunteer Opportunities for assignments available to the general public.