A Unique Professional Development and Corporate Social Responsibility Opportunity

Do you need a unique professional development opportunity or challenge for yourself or other high-potential individuals (in any type of job) in your organization?

And wouldn’t it be great if you could get this experience while helping improve the state of business and make a difference in the lives of others in a developing country?

If you, or a high potential individual in your organization, answered "yes" to both of these questions, then the SHRM Foundation would like to introduce you to ACDI/VOCA, a Washington, DC-based international development organization experienced in managing impactful, skills-based international volunteering programs offering volunteer opportunties to professionals at not cost to the professional or their organization.

ACDI/VOCA has been a leader in skills-based international volunteering for more than 40 years. Since 1985, ACDI/VOCA has mobilized over 12,000 skilled Americans in short-term (e.g., 2 to 3 weeks) volunteer assignments on behalf of the US government to improve the agricultural, business, government and nonprofit sectors of the developing world.  The work of these professionals has advanced US foreign policy objectives, as well as facilitated skills-transfer and promoted cultural understanding.

The SHRM Foundation highly recommends the ACDI/VOCA volunteer program as a way to gain extremely valuable international experience and apply your unique skills, while developing and expanding your skill set, to make a difference in the lives of those in developing countries. As a U.S. Government-backed program, the costs of this opportunity are fully covered. If you would like to be a volunteer, or you have a high-potential employee in your organization that you would like to nominate as a volunteer in the ACDI/VOCA program, please contact Jack Hawkins, Senior Director of Volunteer Programs at jhawkins@acdivoca.org.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is “skills-based international volunteering”?

Skills-based international volunteering enables professionals to apply their experience and training to problem-solving in communities around the world.

What are benefits of skills-based international volunteering?

Professionals benefit from opportunities to test their capabilities and develop new skills.  Participation in international volunteering can help professionals advance in their careers.  Companies employing these professionals benefit from an engaged and global-minded workforce.

Apart from career-related benefits, those who volunteer can find personal satisfaction from helping to improve the lives of others throughout the world.

Who is ACDI/VOCA and what is its role?

ACDI/VOCA is a global development nonprofit that has also been a leader in skills-based international volunteering for more than 40 years, engaging nearly 12,000 volunteers to improve the agricultural, business, government and nonprofit sectors of the developing world.  It currently manages volunteer programs for the US government and a leading multinational corporation. 

Working with the SHRM Foundation, ACDI/VOCA will develop scopes of work (SOWs) for volunteer assignments, help recruit and select volunteers with appropriate skill sets, handle all assignment travel and logistics, and provide risk management services.  Importantly, ACDI/VOCA will also cover all assignment costs. 

What types of volunteer assignments are available and where are they located?

ACDI/VOCA is currently recruiting volunteers to advise on human resources management, strategic planning, financial planning and accounting, marketing, and business development.  Volunteer assignments are competitive.  Volunteer assignments are typically conducted over a 2-3 week period, and are hosted by ACDI/VOCA’s local partners, non-profit organizations and business entities across West Africa, Central Asia, South America and the Caribbean. 

Where can I find additional information?

For an overview of ACDI/VOCA’s skills-based international volunteering activities click here.  If you or your colleagues would like to learn more about the SHRM Foundation-ACDI/VOCA International Volunteer Partnership, please contact Jack Hawkins, Senior Director of Volunteer Programs at jhawkins@acdivoca.org.