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What are the roles?

So you're interested in volunteering overseas, but what kind of role should you choose?

Raleigh's volunteer manager team is made up of project based and fieldbase volunteers. All roles require grounded skills and experience coupled with an enthusiastic and positive attitude. We recognise that many people wish to take on a new role which is completely different to what they do at home. We therefore provide full training to build upon your existing skills, knowledge and experience.

Keep an open mind

We will help you select which role is most suited to your skills; there might be more than one role that suits you, so keep an open mind! If you are undecided about which role you would like or there are two roles you'd like to apply for, please indicate this on our online application form.

When you move onto the next stage of assessment, we will assess your suitability for different roles and help you decide which is most appropriate. Attending an open event and assessment weekend will help you find out more about life on expedition, the different roles and if Raleigh is right for you.

Click below for more details.

Project based roles

Project based volunteer managers work on remote and challenging environmental, community and/or adventure projects. Always working alongside at least one other volunteer manager, it will be your responsibility to motivate, facilitate, lead and inspire a group of around 12 venturers to achieve the project's objectives as well as their individual personal development goals.

Other responsibilities include health and safety, project planning, liaison with local project partners and group facilitation. Project based volunteer managers must be adaptable and able to cope with stressful situations in a calm, logical manner.

Project Based Roles and Responsibilities (click on role for full role description)

  • Project Manager: works alongside at least one other Project Manager to conduct an initial project planning visit, to facilitate groups of venturers and to oversee the project's progress and completion.
  • Adventure Project Manager: works alongside at least one other Project Manager to lead a unique, challenging and remote adventure project. Adventure projects always involve trekking but could also include cycling, rafting, kayaking or scuba diving.
  • Medic: undertakes the role of Project Manager, in addition to overseeing the medical welfare of participants (prevention and cure).
  • Spanish Interpreter: (only available in Costa Rica & Nicaragua), undertakes the role of Project Manager with particular focus on language translation and ensuring good relationships between the local community, host country volunteers and venturers.

Fieldbase roles

Fieldbase is the operational hub of the expedition; it is always buzzing with a wide range of different activities. The fieldbase team have many responsibilities. These include maintaining daily communications with every project group, providing medical support, overseeing expedition finances, purchasing and allocating food and equipment to every project group, visiting project sites and organising the busy changeover periods between phases.

There’s never a dull moment and no matter what your role, there is always the opportunity for you to help out with other key roles and to visit project sites. Fieldbase volunteers will sometimes have the opportunity to spend a phase on a project site in the role of Project Manager. Fieldbase volunteers must be strong team players, with the ability to work alone and take a dynamic and flexible approach to problem solving.

Fieldbase Roles and Responsibilities (click on role for full role description)

Logistics Manager and Logistics Coordinator: oversee the purchase, allocation and delivery of all food and equipment for the project groups.

Communications Officer: oversees internal and external communications, including the expedition blog, magazine, local media coverage and volunteer case studies.

Finance Manager (Costa Rica & Nicaragua and Borneo only): oversees expedition finances and budgets, including project costs, the expedition shop and the currency exchange available to venturers during changeover.

Administrator: provides administrative support, including organisation of visas, volunteer project allocations and event organisation of 'changeover' periods between project phases and end of expedition celebrations.

Medic: provides remote medical support to all volunteers via phone or high frequency radio. He/she will oversee and keep an accurate log of all medical scenarios on all project sites. Treatment of patients at fieldbase.

Photographer: uses photography to capture and document expedition life and achievements, for use in the expedition magazine and slideshow, and by head office for marketing purposes.

Videographer: uses videography to capture expedition life and achievements, for use by participants and head office for information giving and marketing purposes.

Artist: prepares art supplies for project sites and to inspire and encourage the use of art by venturers on project sites. Whilst spending time on project sites the artist must also take on the responsibilities of a Project Manager.

Driver (Costa Rica & Nicaragua only): works within the logistics team to allocate and transport food, equipment and volunteers to project sites, using Raleigh's fleet of 4 wheel drive vehicles.

Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (India only): monitors and evaluates the progress of past and ongoing Raleigh projects.