Q: What is Volans Year?

A: Volans Year is a one-year program that includes a secondment to an organization in the social impact realm, accompanied by executive education, transformational leadership coaching, and structured peer learning.

Applicants apply for job postings from social impact organizations selected by Volans and undergo a hiring/selection process conducted by Volans and the hiring organization. In addition to full time job responsibilities, Participants will also attend a series of classes, including leadership coaching, which will be conducted for one week every quarter by international academics and practitioners.  These “academic weeks” alternate in venue between Cambodia and Singapore across the four quarters of Volans Year.  For more details, please refer to the Volans Year program section.

Q: How is Volans Year relevant to other Volans activities?

A: Volans works globally with entrepreneurs, businesses, investors and governments to develop and scale innovative solutions to financial, social and environmental challenges.  Volans offers 3 key services: Volans Talent, Volans Solutions and Volans Outreach.  Volans Talent seeks to channel professional talent to meet the capacity building needs of the social impact sector, and Volans Year is a program under the Volans Talent umbrella.  Other Volans Talent activities include customized projects with our corporate clients.

Q: Who is Volans Year designed for?

A: Volans Year is targeted at individuals with 4 to 7 years of work experience who are interested in learning more about the social impact sector and developing their leadership and management skills at the same time. Volans Year is also designed to be a unique leadership development program for companies that proactively invest in talent management and are pioneers in leading highly impactful and measurable social impact work.

Q: What is the purpose of Volans Year?

A: Volans Year is meant to address the challenges that:

(1)    High impact, socially focused organizations face in finding sustained involvement from qualified, passionate professionals;

(2)    Professionals face in defining where they fit in the social impact space; and

(3)    Companies face in developing a unique talent management program aimed at nurturing the next generation of socially responsible global leaders.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: It costs US$15,000.

Q: What does this cost cover?

A:  The Volans Year enrollment fee covers the 4 weeks of executive education courses, food, accommodation and air travel costs incurred during the academic training weeks.  The program fee also includes health insurance,  and ongoing program support from Volans during the one year.

Outside of the academic training weeks, food, transportation and accommodation costs are borne by the Participant.

Q: Is financial assistance available?

Cost should not be a barrier to applying. We understand that there might be a few qualified candidates who might not be in a position to afford the Volans Year enrollment fee. Volans is currently working with a variety of organizations to secure financial assistance packages. Given the unique nature of the Volans Year program, we are also prepared to work with qualified candidates to seek out other forms of financial assistance.

Q: Is this a job?

Yes, in the sense that Participants will be working full time with the social impact organization that hired them. No, in the sense that the job lasts only for a year and there will be structured and regular academic and leadership coaching sessions.

Q: Will I get paid?

Yes, Volans has discussed the following minimum monthly wage with hiring organizations in Volans Year; this is set at US$500 for Cambodia-based positions and S$2500 for Singapore-based positions.

However, a small minority of Participants may end up working for social impact organizations for lower wages, subject to agreement from both parties.  All salary amounts will be clearly indicated with each job position posted.

Q: When do I start?

Volans Year 2010 kicks off with an opening ceremony in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on January 31. All Participants are expected to attend this event. This will be followed by one week of classes/workshops, before starting work with their hiring social impact organization.

Q: What is the selection process like?

All applicants will first undergo one round of screening from Volans staff followed by interview(s) with the hiring organization.

Q: Will arrangements be provided for my family?

No, Participants with families will need to make their own arrangements for their families. However, Volans will work with such Participants as far as possible to facilitate the relocation process for families where needed.

Q: Can I quit halfway?

Just like any job, Participants will need to follow the hiring organization’s rules in terms of resignation procedures. However, Volans strongly hopes that no Participant quits halfway without a strong reason, given the effort put in by the hiring organizations.