Research Associates
Volunteer Partnerships for West Africa, NGO News Africa and their partners are constantly engaged in research work and activities geared towards facilitating the creation and execution of projects and meeting specific needs of society. Volunteers are assigned a particular research study based on their competence in that field.
Research projects undertaken by volunteers might include:
- Governance
- Health
- Community Development
- Education
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Pro poor government projects
- Social & Economic Development
- Human Rights
- Agricultural Research
- Environmental Research
- Nutritional Research
To apply for a Research Associate Internship or Research Volunteer Opportunity, please send your CV to info@vpwa.org.
If we are satisfied that you have relevant skills, we will ask you to complete the volunteer application forms. Please read the Living Conditions and Cost page before sending your CV to us for evaluation.
Program Specific Requirements:
- Minimum of three years of higher education
- Innovative and creative
- Be able to work independently with little or no supervision
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Experience in both qualitative and quantitative data gathering
- Knowledge of questionnaire development techniques
- Knowledge in monitoring and evaluation techniques
- Ability to analyse and interpret data
- Good written and spoken English
- Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
- Strong commitment to values and principles of volunteering
- Ability to adjust to difficult living conditions
Volunteer Requirements for Research Associates
- At least 18 years or older
- Good spoken and written English
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Strong commitment to values and principles of volunteerism
- Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
- Ability to adjust to difficult living and working conditions
- Strong support and advocate for NGOs
- Should be able to work independently and in teams
- Ability to respect and abide by the rules of the placement activity
Further Details
| Project Duration | No duration limit |
| Dates | Placements available year round |
| Cost of Living | Refer to Living Conditions and Cost section Visit www.xe.com for the current exchange rate in your local currency |
| Deposit | Registration Fee of of 150 Euros required to secure placement Total Payment required 90 days before arrival |
| Location | Greater Accra and Eastern Region of Ghana |
| Nearest Airport | Accra Airport (ACC) – (also known as Kotoka International Airport) |
What’s Included in the Project Fees
Registration Fee (Non Refundable if you choose not to go)
- Application Review and processing
- Administration costs
- Visa Support letter
- 24/7 emergency support from VPWA
- Program marketing costs
- Pre-departure information
- Travel costs to VPWA programs
- VPWA Education & Health Fund and communication costs with volunteers
Program Fee
- Airport pick up
- Orientation
- Supervision
- Accommodation and evening meals during volunteer placement period
- In-country 24/7 volunteer support
- In-country administration costs
What’s Not Included
- Airfare to Ghana
- Visa Fees
- Vaccinations and immunizations (please speak to your local GP)
- Personal insurance (required)
- Personal spending
- In-country travel
Accomodation
Volunteers working on VPWA projects live in Greater Accra and Eastern Region. Please confirm your project location with our coordinator. Volunteers live in shared rooms with bunk beds. Couples are advised to inform us if they wish to share a room in advance. The rooms have comfortable beds with pillows and covers, so there is no need to bring sleeping bags. The volunteer apartment has a kitchen with fridge, as well as toilet and shower facilities.
Additional Services Based on Availability
- Basic TWI language orientation (Special Fees apply)
- Mobile phone SIM card number on arrival, so that you can inform family and friends of your number in Ghana
- Certificate of Recognition given to hardworking volunteers, as well as the opportunity to serve as VPWA ambassador in your city, college or community. You need to write a volunteer report covering the period of placement to qualify for the certificate which has the endorsed logo of the United Nations Global Compact.
Health and Safety
Ghana is one of the safest countries in Africa. In the Global Peace Index it is ranked above both the United Kingdom and the United States of America. It provides a perfect introduction for first time volunteers to Africa. It has a democratic electoral process and a stable economy. Our team will ensure your health and safety at all times and you will have emergency support 24/7.
Flights
Volunteers must arrange their own flights to Accra Airport (ACC). Please be aware that you should communicate your arrival date and time to Volunteer Coordinator. The following airlines fly into Accra:
- Alitalia (Lagos, Rome-Fiumicino)
- British Airways (London-Heathrow)
- Delta Air Lines (New York-JFK)
- EgyptAir (Cairo)
- Emirates (Abidjan, Dubai)
- Ethiopian Airlines (Abidjan, Addis Ababa, Lagos, Lome)
- Ghana International Airlines (London-Gatwick, Dusseldorf)
- Kenya Airways (Nairobi, Freetown, Monrovia)
- KLM (Amsterdam)
- Lufthansa (Frankfurt, Lagos)
- South African Airways (Johannesburg)
Visa
You must obtain a volunteer visa for travel to Ghana. Once you have secured your place on the project and made a deposit we will send you a letter confirming your placement for use in your Visa application.