Volunteer Coordinator

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) is a member-based not-for-profit supporting over 8,600 surgeons and 1,300 trainees and Specialist International Medical Graduates across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. We advocate for excellence in surgical care, deliver world-class education and training, invest in research, and partner across the Asia-Pacific to strengthen local surgical services. Learn more at surgeons.org.

About the role

We’re looking for an organised and approachable Volunteer Coordinator to support the recruitment, preparation and deployment of volunteer clinicians through our RACS Global Health Program. Our volunteers are surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and other medical professionals who generously contribute their time and expertise on a pro bono basis. They undertake short-term overseas deployments across the Indo-Pacific region, providing clinical services, training and mentoring in partnership with local health services. In this role, you’ll play an important role in making sure these volunteers are recruited, informed and well prepared for their deployments. Working closely with clinical volunteers and RACS colleagues, you’ll coordinate the practical arrangements and compliance requirements that help each deployment run smoothly.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Volunteer recruitment and onboarding: Respond to enquiries from clinicians interested in volunteering, coordinate recruitment and onboarding activities, conduct interviews and reference checks, and work with Specialty Coordinators to assess applicants.
• Deployment planning and coordination: Advertise deployment opportunities, manage expressions of interest, coordinate travel arrangements and contribute to pre-departure briefings.
• Volunteer support and compliance: Ensure volunteers complete required training, e-learning and compliance activities before departure, and maintain accurate records in line with organisational policies and safeguarding requirements.
• Stakeholder engagement: Maintain regular communication with volunteers, Specialty Coordinators and other stakeholders to support a positive volunteer experience and keep everyone informed.
• Program review and improvement: Participate in reviews of volunteer deployments, gather feedback and help implement improvements to processes and volunteer support.
• Communications and reporting: Assist with communications about volunteer activities, contribute to donor reporting and maintain the Global Health photo library and associated release forms.
• You’ll also participate in quarterly Specialty Coordinator meetings, prepare meeting minutes and work with colleagues to ensure volunteer information and deployment processes are well managed.

This is a part-time role, 3 days per week (0.6 FTE) with hybrid working arrangements on a maximum term contract until the end of 2027.

Download Position Description

About the team

You’ll join the RACS Global Health team, working closely with another Volunteer Coordinator, Senior Program Advisors and colleagues responsible for medical equipment and deployment support. The team works with RACS Fellows, specialist clinicians, Specialty Coordinators and international partners to organise volunteer medical team deployments across the Indo-Pacific region. Our volunteers are experienced medical professionals who give their time on a pro bono basis. Your role is to support them throughout the process, from their initial interest in volunteering through to preparation for deployment and ongoing engagement with the program. You’ll also work with external travel and assistance providers and partner-country health administrators to help ensure volunteers have the information, arrangements and support they need.

About you

You’re an organised and proactive coordinator who enjoys working with people and managing the practical details that make complex arrangements run smoothly. You’re confident communicating with experienced clinicians and professional staff, and you understand the importance of accuracy, compliance and timely communication when coordinating overseas deployments.

You’ll bring:

• Previous experience in volunteer recruitment and deployment coordination.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, travel arrangements and compliance requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate confidently and tactfully with a range of stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records and information systems.
• Sound analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues and work through practical solutions.
• The ability to work collaboratively, adapt to changing priorities and manage tasks independently when required.
• It would also be helpful if you have:
• Experience developing and maintaining compliance monitoring or information management systems.
• Experience coordinating international travel.
• Experience in communications, including social media, e-newsletters or website content.
• An interest in quality improvement and the health and development sector.
• You’ll understand that supporting a volunteer workforce requires clear communication, thoughtful coordination and respect for the time and expertise volunteers contribute. You’re comfortable managing competing demands while ensuring people have the information and support they need.

Your experience with us
We’re committed to creating a workplace where our people feel supported, valued, and able to do their best work. We invest in your wellbeing, professional growth and work life balance. Our benefits reflect our dedication to a positive, safe and inclusive culture.
Key benefits include:

• Competitive remuneration + salary packaging up to $15,900 each FBT year and novated car leasing.
• Hybrid working arrangements that support flexibility + starter equipment allowance
• Generous leave options including volunteer leave, paid parental leave and the ability to purchase up to two weeks of additional leave
• Access to a wellbeing app and annual reimbursement to support your physical and mental wellbeing
• Gifted leave over the Christmas/New Year period
• Support for you and your family including counselling, legal advice, career coaching, financial counselling, and more
• We invest in our people through ongoing access to learning and development to support your professional growth and career goals.

Read more about what we offer you here.

How to apply
Click “Apply” to begin your application. We encourage you to include both your resume and a cover letter. In your cover letter, please highlight your experience that aligns with the key responsibilities outlined in the position description.
Applications are reviewed as they are received, so we encourage you to submit yours as soon as possible. If you have any questions, you’re welcome to contact us at careers@surgeons.org. Please note that we are unable to accept applications via email.
You will be informed of the outcome of your application in due course.

Please note we are not accepting agency submissions or referrals for this role.

RACS is a child safe organisation. RACS recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to the safety and protection of children in all our activities. As part of the selection process candidates are required to undergo a Police check, an anti-money laundering & counter-terrorism check and signing of our Child Safeguarding Policy & Code of Conduct and RACS Workforce Conduct Policy.

Everyone is welcome
We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued. We are committed to supporting diversity and inclusion in our workforce.
RACS acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and Māori as the tangata whenua (people of the land) of Aotearoa New Zealand.
We are committed to creating employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and Māori  and building an environment that is inclusive, culturally safe and appropriate.