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  • Introduction to SNAICC
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  • Strategic Plan
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  • Jobs
    • Volunteers - Students - Internships
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Volunteers - Students - Internships

Volunteer, Student Placement and Internship Opportunities at SNAICC

SNAICC hosts volunteers, student placements and interns on a regular basis, and has a growing network of pro bono community partnerships contributing to SNAICC's work. We are actively seeking interested people and organisations looking to join the SNAICC community and willing to volunteer their skills and time.
SNAICC particularly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to contact us.

• What to expect as a volunteer, student or intern at SNAICC
• Testimonials
• Ways to get involved

What to expect as a volunteer, student or intern at SNAICC

SNAICC recognises that every volunteer brings a wealth of personal, professional and educational experience, and will make every attempt to match a volunteer's skill set with an appropriate volunteer opening.

We have hosted volunteers from a variety of backgrounds with diverse skills, including administrative support, social work, public health, law and anthropology students, media and social sciences professionals, lawyers and accountants.

Project specific opportunities will be listed below when they are available.

The time commitment for volunteers, students and interns will depend on SNAICC's current work, but has varied from ongoing commitments of a few hours a week through to three month placements.

SNAICC's wide range of project and policy work means that tasks that volunteers, students or interns may undertake will vary considerably. However, an example of tasks volunteers have undertaken include:

• attending meetings and visiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services
• assisting children's self publishing workshops
• researching and literature reviews on mental health
• researching and writing briefing papers on Indigenous children's rights
• researching and producing fact sheets on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child and family sectors
• presenting at staff professional development seminars
• providing IT support, including assisting the development of an intranet and internet video conferencing
• library cataloguing support
• assisting with conference and event planning
• assisting the redrafting of SNAICC's constitution
• assisting with competitions 
• grant and application writing
• administrative support, including mailouts and taking meeting minutes
• editing and proof reading
• drafting staff contracts
• assisting with SNAICC's accounting and financial work
• drafting media releases
• drafting ethics and intellectual property guidelines

We are unable to provide any financial support for volunteers, students or interns at this time, however, some tertiary institutions (for example, the University of Melbourne) provide stipends through internship programs. Potential interns should consult with their relevant faculties at their universities.

Course credit for placements should also be arranged by potential students with their relevant faculties at their universities.

Please note that all volunteers, students or interns are required to hold or obtain a current Working With Children Check, available for voluntary positions for free.

 

Testimonials

SNAICC provides a welcoming and supportive environment for learning, and the wealth of knowledge, experience and passion that the staff at SNAICC has and is willing to share is invaluable. Throughout placement I was encouraged to challenge my knowledge, attitudes and beliefs around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing, and reflect upon the contribution I can make to this field as a future non-Indigenous public health practitioner. SNAICC has given me exposure to a vibrant, strong and proud culture and a chance to develop positive relationships with people and organisations working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.

I came to SNAICC armed with the theories and knowledge I learnt at university, but I leave with a deeper understanding of how those theories relate to practice and how they can be applied in the 'real world'. I highly recommend this opportunity to anyone who wants to contribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice and who wants to experience first-hand how Aboriginal community-controlled organisations work to protect and promote health and wellbeing.

- Public Health Student Placement (2009)

As a fourth year Social Work student I knew I was ready to do a placement with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation. I had focused on the advocacy and political side of Social Work throughout my degree with a particular interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights. After four years of hard work studying I wanted to enter the 'real life' of practice, on a policy level.

As soon as I arrived at SNAICC I was welcomed. I made an effort to meet staff and learn of their projects. All SNAICC staff have a deep understanding of issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families across Australia, and how to work with barriers and strengths to try to bring about positive change in the child protection and early learning sector for the best interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.

I was given a student position in SNAICC that matched my interests and skills to what the organisation's needs were. I have had great supervision focusing on my Social Work and policy skill development, and been continuously challenged and supported in areas of research, computing and writing skills.

I would highly recommend doing an internship at SNAICC if a student is interested in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child and family health and well-being, in whichever specialisation. The SNAICC team teaches you how knowledge across a range of areas and levels of practice can be used together to build strengths and enhance capacity building in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and how to come up with suitable and grass-roots led projects to meet Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander needs.

- Social Work Student Placement (2010)

Working at SNAICC was a very rewarding experience. As the team is quite small, I was able to get first hand experience with the projects, and work closely with very experienced staff members. During my internship, I was involved with the creation of a new community development project, and also in establishing a new legal and ethical protocol for the organisation. The former project allowed me to liaise closely with the Publications Officer to create different approaches to community development. The latter project allowed me to use and expand my legal skills, incorporating ethics, intellectual property and tailoring this to the indigenous context. It was great to get feedback from the other staff members, who were always willing to lend a hand and some knowledge. I highly recommend an internship at SNAICC, especially if you are interested in indigenous rights, social justice or advocacy.

- Aurora Legal Internship (2010)

Ways to get involved

See the current volunteer opportunities and pro bono wish lists listed below.

- Contact the SNAICC Staff and Organisational Development Manager by email: sbeecher@snaicc.asn.au

- Apply through the Aurora Project for legal or anthropology internships with SNAICC: http://www.auroraproject.com.au/About.htm

- Consult the placement officer at your tertiary institution to organise a final year placement with SNAICC

- Contact your Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison Officer at your tertiary institution.