I want to work with international development - what do I need to know?

First of all, it needs to be something you really want to do, as well as match your interests and professional/educational background. There are numerous ways into the world of NGOs - but there is not one that is more recommended than the other. If you are considering entering the charity sector and need more general information, we recommend that you have a look at this page which goes through most aspects of the nature of working in an NGO. If you are looking for general recommendations and tips on Job Searching, please visit this page .

Is there a possibility to volunteer for CAFOD?

Yes. We are an organisation with origins in volunteering and we value highly the inspiring individuals who volunteer with us. You can find out more about volunteering with CAFOD in our Get Involved section . We have a living database of potential volunteers which is made available to all units in our organisation. Please contact The Recruitment Team (applications@cafod.org.uk ) for further information on how to be added to this database or contact your local CAFOD Diocesan Office directly

Can I volunteer overseas with CAFOD?

Unfortunately, we don’t provide opportunities for volunteering outside the UK. We work largely through local partner agencies and local staff, and the staff that we recruit internationally to work with them are professionals with very specific skills. One of the best sources of information on volunteering abroad in relief or development is the 'Guide to volunteering for development' produced by the World Service Enquiry, which is available from their website together with a lot of relevant information and links.

I don't have the right to work in the UK – will CAFOD sponsor me?

No. Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to assist with work permits. Hence, we expect all applicants for UK-based jobs to already have the appropriate right to work in the UK.

Do I need to be Catholic to work for CAFOD?

No. We recruit individuals of all religions and none. We ensure that candidates have the required competencies for the position and that your values are aligned with the Vision, Mission and Values of the organisation. There are, however, some specific positions where your experience in the Catholic community might be more relevant (this will be indicated in the Job Description).

Why doesn’t CAFOD accept CVs?

For ease of comparison, we use a standardised application form, resulting in a more transparent and fair way to evaluate applicants.

When do I have to submit my application?

The completed application needs to be submitted by latest midnight (UK time) of the closing day (unless otherwise stated).

Which parts of the application are the most important?

We tend to say that the combination of all parts of the application are important when assessing a candidate, as long as there is a clear link between your responses and the Job Description. The Person Specification is particularly relevant, as you will need to give examples in your application of how your experience matches important competencies and the required skills. It’s wise to focus on the competencies which are listed as the essential by sharing real life examples from your previous experience. Please be as brief and clear as possible.

Can I attach a general reference letter to my application?

No. We do expect you to provide us with referees in the Application Form.

Why do I need to provide information on my ethnic origins, gender and disabilities?

This is not a mandatory requirement; however, we are grateful to candidates for completing the Equal Opportunities Form since CAFOD strives to be an equal opportunities employer. In other words, the form is solely used for monitoring and statistical purposes in order to improve our recruitment processes. The form will not be used during the actual recruitment and will be kept separate from your application.

How do I complete the online application?

The process is fairly intuitive; Go to this page and search for all jobs. Select the one you are interested in. Read about the job and register (or sign in if you already have registered previously). Complete the application form and do not forget to click submit! You can find more detailed information here .

I need to make changes to my application - how do I do?

The first time you registered, you should have received a username and password. Go to this page and login. You should be able to update your application and resubmit.

My browser gives me a warning that the electronic application is not secure - what should I do?

Our pages are secure. The reason you might get this warning is that we have ensured that the page is supported by all browsers - even older ones. But newer browsers do not like that idea, hence the warning. We recommend that you use Internet Explorer or Apple Safari to access the page. If you prefer to use another browser, make sure you add our page to your "trusted sites" if you get a warning message.

I get a message saying that I have been logged out. How do I get in again?

The best solution is usually to relaunch your browser. If this does not help, sometimes it helps to restart your computer. The reason is that the system wants to ensure that you are properly logged before letting you in again in order to protect your personal data.

The systems says that my email already is registered - why?

The first time you log into the system, a user account is created for you. An automated email is sent to you with your password. Go to this page , login and continue your application.

When can I expect to hear from you?

We aim to get back to applicants within two weeks after the closing date. If you, for some reason, have not heard from us within two weeks from the closing date of the vacancy, your application has most probably been unsuccessful.

Will I need to travel to your offices for the interviews?

Yes. We consider it crucial to meet all candidates face-to-face. Thus, if the post is based in the UK, you will need to travel to London for the interview. However, if there are two interview rounds scheduled, and you are currently based in another country, the first round will likely be done over the phone. You will receive more detailed information if you are shortlisted for an interview.

Does CAFOD cover travel costs I might have in connection with an interview?

We treat such requests on a case-by-case basis and we will cover reasonable expenses upon proof of payment. Please liaise with us if you have been shortlisted for an interview.