Frequently asked questions

Requirements

What is Team works! Young Expert Exchange for Sustainable Development?

Team works! enables young experts to undertake a four-week internship in an African country in, for example, a small or medium enterprise, welfare/healthcare facility or educational institution. Senior Expert Service (SES) is responsible for managing the Team works! programme on site and supplies an experienced expert to form a tandem with a young expert from Germany.

Who can take part?

The programme is aimed at young people who are training in a skilled trade or have recently finished doing so. It is open to young people between 18 and 30 years who are at the end of their training or at the beginning of their working life. More specifically, participants must be at least in their third year of training or have initial work experience of relevance to the internship in question. At Team works! in Africa, a young expert from Germany accompanies an SES expert on an assignment in an African country. The young expert can support the SES assignment for three to six weeks.

Can I take part in the programme if I have a disability or impairment?

Yes. Contact us for advice on possibilities for inclusive internships.

Getting in touch

In which African countries can internships take place?

Team works! in Africa internships are only carried out in countries where the security situation is safe.

The exact countries depend on where our partner SES has assignment openings. SES expert assignments are always on a voluntary basis, in the country concerned and only by request.

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Costs, welfare benefits and insurance cover

What costs are covered for me?

AGYO covers the main costs of your participation in Team works!, particularly flights, accommodation, meals and any preparatory seminars you attend.

What costs do I have to pay myself?

Costs that you have to pay yourself are pocket money for personal needs and for private excursions. The remaining costs will be covered.

Does my employer have to pay anything for my internship?

Employers looking to send a young expert for an internship to an African country with Team works! do not incur any costs. They can only benefit from your few weeks away and the international experience you gain through Team works! So, with the added value you’ll bring to your workplace at home, your employer has every reason to support your internship with Team works! in Africa.

Are young experts from Germany entitled to unemployment benefits?

During the internship, you may not be entitled to unemployment benefits. If you are registered as unemployed, you will receive a confirmation of your planned internship from SES, which you can use to contact your employment agency. They will decide whether you are still entitled to unemployment benefits. Please contact your employment agency for further information.

What insurance cover will I have?

During your internship, you will have the following insurance cover: international health, liability, luggage, repatriation and accident insurance. For participants working in healthcare, professional indemnity insurance is also included. You must clarify in advance with your health and long-term care insurance company whether your health and long-term care insurance cover in Germany can be maintained during your assignment abroad.

Can I get help with the visa application process?

All participants on AGYO projects need a valid visa for the duration of their stay in the partner country. The SES will apply for the necessary visa for you.

What safety and security measures are taken?

The travel warnings issued by Germany’s Federal Foreign Office play a pivotal role in deciding whether a Team works! tandem can go ahead. In the countries of internship, we only work with carefully selected, experienced partners. In addition, all German participants should register in the Federal Foreign Office’s crisis preparedness list (ELEFAND list).

For more information, see:

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Registration, selection and preparation

Who can take part?

The programme is aimed at young people who are training in a skilled trade or have recently finished doing so. It is open to young people between 18 and 30 years of age who are at the end of their training or at the beginnign of their working life. More specifically, participants must be at least in their third year of training or have initial work experience of relevance to the internship in question. At Team works! in Africa, a young expert from Germany accompanies an SES expert on an assignment in an African country. The young expert can support the SES assignment for three to six weeks.

Is it possible to apply for Team works! even if I don't yet have any experience abroad?

Your internship will take place in tandem with an expert from SES who may already know your destination. The expert and the SES will support you with information and tips during your preparations and will also be there for you during your stay. In this way, Team works! wants to ensure that, regardless of your experience in other countries, you will be able to successfully overcome any challenges that arise in connection with your work shadowing programme.

Where can I apply for Team works! in Africa?

German citizens and persons who have a permanent right of residence and whose long-term place of residence is in Germany should use the application form to apply. SES will check your application details against its planned assignments and contact you directly as soon as there is something suitable. Please bear in mind, however, that there is no guarantee of an internship being found for you.

To the application form

Are there any deadlines for application?

Application in the SES database is possible at any time; there are no deadlines.

To the application form

What information should my motivation letter contain?

You may keep your motivation letter short, but it should answer the following questions: What are your motives and personal motivation for applying to take part in Team works! What professional experience do you have? Which areas would you like to work in? What expectations do you have participating in Team works! Have you already been involved in (development) politics or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the past and can you imagine doing so in the future?

I have applied. When will I receive feedback/be able to start my work?

We are delighted that you have applied for Team works! The next step is for SES to find a suitable work placement for you. To do this, your application will be compared with the enquiries that SES receives. As soon as a specific work opportunity is found, you will be contacted directly. This process can take several months or even a whole year. Unfortunately, however, there is no guarantee that you will be offered a work placement.

Yes. Your employer will have to grant you leave for the duration of your intership or you can take time off work.

What preparation do I receive for my internship?

Your internship will be carried out in tandem with an SES expert. You will exchange information over the phone and may also have the opportunity to meet in person beforehand. A preparation tool is available online so that you can study at any time. In an online seminar lasting several hours, general information is provided and additional training is offered. You will need to take time off work for this event. If possible, you will also get to know the partner organisation at an online meeting. Sometimes there is also the opportunity to exchange ideas with a young expert from Germany or an African country. The SES will provide information about the country you are visiting, entry requirements and any necessary vaccinations and will support you with any questions you may have.

Does my employer have to grant me leave to prepare?

Young experts from Germany usually have to take time off work in order to attend the preparatory seminars. In principle, your employer can grant you leave. In some federal states, you can have your time at the seminar recognised as educational leave. The SES will be happy to advise you if you have any questions.

How can my enterprise/organisation get involved?

Easy - if you’re interested in hosting a young expert for an internship or send a young expert from your business, get in touch with us. Together, we can explore the options available.

Getting in touch

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Your assignment

How long does the internship last?

Internships can last between three and six weeks.

In what form are the conditions of the internship agreed on?

In Team works! in Africa, the host enterprise in the African country usually makes a request for a follow-up assignment to an SES expert they know from previous assignments. The enterprise then signs an assignment agreement with the SES, which includes a description of both sides’ duties. A second agreement is also signed with the SES, covering the young expert’s involvement. The SES defines your tasks and the objectives of the internship in consultation with you, your SES tandem partner and the enterprise in the African country.

Where can I be sent for an internship?

The SES mainly works with small or medium enterprises from all sectors, welfare/healthcare facilities and educational institutions in African countries. Thanks to its extensive network, the organisation can draw on its traditional volunteering programme to identify suitable enterprises in Africa that would be interested in hosting a young expert in addition to the experienced SES expert. The SES always ensures a good match between the topic of the internship and your expertise and knowledge.

What support is available to me at my place of internship?

At Team works! in Africa, there are lots of people available to support you. Your tandem partner has local knowledge and is your main point of contact. Your colleagues in the host enterprise are also there for you and the SES team in Bonn can help if you have any questions or problems.

Where do I live during my internship?

You will always live near your host enterprise. As far as possible, tandem partners are accommodated in the same building so that there is always a chance for a chat after work.

What happens if I fall ill during my internship?

If you fall ill during your internship, you should seek treatment locally. If that is not possible or there are complications, the SES will arrange help. In the event of an emergency, arrangements will be made for you to return to Germany. This does not result in any costs for participants as emergencies are included in the Team works! insurance cover. You should provide your health insurer in Germany with exact details of your stay abroad to ensure you have continuous cover.

What should I do with my flat whilst I’m abroad?

If you already rent your own flat, one option would be to sublet it during your assignment with Team works! The programme cannot pay your rent.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

Getting in touch

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Back in Germany

Will I receive a certificate of participation?

Yes, every young expert receives a certificate of participation at the end of their internship.

How can I continue my involvement after the internship?

By participating in Team works! in Africa, you will discover that each and every individual can have an impact. You can draw on this experience and your new friends and contacts to continue your involvement after the internship. We can support you through our active alumni and networking activities and information about further funding possibilities. If you have any questions, feel free to use the contact form or contact Engagement Global’s Advisory and Networking Office for Development Activities for more detailed advice.

AGYO contact form

To the Advisory and Networking Office for Development Activities

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