Join our team on Samos!

We work in a demanding context.

Volunteers should expect to live and work in an environment that can, at times, be physically and emotionally demanding. On certain occasions, we have to work very long hours at short notice and deal with unfamiliar and challenging situations, including emergencies. 

We provide support and training for our team. Still, everyone applying to volunteer should be confident that they will be able to cope with the situation here both mentally and physically. 

Diversity Statement

We are committed to equal opportunities for everyone regardless of background, religion, or sexual orientation. We acknowledge that people from certain backgrounds are under-represented in humanitarian work and want to do what we can to correct this. We believe that a team with diverse religious, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds will be better able to support displaced people living on Samos.

We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as LGBTIQ+, people with religious backgrounds that are not commonly represented in the EU, and people who identify as working class or have done so in the past.

Requirements

  • Two months minimum commitment, but preferably longer, due to the nature of our work (if you are a returning volunteer, we can also consider you if you cannot meet the minimum commitment)

  • Can communicate in English

  • Over the age of 20

  • A working phone with WhatsApp

  • Self-funded: this includes organising and covering the costs of your own transport, living costs, and activities outside of our projects. (For more information, see our Travel & Accommodation page)

  • We accept researchers or interns on an ad hoc basis; please be very clear in your application what it is you intend to do, and be aware that Samos Volunteers can only offer limited added supervision and paperwork

General Volunteering

We are looking for team players who are also able to work independently. We need people who are patient, professional, and prepared to respect the pre-existing systems and code of conduct we’ve developed over the years to make our services as fair and smooth-running as possible, but who can also bring new, fresh ideas, energy, and enthusiasm.

Our timetable and each volunteer’s role vary depending on day-to-day needs. For this reason, an open mind and a flexible approach to work are essential.

You may assist with:

  • Reception shifts;

  • Facilitating recreational activities,

  • Cleaning and maintenance of our spaces,

  • Teaching classes,

  • Translation (if applicable),

  • Distributing clothing in our warehouse and/or free shop,

  • Sorting and stocking our Non-Food Item donations,

  • Other tasks depend on our projects and needs.

Language teachers

We are looking for volunteers to join our team on Samos and teach adult English language classes.

We are looking for enthusiastic people who are passionate about teaching and education.

Although a teaching qualification would be beneficial, it is not required.

If you have teaching experience or would be interested in teaching and you can commit for eight weeks or more, we would love to hear from you!

In your volunteer application below, make sure to mention you are interested in the teaching position.

Please refer any additional questions to recruitment@samosvolunteers.org via email.

For Volunteer positions, apply by pressing the button below!

Apply

Management Positions

At the moment, there are no open management positions.

How the team works together

We bring together a culturally diverse team of 20+ people from over 15 different countries. This diversity is something to be celebrated. However, it comes with unique challenges when working together as a team. Our Code of Conduct is based on lessons learned along the way, which help us all work together in a respectful, sustainable, and safe environment. Everyone on the team has agreed to adhere to these guidelines while at Samos Volunteers.

You can read our Code of Conduct here.

Questions?

You can find answers to some questions we’ve been asked about volunteering on Samos here.

Travel and Accommodation

You can find information for volunteers about travelling to Samos and accommodation on the island here.

Further reading about volunteering in a humanitarian context.

Without the contribution of volunteers to humanitarian work, life for displaced people living in Samos would be much more difficult than it already is. However, despite good intentions, untrained volunteers can cause harm or aggravate the problems they seek to address. We underline the importance of training our volunteers and encourage self-study to prepare people to work in this challenging environment.

We’ve selected the following article and videos to give you an idea of the challenges you may face as a volunteer and clarify the challenges that can and do arise from working in the environment we’re based in.

As Travel Opens Up Again, Aid Voluntourism Needs To Get Real.

Volunteer Tourists Are Still Showing Up at Greek Refugee Camps. Are They Really Helping?