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An application for a Batey Relief Alliance long-term volunteer placement means more than simply applying for a job in another country. Your decision reflects a commitment to live, work, learn and share under very different expectations, conditions and levels of support than you may have ever faced before. It will be an experience that will challenge your personal as well as your professional resources. As such, the BRA selection process is thorough, and can be lengthy. It is important that you are as forthcoming and as comprehensive as possible in the information you provide, so that the overseas BRA staff and partner organization, who cannot meet and interview applicants, can get an idea of what you are like as a person, as well as understand your professiona abilities.

The following steps will help guide you through the BRA application process whether you apply online or by mail. You are welcome to visit our Dominican Republic’s office for in-person information.

Step 1 – Application

• The BRA website maintains a list of the latest overseas volunteer positions. The website’s list is updated regularly as positions are filled and new ones added. If the current listing does not have a position that is relevant to your skills and interests, please check again soon.
• If there is a position listed to which you wish to apply, follow the instructions provided in the placement description. We encourage you to apply online by sending us a letter of interest stating exactly what position you are appling for and for how long you wish to volunteer. You may contact us at bra@bateyrelief.org for additional information on the position or the application process.
• Whether online or by mail, be sure to be thorough with your application.
• Attach a copy of your current résumé. BRA will be looking for detailed information about your work experience, education, volunteer experience, life skills and hobbies.

Step 2 – References, Personal Statement, and Professional Documentation

The Batey Relief Alliance will review your qualifications, and if appropriate, you will be invited to continue with the application process, including provision of the following information:

• Three references, at least one from your current or most recent employer.
• Personal Statement, which states clearly the reasons for volunteering, what you wish to accomplish, and how your work will help advance BRA’s humanitarian mission.
• Photocopies of diplomas, certificates or professional licenses – any documents that qualify you to work in your job.

Step 3 – Interview

Once all documentation is received and reviewed, an interview may be arranged. When possible, applicants are interviewed in person, but many interviews for applicants living at a distance from BRA in the United States or the Dominican Republic are done by telephone. The interview provides you with an opportunity to explore questions you may have about the placement. The purpose of the interview is also to give overseas staff and partner organizations, that will not have the opportunity to meet you, an assessment of your professional strengths, and an idea of what you are like as a person.

The hiring committee will make a recommendation through an interview report. The decision to offer you a posting will be made by the overseas partner organization in conjunction with BRA’s field staff.

Unlike typical jobs, a posting with BRA requires personal adjustments beyond the actual work you will be doing. Because of this, the BRA interview will cover areas not usually discussed in interviews for regular jobs. BRA will ask you for examples from your past experience to illustrate what you tell us. These examples may come from your volunteer or community involvement, or from incidents in your personal life as well as from your professional history.

Step 4 – Approval

• Arrangements for the overseas placement can be finalized once the successful candidate is interviewed and recommended, approved by the overseas partner organization, and medically cleared by BRA. The Batey Relief Alliance will keep in touch with you and will advise you when approval is received.
• Once we determine that you have been accepted into the program, we will send you further details about our rules and policies, work and lodging definitions, and travel and safety arrangements.