Criteria for Volunteers

1. Demonstration of a strong commitment to Human Rights and social justice.
2. Experience in political and Human Rights work, preferably outside of home country.
3. Demonstration of emotional, mental, and psychological stability.
4. Understanding of the need for non-partisanship on the project and ability to work in a non-partisan manner.
5. Proof of physical health and ability to physically withstand a great deal of stress. We recommend a current physical exam and a doctor's recommendation for traveling to a rural tropical area at war.
6. Readiness and willingness to live for a long period of time in rural areas in very simple living conditions (power cuts, lack of social facilities etc), and possibly under a lot of stress. Volunteers will need to understand the possible risks they face.
7. Age in general should not be a barrier to working on the project, but the need for mature and experienced volunteers is critical.
8. Previous experience working in a non-hierarchical group that makes decisions by consensus.
9. Understanding and committing to the theory and practice of nonviolence.
10. Proficiency in English (project language) and proficiency in Indonesian (team language). Applications will be considered for people willing to learn these languages to proficiency before team service. [Note: PBI does not currently have a team on the island of Timor. Should PBI re-establish a presence there, Tetun or Portuguese would be an asset.]
11. Sufficient computer skills in at least Word and Excel.
12. A time commitment of 18 months following mastery of English and Indonesian. (Contracts for 12 or 15 months as exception to discuss with Human Resource Committee).
13. Ability to raise funds for training costs, language study and travel. PBI will cover accepted volunteer's flights to Indonesia.
14. Ability to form and maintain contact with a support group at home while serving on the team. This will help with re-integration after the term is completed.
15. Ability to maintain contact with the PBI country group (if available in your home country)
16. Three character references.
17. Willingness to attend an intensive training/interview process which does not guarantee acceptance on the team. English language ability must be sufficient to take part in the training.
18. Availability after the term on the team to participate in some PBI activities, i.e. speaking engagements.

PBI policy relating to anti age discrimination for field volunteers

Age is not a barrier to working on projects. However, the need for mature and experienced volunteers is critical because the organization needs to present an experienced face in our interactions with high level authorities in the countries where we maintain field projects and because volunteers need to be able to assess responsibly risk and security questions in areas of crisis or conflict. Therefore volunteers are often over the age of 25.