Do I have to be a Christian to work at World Vision?

It depends on the particular role that you’re interested in.  Our mission and core values here at World Vision compel us to apply a Christian approach to our work.  Many positions therefore have a ‘genuine occupational requirement’ that the post-holder must be a Christian.  Each position is assessed individually to determine whether there is a genuine requirement for a Christian faith.

We are however a very broad church and as long as applicants for these positions are practising Christians and will bring a Christian heart and mind to the role it doesn’t matter what creed or church tradition they are part of.

If there is no genuine occupational requirement to appoint a Christian, questions about faith and church connections will not be asked at interview.  We will of course ask questions designed to ensure that applicants would be able to work with our values and fit well with our culture.

What do I have to do get into International Development?

There are many different routes into the international development sector, all of which incorporate gaining relevant education and experience to equip you for the challenges you’ll face in our type of work.  One route in is through a Graduate Training programme designed to provide good all-round experience within a two-year timeframe.  These tend to be competitive, reflecting the number of excellent candidates who are keen to get this initial experience in the development sector.  But there are several other options to consider. 

In our website we’ve provided case-studies of many members of our staff here at World Vision which will give you a good idea of how they got into international development.  You’ll see that some first got a good grounding in the commercial sector, others used their initiative to get relevant international or domestic experience, some volunteered, others took jobs in other sectors but which allowed them to build relevant competencies. 

Have a read through these. and see the different journeys that World Vision staff have taken.

Do you have an intern / graduate programme?

We do offer a graduate training programme, providing opportunities in Fundraising, International Programmes and Public Engagement.  Currently we can only take on three to four graduates per intake, making the selection process very competitive as we tend to receive several hundred applications.  The programme extends over two years and is designed to provide broad exposure to, and experience within, the relevant department. In each year when there is a new intake of graduates, the positions are advertised in the spring and the positions start in the autumn.

We do not currently have a formal internship programme, although from time to time we are able to provide internships when there is a good fit between the area of interest of the applicant and our work. 

If you are interested in registering an interest in any opportunities with World Vision you can do so through our website.  We have a facility for individuals to attach a CV and to sign up for a ‘jobs alert’ in their specific area of interest too.

If I’m in the commercial sector can I still work with you?

Yes! We have a real diversity here at World Vision in terms of our backgrounds, with some coming from the commercial sector, some from other charities, and others from the broader public sector.  We’re all able to contribute different things!

Have a look at the section of our website which features individuals who have moved from another sector – they describe their backgrounds and also their impressions on joining World Vision!

Would I get paid if I worked for World Vision?

All of our advertised positions are salaried opportunities.  We don’t have many opportunities for volunteering but we do have a small number of volunteers who work alongside us in our Milton Keynes office and contribute to what we’re able to achieve.

In terms of salary, we don’t aim to compete with the private sector.  We do however compare ourselves with other large charities who have similar levels of income to us.  Those who move to World Vision bringing experience from the commercial sector may therefore be looking at a reduction in salary.  Many of our staff who have done this would tell you that the other non-financial benefits of working with World Vision more than make up for this financial sacrifice!

What’s it like to live and work in Milton Keynes?

Here at World Vision some of us are locals, having lived in the Milton Keynes area almost since the roundabouts and concrete cows were created!  Many others have relocated, either from within the UK or internationally.  Still others live in London, Oxford, Northampton and other surrounding areas.

Milton Keynes has much to offer in terms of great infrastructure (being just off the M1), good train links to London and Birmingham, great cycle paths, extensive shopping, sporting venues, and much much more.  Staff in different personal and family situations find different things to love and hate about Milton Keynes, so we’ve included a few case studies on the website where they can give you their views in their own words!  Have a look in the section on ‘What’s it like to work at World Vision?’.

Is Milton Keynes the only office in the UK?

Most of us are based at Milton Keynes, although we do have a smaller office in Westminster for those who are involved in our advocacy and communications work and need to be close to Parliament. 

We encourage flexibility in working location where the role lends itself to this, and several of us work from home on occasions.

Will I get to travel internationally in my job?

World Vision is a global Partnership with a presence in over 100 countries around the globe.  Many of us are therefore involved in international travel on a frequent basis as we work collaboratively with colleagues around the world.  The extent of travel depends on the particular job. 

We are mindful of both the financial and environmental costs of travel, and are therefore making more and more use of new technologies and tools which enable us to minimise un-necessary travel.

What benefits will I get at World Vision?

We’ve outlined a summary of the key financial benefits of working with World Vision, and you can see this in the ‘What’s it like to work at World Vision’ section of the website.  Whilst we recognise that we all need to pay the bills, many of us would describe the non-financial benefits of our work as just as or more important.  We know too that this is one of the key reasons people choose to join us at World Vision, and why we choose to stay.

How do I apply to World Vision?

There are various options open to you!  If you see a vacancy on the website that you’re interested in, have a look at the job description and then click on ‘Send Application’ to be guided through our on-line application form.

If you’re interested in working with World Vision but there isn’t a relevant vacancy just now, please do register your CV with us and also sign up for a ‘Jobs Alert’ so you’ll be notified on email if a vacancy in your area of interest arises in the near future.  To do this just go to the ‘New User’ button on our current opportunities page and you’ll be guided through this process on-line.