Ethiopia Volunteerism VMIS | Vhost Registration

THE VITAL ROLE OF ACSO IN PROMOTING VOLUNTEERISM

Pursuant to Proclamation No. 1113/2019, ACSO will,

Foster a culture of philanthropy & volunteerism in our society;
Through VMIS by recruiting qualified volunteers from various regions of the country ACSO can collaborate with regional government bodies, NGOs, CSOs, CSRs and individuals that will support volunteer-involving projects in Ethiopia;
Monitor and support organizations to ensure that organizations, agencies, volunteer hosts and partners undertake their volunteering activities in compliance with the law;
Provide periodic national volunteerism report to the government and volunteer-related organizations;
Encourage and support organizations maintain volunteering-involving projects have internal governance systems to ensure transparency, accountability and participation;

NATIONAL VOLUTEERISM POLICY OF ETHIOPIA

Effective implementation of volunteerism through the VMIS is expected to promote vast transformations in our society. This will assist our citizens and policy makers see the need of a consolidated National Volunteerism Policy aimed at capitalizing on the contributions of volunteers in enhancing the works of our volunteer organizations, strengthen collaborative systems, and further promote the culture of philanthropy through volunteerism.
In 2010 EC, the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs developed a draft of the National Volunteerism Policy of Ethiopia. It is currently under review and efforts have been made to pass the policy in the legislature in the near future. Ethiopia VMIS fosters a culture of volunteerism and philanthropy has set keystones to having the draft of the policy approved. We will provide the link as the National Volunteerism Policy of Ethiopia passes legislation.

ACSO's Commitment to SDG #17 Through Volunteerism

Expand nationwide volunteer participation in Ethiopia specifically,

Provide volunteer hosts, partners and private groups a platform to recruit national and international volunteers through VMIS;
Volunteer-hosting organizations through VMIS will access available human resources with valuable skills and abilities to carry out its humanitarian and development schemes;
Provide individuals from all walks of life regardless of gender, race, skills, age, education and physical abilities the opportunity to engage in community volunteer-involving activities;
Provide accessible link for individuals to use their skills and abilities volunteering with volunteer-involving organizations and community groups ; and,
Recognize the significant contribution of volunteers to Ethiopia’s GDP and overall national Sustainable Development Goals.

VOLUNTEER HOSTS

We recognize that volunteers and volunteer-involving programs of your organization is a commitment to build, strengthen and open vast opportunities for millions of Ethiopia’s marginalized citizens to be in step with us and not be left behind. GOs, Local & International NGOs, Charitable groups, and CSOs rely on the skills and interests of volunteers.
Once your registration with VMIS as Volunteer Host is approved by ACSO, VMIS will allow you to register and manage your own volunteers.

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

The data we collect is intended to increase interaction between your organization and volunteers in your area of operation. VMIS will provide your VIO with the following volunteer information:

Name and contact data: full name, email address, telephone number, and other similar contact data.
Demographic data: age, gender, country, region, city, including their preferred language, skills and volunteering interests.
Parental Information and Consent for youth below 18 years of age: Parents’ contact information e.g., email address and phone number.
Credentials: Curriculum Vitae (CV), commendation letters, certificates, professional registration and or license, if any.

SELECTION AND ACCEPTANCE OF VOLUNTEER HOST’s

Upon meeting the required information and documents, Volunteer Hosts will be notified via email of their Registration approval Status within three (3) days.

VOLUNTEE HOST’s DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Guiding principles help ensure a commitment to developing and supporting volunteer involvement that benefits both the organization and the volunteers.
Volunteer-involving organizations recognize that volunteers are a vital human resource. And as such will commit to appropriate protective shield to support volunteer involvement by:

providing volunteers with appropriate infrastructure for the discharge of their duties through relevant training and induction,
providing appropriate information to their volunteers on the nature and condition of their voluntary assignment,
ensuring safe, secure and healthy conditions at work, in accordance with the nature of the volunteer activity,
ensuring that an appropriate policy is in place for volunteers, covering eventual risks of accident or illness directly related to the volunteer activity in line with organizational policies,
reimbursing any expenses incurred by volunteers in fulfilling their volunteer tasks, up to reasonable limits,
be aware of any damages or injuries their volunteers may cause by any action or omission in the course their voluntary work, provided that the volunteers act with due diligence and in good faith, and
recognizing the contribution of volunteers with a token of appreciation or issue a certificate acknowledging their contribution at the end of their service.

VOLUNTEERISM PROTECTS: Preventing of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

Gender Based Violence is referred to any form of sexual, physical, psychological, social as well as economical violence based on sex or gender that results in harming psychological, physical wellbeing and, growth and personality of an individual, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, rape, trafficking/forcing for commercial sex work. The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Constitution mandates respecting the rights to equality, dignity and freedom of humanity as per the International Human Rights Agreements and declarations with special attention to women, adolescent girls, children, the infirmed and people with disability.
Volunteer works are grounded on human rights framework and volunteers are guided and bound by the Volunteer Code of Conduct to protect the beneficiaries, the organization and themselves. Sexual violence, notably sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse, violate universally recognized international Volunteering Norms and Standards.
The Six Core Principles (IASC, 2002) listed here set as the standard for the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse:

Sexual exploitation and abuse by humanitarian workers constitute acts of gross misconduct and are grounds for termination of employment.
Sexual activity with children (persons under the age of 18) is prohibited. Mistaken belief regarding the age of a child is not a defense.
Exchange of money, employment, goods, assistance or services for sex, including sexual favours or other forms exploitative behaviour is prohibited.
Sexual relationships between humanitarian workers and beneficiaries are strongly discouraged since they are based on inherently unequal power dynamics.
Where humanitarian worker suspect or witness sexual abuse/exploitation, he/she must report such concerns or suspicions via established agency reporting mechanisms.
Humanitarian workers are obliged to create and maintain an environment which prevents sexual exploitation and abuse. They should promote the implementation of the code of conduct. Note: Humanitarian workers referred to here are volunteers.

Volunteerism Promote Social Inclusion and Equality

Individuals experience unequal power relations and inequalities as a result of social identities, gender, location, (dis)ability, wealth, education, age, ethnicity, etc. These are people “intersectionally marginalised” in our communities - a distinct structural inequality that sets them further behind. Vulnerable groups are at risk because they:

have inadequate representation or participation in leadership and decision making,
are discriminated due to their social identities or the stigma of being poor, and,
have restricted rights, little/no power or agency that limit their access to represent themselves and participate in their own development.

Invisible practices yet explicit of exploitation, intolerance, insensitivity, exclusion and inequality in our society. It is important to recognise the power dynamics that exist between and among groups that impact control over access to resources and decision-making power.
Volunteers working with the community leadership can build greater unity and partnerships around common development agendas, (dis)ability and gender issues, while addressing and reducing disregarded experiences in the community. Volunteerism can challenge negative practices that limit gender-roles, equal opportunities and (dis)ability by encouraging more people to understand the limiting influence of physical disability, non-participation, intolerance and insensitivity to their own community issues. With joint learning and shared understanding:

Volunteers and communities can empower each other to identify multiple dimensions and systems of inequality and intolerance,
use volunteer roles in shedding light in eliminating inequality and intolerance, and
use volunteer skills and expertise to influence distinct changing roles of genders in the 21st century,
create new experiences, promote better opportunities and valuable outcomes from development schemes for all involved.

VOLUNTEER DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

To respect the objectives and observe the regulations of the organization they are involved with,
Participate in training and induction or any necessary ongoing training courses provided by the host organization,
To act in good faith and with respect for the cause, the stakeholders, the organization and the community,
Represent the organization in the community by carrying out their volunteer tasks responsibly and with integrity,
Respect, advocate, support and carryout her/his responsibilities by protecting human rights, people with disability, gender issues, etc. in behalf of the organization, the beneficiaries and co-volunteers,
Respect and protect the rights, beliefs and opinions of beneficiaries, and
Protect self.

REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

Enter your organization’s full information on the Volunteer Host’s Registration Form. Create a username and password. Complete all the required fields with:
- The name of the organization;
- The name of the organization and its logo (if any);
- Website address
- Host’s email address
- Telephone Number
- Upload your duly authenticated registration/license
VMIS will send an email to confirm your registration.
Lastly, be reminded to update your Profile to help us match you with volunteers for your volunteer-involving projects/schemes in your area of operation.

CONTACT US

If you have a privacy concern, question regarding application, registration, or require more information on volunteerism from ACSO go to https://acso.gov.et website, or refer to the Contact us section of our website.