German Volunteer Service for Social Coaching and Volunteer Coordination (BFD, m/f/d)

Part-time or full-time for 6-12 months, from March 2026,
no age limit (part-time voluntary service ideal for sabbatical or gap year), German C1 required

The LIFE Initiative is a non-profit organization. We offer people in emergency situations individual online social counseling and coaching on bureaucratic problems. This enables people seeking help to successfully access social benefits. All LIFE Initiative volunteers are prepared for their role as coaches through targeted training and work flexibly in terms of time and location. We are now looking for a federal volunteer to support the team with a variety of tasks. Together, our growing team ensures that everyone makes progress.

Your tasks:

• Initial contact with migrants seeking advice and coordination of processes within the volunteer team
• Online coaching and advice for people seeking help with difficulties with authorities
• Collaboration in the recruitment and selection of new volunteers
• Collaboration in the development and planning of the organizational structure of the non-profit association LIFE Initiative
• Your suggestions and ideas can be taken into account when setting the task

What you can expect:

• Comprehensive coaching and participation in training courses and seminars
• Opportunity to help shape the development of a non-profit organization and participate in the conception of an innovative approach to social counseling
• Integration into the organization’s dynamic founding team
• Flexible working hours (according to BFD rules from 20.5 hours per week), partly home office
• Pocket money of EUR 200 to 250 per month as well as social insurance as part of the BFD agreement. The pocket money is not deductible from citizens’ allowance or unemployment benefit.

Requirements:

• Availability of at least six months (flexible start date)
• German C1 required (business fluent), English and additional language skills advantageous
• Experience in coaching, training or social work and a Bachelor’s degree would be an advantage
• Strong team spirit and desire to contribute to the development of an innovative non-profit organization

We look forward to receiving your application via our application form.

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Name *

First

Load

Email *

Are you applying as a volunteer or for an internship? *

• Volunteer in Social Coaching
• Mandatory internship
• Voluntary internship
• Bundesfreiwilligendienst (6 to 12 months)

Mandatory internship, e.g., as part of a degree program in social work, psychology, education, or nonprofit management

Bewerbungszweck

How many mandatory internship hours do you have to complete in total? *

When would you like to start with the LIFE Initiative? *

Are you willing to answer questions about your availability, language skills and experience? *

• Yes
• No (not now)

If you don't answer now, we'll have to ask you the questions later.

Availability

How much time do you have for your voluntary work at LIFE? *

• Less than 2 hours per week
• 2–4 hours per week
• More than 4 hours per week

How long would you like to work as a volunteer at LIFE? *

• 1–3 months
• 4–6 months
• 7–12 months
• longer than 12 months

How long would you like to work at LIFE? *

• 3 months (minimum duration)
• 4–6 months
• 7–12 months

Please note: A voluntary internship is only possible for a maximum of 3 months.

Approximately how many hours would you like to work per week? *

• 10 to 15 hours per week
• 15 to 20 hours per week
• 20 to 25 hours per week
• 25 to 35 hours per week

Language:

How do you rate your German language skills? *

• C1 or higher (fluent)
• B2 (independent user)
• B1 (intemediate)
• A2 or lower (beginner)

No certificate required

How would you rate your level of English? *

• C1 or higher (fluent)
• B2 (independent user)
• B1 (intemediate)
• A2 or lower (beginner)

No certificate required

What other languages do you speak?

• Arabic
• Farsi/Dari (Persian)
• French
• Russian
• Spanish
• Turkish
• Other

Min. B2 level

Other languages (min. B2 level):

Background:

How many years of work experience do you have in total? *

• less than 1 year
• 1 - 2 years
• 3 - 5 years
• more than 5 years

Full-time work, incl. internships

How many years did you live in Germany? *

• less than 1 year
• 1 - 2 years
• 3 - 5 years
• more than 5 years

Do you have experience with the following topics?

• Residence permit / Immigration Office
• Jobcenter / Bürgergeld
• Asylum procedure / BAMF
• Bureaucracy in the education system
• Bureaucracy in the healthcare sector

What other experience do you have? (1-2 sentences or keywords)

How do you rate your skills in the following areas?

Intercultural competence *

• very high
• high
• neutral
• low
• very low

Coaching or social work *

• very high
• high
• neutral
• low
• very low

Communicative skills *

• very high
• high
• neutral
• low
• very low

would total? rate

Written communication and administrative processes *

• very high
• high
• neutral
• low
• very low

Digital tools and research on the Internet *

• very high
• high
• neutral
• low
• very low

Motivation:

Why do you want to take part in LIFE? *

• I would like to gain experience in coaching or social work.
• I want to help people in need.
• I have experienced for myself how difficult German bureaucracy can be and would like to pass on my experience to others.
• I want to learn new communication and problem-solving skills.
• I would like to join a non-profit team.

Multiple answers selectable

Please briefly describe your background and motivation. *

2-3 sentences or keywords about your background and motivation. What do you expect from your work with us? You are also welcome to send us your questions.

If possible, please upload your CV to enable us to process your application quickly.

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload You can upload up to 2 files.

Only required if we do not yet have your CV.
PDF documents; max. 5 MB, max. 2 files

How did you first become aware of the LIFE initiative? *

• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Google
• Personal recommendation
• Other:

Other channel to have learned about the LIFE initiative: *

Send

You can also contact us at any time by e-mail (jobs@life-initiative.org) with questions or your application.

LIFE Initiative e.V.
represented by: Ramin Goo
Oranienstraße 203,10999 Berlin
E-mail: jobs@life-initiative.org
Phone: +49 30 233 213 00