MapAction seeks new skilled volunteers

MapAction deploys teams of expert volunteers to humanitarian emergencies where they help aid agencies to save lives by quickly gathering, mapping and disseminating crucial data to help coordinate an effective response. MapAction field teams are supported by a technical team in the UK, and the current recruitment round is for both field deployment and UK-based roles.

Emma Mumford, Director of Operations at MapAction, commented, “Volunteers are recruited to fit specific roles and tend to stay with us for several years, so only a handful of new opportunities arise each year. Team members can experience challenging conditions working in the aftermath of an emergency; these are demanding but highly rewarding roles. We’re looking for people who are real team players with leadership experience and a genuine commitment to humanitarian response.”

Volunteers receive a comprehensive and ongoing package of training, including opportunities for participation at international, multi-agency disaster simulation exercises and a five-day field readiness course which must be passed before becoming deployable. They are expected to attend a minimum of seven monthly training weekends a year and to be available to deploy for up to two weeks every one or two years. There is a tremendous sense of team camaraderie within the team and volunteers report that it is an exceptionally rewarding experience.

Kirsty Ferris, a long-term MapAction GIS deployment volunteer, said, “MapAction gives me a real balance in life; the people I meet and experiences I have are a constant reminder of how lucky I am and how much I need to take from life while I can. I get to make a real impact in devastating situations using GIS, information management and mapping. While the training is intensive and time consuming, the benefits to me personally and professionally are too vast to mention. The volunteers and full time staff at MapAction provide great support, understanding and shared geekiness; there are not many places where you can talk GPS and geodesy with such shared enthusiasm.”

The deadline for applications is Sunday 25 February 2018. More information is available on MapAction’s website.