In case you’re wondering, NGO is short for non governmental organization. These are non-profit organizations, independent from government and they’re of a charitable, research or educational nature. There are lots of different typer of NGO, they vary in size and are often organized around specific issues such as human rights, the environment or health. Some you may have heard of include Amnesty International, Branados, Oxfam, Plan and Save the Children.

We’re thrilled you’re interested in getting involved with TIE. And it really is very easy.  The timeline (from announcing TIE within your company to candidate arriving in country) can take 6 months – but we can make it quicker if need-be.  Here is a step-by-step guide as to what needs to happen when:

• Announce TIE to your company (We can do this, or we can also arrange for a past candidate to speak to your Board or to your whole company to help people understand what the experience is like and what the benefits are for all involved);
• Kick start the application process (we can provide you with ideas if you need help on how to do this);
• Applications submitted/presented and candidate selection (allow 1 – 2 months for application submissions and selection of candidate);
• TIE to match candidate to a relevant project considering the candidate’s professional background and personal interests (allow 1 month);
• Candidate Proposal & predeparture meetings, pre-departure training, fundraising, language lessons, placement date allocation (allow around 3 months before arriving in country).

TIE selection is an important part of the process.  We look for CPs (communication professionals) who have had at least 4 or so years working in communications and have the necessary personal attributes to thrive in a TIE placement (open mindedness, flexibility, empathy etc).  We then carefully match up the skill set of the individual with the relevant needs of the organisation. TIE works with the NGOs before hand to find out what their needs are, and then carefully develop proposals that outline the objectives for each placement. We then pair CPs with the appropriate NGOs based on their skill and ability, making sure that they are able to add value to the organisation that they work with, and are able to meet those objectives outlined in the proposals.  Usually the agencies look at offering the TIE experience to staff they see as being future leaders of the organisation and often offer it as a retention/loyalty tool.  As long as the individuals meet the professional and personal criteria, it really is up to the agencies who they want to send.  Different companies/agencies have different objectives for selecting their potential candidates, and we are more than happy to work with the agencies so that they are able to meet their objectives along the way.

TIE really is a win-win. So far we are happy to say we’ve had a 100% success rate with all of our placements. To date, TIE has made a difference to every single person and organization that has got involved: from the NGO and the local community, to the local agency and local agency employees, to the TIE candidate and the agency back in the home country.  I’m sure you can understand how we just get more and more passionate about TIE after each project has taken place.

All of our projects, at the moment, are based in Brazil. We work with a host of NGOs that work with a host of different causes ranging from street children, HIV/AIDS, ecology, education, and human rights.  These NGOs are mostly based in the Northeast of the country, but we do have a few projects based in other areas. One, for example, is based in the Atlantic Rainforest in the state of Minas Gerais.  That said, we do plan to expand and are currently in discussions with organizations based in South East Asia and a few different countries in Africa.

You name it, we can work with you.  We can work with professionals that are account people, creatives, planners, designers, PR people, strategists, event organizers, promotors, photographers, or specialize in media. If you think you can benefit from a TIE placement, and have something to offer, get in touch and I’m sure we can find a project for you.

TIE’s vision is to bring together people, cultures and ideas from around the world to change lives and transform organizations and societies. We hope to eventually be an international communications network that provides life changing opportunities to everyone involved.