Mid-Term-Volunteer Placement Description:
Placement in the field: Taking care of the Worldwide Friends hostel in Reykjavik and the logistics.
Number of placements: 2
Location: Reykjavik is a city full of energy, just waiting for you to experience it. Powered by heat from the earth below, with ever-changing weather sweeping across the landscape, its natural features are matched by the energy of its residents. Think of the qualities of a great city - fun, culture, nature, clean air - and Reykjavik has them in spades. All the advantages of a modern, forward-looking society are complemented by the beautiful natural setting. In a country of only just over 300,000 people, the Reykjavik Capital Area has a population of about 200,000. However, since it’s the only major city in the country, Reykjavik has a lot of the amenities that you would only expect to find in a much larger center elsewhere in the world.
Reykjavik is the world’s northernmost capital city and is centered on the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula. Come at the right time of year, and infavorable conditions you will see the city’s skyline silhouetted against the glowing, shimmering curtain of the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights. Reykjavik is framed by the majestic Mt. Esja and the blue waters of Faxafloi Bay to the north, while rugged lava-fields spread to the southeast. On a clear sunny day, the Snaefellsjökull glacier glitters on the western horizon like a crystal.
Short description of the project/projects: The two volunteers will work as a team under the supervision of the director of the organization. Theyare responsible for the sleeping bag accommodation which the organization has in the centre of Reykjavik. They control how many people stay there, and makes sure that there is a place to sleep for everybody in a comfort way. They also make sure that the premises remain safe and clean. They are also one of the first representatives of WF thatour volunteers meet and their main task is to welcome the volunteers in a good way from the very first moment.
They are also responsible for all food shopping for camps and volunteers in Reykjavik and organizing and guiding excursions offered by the organization.
At the beginning of the stay here, they will receive qualified training from the organisation members. This training will capacitate them to perform the projects´ activities. At the same timethey will receive guidance in how to plan, organize and do the project, including topics as group management, conflict resolution, bookkeeping, development, leader roles, intercultural cooperation, motivation, etc. They will also receive practical information about planning a project, spare time activities, first aid, etc.
Activities: As the stay in the WF accommodation is meant to already be a part of the participants’ workcamp experience in Iceland, it is important to keep the accommodation a nice place, where volunteers like to stay and meet each other.
One of the tasks is to provide and update information for the guests. First of all, some basic information is put up at a central place in the hostel, so that arriving workcampers notice that they are at the right place, and that there will be a meeting point for their workcamp. Furthermore, they surely want to know where they can buy food, change money, how much they have to pay for their stay, what house rules there are, etc.
Besides these administrative tasks, an important part of the job is to keep the premises safe and clean. This involves keeping an eye to the participants’ cleaning up after themselves, as well as cleaning on a regular. Keeping the food in the kitchen in order, discarding expired food, and regularly disposing the rubbish are important tasks as well. Theyalso have to ensurethat no unauthorized person enters the premises.
WF offers low costs excursions to all volunteers. The team will be responsible for organizing and offering those excursions to our volunteers. They will also join those excursions on a regular basis.
The volunteers will also be responsible for the website of the organization www.wf.isand https://www.facebook.com/WFveraldarvinir
Profile of the organisation: Veraldarvinir, Worldwide Friends (WF), was founded in 2001 as a non-profit organisation promoting nature and peace oriented activities for volunteers wanting to spend some time in Iceland. We also send local volunteers intending to have similar experiences abroad. WF aims at promoting active participation of people and its mobility, intercultural learning and voluntary service, through non-formal educational activities. The main activities offered are workcamps, seminars, local events and exchange programmes suitable both for young people and adults.
WF is a non-profit organisation with international scope.
Salary per month: No salaries or pocket money are paid
Starting dates: 01.10.2015, 20.01.2016, 01.04.2016 and 10.06.2016
Duration: Three to Six Months
Further support from the organisation:
P rovides accommodation: Yes
Food is provided: Yes
Local travels: You will have the opportunity to travel all around Iceland free of charge with the scheduled minibus trips and excursions organized by WF Iceland.
Int. travels: Not paid
Insurance: not provided. You have to get a health and accident insurance for your stay in Iceland.
Desired Profile: 22 years old +.Course of studies: Particular field of studies or defined subjects are not set. WF would like to host someone motivated to work for an NGO promoting environmental and peace oriented activities.
Linguistic skills: English spoken and written needed. Other languages are seen as an advantage.
Technical skills: Management of basic data processing packages as Microsoft Excel and Project Management, Word, Outlook and Explorer.
Skills and competencies: Our long term volunteers have to be positive and highly motivated to participate in group activities. Ability to organize on her/his own initiative. Time-management skills and ability to work under time pressure during high peaks of the season.
WF MTV – 05
