30 January - 3 February 2025 | Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur
Hailed as the 'Greatest literary show on Earth,' the Jaipur Literature Festival brings together distinguished writers, thinkers, humanitarians, politicians, business leaders, sports icons, and entertainers from around the world. This unique event showcases the art of sharing ideas, having meaningful conversations, and exchanging thoughts that deeply resonate.
At the core of the Festival are its treasured volunteers, who play a vital role in making it lively and successful. Fuelled by their passion, dedication and commitment, they are eager to contribute to the Festival's production and hospitality.
Looking back over the past decade, especially the challenging years of the pandemic, the Jaipur Literature Festival has been growing in size and vision. This journey has been supported by a united group of volunteers who consistently bring their enthusiasm.
Recognising this backbone of almost 300 volunteers annually, we understand that we cannot accept every application. However, we are once again calling for an exceptional group for the 2025 edition. Interacting closely with the Festival organisers, directors, artists, educators, students and audience members, our volunteers will protect the Festival's essence and uphold event protocols.
In its recent evolution, the Festival has opened up new opportunities. Expanding beyond its original scope, it has become a dynamic hybrid event that reaches beyond geographical boundaries. This broader approach welcomes participants from various backgrounds, no matter where they are located.
For those prepared to embark on this enriching journey of volunteering—a voyage that encompasses not only the Festival itself but also the training period and its culmination, spanning a full ten days—we urge you to carefully peruse the FAQs, Terms and Conditions and all relevant details. Are you ready to embrace this rewarding commitment?
Returning Volunteers please note that you have to fill out this form diligently and follow all protocols of the selection process. Please read the FAQs for more information on the same.
Author Liaison
Volunteers in this department will receive the author(s) and ensure they are prepared and at the venue for their session. You will be based in the Authors’ Lounge, offering warmth and hospitality and ensuring the age-old Indian adage ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ (‘the guest is God’) by making sure our authors are comfortable and relaxed.
Audio Visual Wing
As an AV volunteer at JLF, you’ll be responsible for managing the Audio Visual desk at each venue. Beyond that, you'll need patience for reviewing footage, skills in content creation, and a knack for identifying key moments. Tech-savviness, stamina for long hours, and strong communication skills are essential. Familiarity with MS Office (Adobe is a plus) and a good understanding of video content are also required since the AV department oscillates between the creative and the technical.
Book Signing
Each venue has a dedicated book signing area where speakers will arrive following their session to sign books for their legions of fans. It will be your job to make sure the area is ready and equipped with everything required. You will also need to make sure orderly queues are formed and that the signings proceed calmly.
Book Store
Every year at the Jaipur Literature Festival, we showcase our very own library and bookstore. Book inventory, helping the audience locate their next read, manning the bookstore as well as making sales will be your responsibility. This role can be more physically demanding and requires being on your feet.
Digital Payment Solution
In this day and age, it’s all about going cashless. The department was introduced in 2018 and saw the Festival go cashless across the board. Volunteers in this department will be required to work with unwavering focus and attention as they will be dealing with transactions.
Food and Beverage and Lounge Management
Volunteers in the department will need to ensure our lounges are stocked with refreshments, venues provided with adequate bottles of water and meals laid out on time. Volunteers will also need to help manage crowds during peak hours. This is an ideal role for hotel management and hospitality students.
Friends of the Festival Management
The Friends of the Festival experience that is offered at the Festival is one-of-its-kind. Volunteers will be responsible for managing the guest lounge and ensuring that Friends of the Festival are looked after. This includes manning the enquiry desk in the lounge, closely working with Food and Beverage volunteers, and escorting them to the Transport Desk. Volunteers may also be assigned the responsibility to go to the Heritage Events.
Heritage Events
In addition to sessions at the main festival venue and the Jaipur Music Stage, there are additional events hosted by the Festival, which in the past have included performances at Amber Fort and Albert Hall. Volunteers assigned to this role will need to get the venue ready, usher people in and help manage crowds and invites.
Information Desk
Volunteers working at the Information Desk will be required to literally know-it-all. But without the attitude of a know-it-all! You’ll need to know the venues and schedule like the back of your hand and keep up to date with any programme changes. You will also manage the sale of brochures as well as the lost and found.
IT-Technical
This department is key in running and connecting the Festival to the world. Volunteers will be required to work with the IT representative from Teamwork Arts to ensure technical errors don’t hamper the Festival and there is internet connectivity at all times. If you are pursuing B. Tech specialising in computers and electronics, this is an ideal position for you!
Jaipur Music Stage
Volunteers will be responsible for ensuring the set-up of the Jaipur Music Stage and sound checks are carried out according to schedule. Music Stage Volunteers will also be the Artist Liaisons for the morning music programme at the Jaipur Literature Festival.
Logistics (Transport & Accommodation)
One of the most stimulating albeit most challenging departments, this job requires meticulous time keeping and organisational skills. Our self-motivated volunteers are responsible for taking care of our authors’ travel itineraries, having them picked up and dropped to and from specific locations and making sure their accommodation is ready for their arrival. Volunteers working in this department will need to be quick on their feet, ready to tackle any problem, and of course, be courteous at all times.
Merchandise
Volunteers will be responsible for managing the merchandise store, which includes assisting the vendors in setting up the store, billing, making payments, and ensuring smooth running of a cashless system. This is a great opportunity for people with a design and/or marketing background. This role can be more physically demanding and requires being on your feet.
Outreach
The primary objective of the Outreach Programme is to widen the scope of the Festival by reaching out to educational institutes through comprehensive sessions and workshops with authors with the aim of cultivating a penchant for reading among children. The Volunteers will be required to coordinate with the school, authors, and logistics team to ensure that the process is carried out smoothly.
Press & Media
Press and Media volunteers will be based at the Press Area where they will work closely with the Festival PR team to coordinate interviews with the speakers. You will also be responsible for assisting media persons with any festival-related queries. In addition, you’ll also need to make sure the Press Terrace is ready to receive authors for their interviews.
Registration
Your responsibility will be to receive the audience and check identity cards/documents as well as register our Friends of the Festival, authors, press, and artists separately. You’ll be the ‘face’ of the Festival, making first contact with our audiences and speakers as they make their way to the venue so if you’re tech-savvy, quick to learn, calm under pressure, and can keep a smile on your face, this is the job for you!
Security
You will be the eyes and ears of the Jaipur Literature Festival by ensuring there is smooth coordination and interaction between the security guards, bouncers, and the audience attending the Festival and the Jaipur Music Stage where artist security will take prime precedence. The Security Volunteers will work with security agencies and assist their team members and Teamwork Arts Security Team Leader during VVIP visits and be aware of any unwanted or anti-social activities.
Social Media
Do you live and breathe social media? This is a great opportunity for you to work alongside our digital team and hone in your photography and content writing skills. Volunteers will be required to work on the ground to capture the ambience of the Festival, behind-the-scenes activities, and key sessions to generate online content for the Festival. Applicants with a background or interest in photography, advertising, branding, and digital media are encouraged to apply. Having a DSLR is an additional advantage, so please do mention this in your application form!
Sponsor Management
Volunteers are assigned different venues where they will coordinate with the venue managers, technical staff, and the sponsorship team to make sure that branding as promised to sponsors is displayed correctly. This is a great opportunity for marketing students or those with similar experience.
Venue Management
Your main responsibilities will be to make sure your assigned venue is ready prior to every session and help your Venue Managers with managing the crowds and any other task that may arise. As with most other roles, you’ll need to be quick on your feet, patient and courteous; crowd management is going to be one of the key tasks allocated to you as a venue volunteer. While you may have a front-row seat to watching some of the world’s greatest writers and thinkers, you will have to prioritize and ensure your venue functions smoothly.
1. Registration Deadline: Registration for volunteering is open until 11 PM, November 10, 2024.
2. Volunteer Requirement: Please note that if our volunteer requirement is met on or before November 10, 2024, we will no longer accept applications for positions for the 2025 edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival.
3. Age Requirement: Only applicants OVER 18 years old will be accepted. Applicants who have not turned 18 on or before December 31, 2024, will NOT be considered.
4. Application Accuracy: Please ensure that the details you have entered are correct and carefully read through the form before submitting.
5. Plagiarism: Please note that answers plagiarised or copied/pasted answers from your peers/fellow applicants would result in an immediate disqualification of your application. We understand there are now websites which assist you in answering questions, so we will run your answers through algorithms to ensure that the impact of plagiarism is minimised.
6. Personal Interview: A personal group interview will be conducted in Jaipur following the first round of selection. These interviews will take place in December 2024. Shortlisted applicants will be required to have knowledge of the Festival's history, previous programs, directors, and organizers. Outstation volunteers will be interviewed online.
7. Interview for Outstation Applicants: If you are an outstation applicant (i.e., from anywhere outside of Jaipur), your interview will be conducted online. Details will be shared with you in advance.
8. Residency Preference: First preference when selecting volunteers goes to those residing in Jaipur. Chosen volunteers from other cities will need to arrange their own accommodation, travel, and transportation.
9. Interview Period: Interviews with shortlisted applicants will be conducted from November 2024 to December 2024.
10. Communication: All key communication will be conducted via email. Applicants who fail to respond to emails or reminder phone calls from organizers during the selection process and training will NOT be considered, and their position will be offered to another deserving candidate.
11. Mandatory Training: There will be a MANDATORY 3-4 day training program for all shortlisted applicants before the festival. For this edition, you will be asked to arrive on January 26, 2025 for the training program.
12. Undertaking Agreement: Once selected, you will be asked to sign an undertaking.
13. Lunch and Refreshments: Lunch will be provided to all volunteers at the festival venue. Volunteers are advised to bring basic refreshments like biscuits and fruits from home.
14. Notice Period: We would appreciate a 10-day NOTICE PERIOD if you wish to withdraw following selection.
15. Certificate and Honorarium: The Festival will provide a certificate and basic honorarium to acknowledge your efforts. Please review these updated terms and conditions carefully before proceeding with your application. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us.
1. What are the steps involved in the volunteering process?
After filling out the application form on the website, individuals are shortlisted and contacted for the next stage - group interviews. This year, the interviews will take place in the first week of December. Once selected, roles and departments are assigned by the Volunteer Management Team and communicated via email. As a commitment, Volunteers are then required to attend a 3 – 4 day training session preceding the festival. Once training is complete, the team leader assigns duties and the hard work (and fun) begins. All Volunteers are required to stay and be present a day after the Festival for a customary ‘thank you’ lunch where you will receive your certificates and honorariums.
2. Why should I apply?
Volunteering boosts a person’s profile. The volunteers at Jaipur Literature Festival are exposed to a wide array of people ranging from speakers to festival organisers to fellow volunteers who come from different backgrounds. It also provides an opportunity to understand the logistics behind putting together a festival the size and scale of the Jaipur Literature Festival.
3. Where will the interviews take place?
The interviews take place in Jaipur. Details on the exact venue, date, and time will be shared with the shortlisted applicants via email. The interview of outstation applicants will be conducted online in November and the link will be shared via email.
4. Can people from outside India also volunteer?
Yes, we accept applicants from across the globe. The interviews will be carried out online. However, if chosen, the volunteers will have to take care of their travel, visa, local transport and accommodation, medical and travel insurance. They will have to be present for all festival training and orientation.
5. Will I get to choose my department?
The volunteers will be assigned departments based on their interviews at the discretion of the Volunteer Management Team and this decision will be final and binding. However, if you have a specific skill, you will be asked to highlight the same during the interview process. We will consider that while allocating your department.
Please note that certain volunteer roles are outside the main Festival venue. Please read the list of Departments carefully to understand where and what they are.
6. I have no past volunteering experience. Will this affect my application?
No, this will not affect your application. We recruit volunteers with and without experience. If you haven’t volunteered earlier, don’t worry. Just make sure you are honest with us and communicate your enthusiasm, skills and attributes beneficial for the Festival and your personal growth.
7. Do I need specific qualifications?
There is no specific formal qualification required to volunteer at the Festival. We are looking for highly motivated individuals who like working in a challenging and dynamic environment. Remember to highlight specific skills when asked during the interview process.
8. I have filled out the volunteer application form but have not been invited for the interview. What should I do?
Due to the large amount of volunteer applications we receive, it may take some time to process them and get back to you. If you don’t hear from us (don’t forget to check your junk/spam mail), please be patient. We will get in touch as soon as we can. The applications are responded to on a first come-first serve basis and hence applying closer to the deadline could result in your application not being processed instantly. If you do not hear from us by the end of December, it should be assumed that your application has not been selected.
Keep in mind that a large number of applications do not meet our requirements/expectations and are rejected. Please read the roles and responsibilities carefully before applying.
9. I have volunteered at JLF before, do I need to re-apply and sit for the entire process again?
The short answer is, yes. Each year the Festival changes and evolves and so do all of us.
For us to fully assess you and utilise you to the best of your capabilities, you will need to follow the entire selection process, even if you are a returning volunteer.
10. How many volunteers are recruited?
We recruit around 300 volunteers who work across 20+ departments. Please read more about the departments on the ‘Departments at JLF’ page.
11. Will I be asked to upload my CV during the registration process?
No, you will only be required to fill out an application form. Please make sure you read the application form carefully before filling it out.
12. What is the age limit to apply?
Only applicants above the age of 18 years will be accepted. Any applicant that has not turned 18 years old on or before December 31, 2024, will not be considered. However, there is no maximum age limit. JLF has a lot of opportunities for people with diverse skill sets.
13. Do I need to know any local language for volunteering?
It is preferred that volunteers be fluent in English and/or Hindi. Knowledge of an additional language, Indian or international, is a bonus. This year, you can fill out the application form in Hindi as well.
14. Is there an application fee?
No, you just need to complete the online application form to apply.
15. Will I get a letter of appointment or a separate letter for my college authorities to show that I am volunteering for the festival?
The department/role confirmation email sent to you from Teamwork Arts will serve as a formal confirmation of your volunteer application. The certificate provided after the completion of your volunteering period will be proof of the activity undertaken.
16. What are my working hours?
Most volunteers will be required for the duration of the Festival i.e. from 8am to 8pm. There are some departments, however, like Jaipur Music Stage, Merchandise and Logistics, that require some volunteers to have more flexible working hours. Working hours are subject to change depending on the responsibility assigned. You will be informed well in advance before being allotted to departments that require you to work earlier or later than the Festival's working hours.
17. Can I attend sessions while volunteering?
Volunteering for the Jaipur Literature Festival is a full-time commitment. Please refrain from seeking permission from your team leaders and volunteer coordinators to watch a session. If your key intent as a volunteer is to attend sessions, we suggest that you attend the Festival as a member of the audience. Seats are not allocated for volunteers. Some volunteer roles involve being based at session venues and/or with a view of the sessions from time to time, but it is important to remember that you are still working.
18. What is the period of commitment?
Volunteers will be required to attend a MANDATORY 3-4 day training workshop before the Festival. The Festival itself takes place over 5 days. There is a closing get-together and wrap-up for volunteers a day after the Festival. In total, the commitment period will run for 10 days. This year, the volunteers will be asked to arrive on January 26, 2025, and stay till February 4, 2025.
19. Why do I need to attend the training?
Training is essential to ensure you have the necessary skills and information to perform your assigned role effectively and safely. This will include basic security and disaster management training and demonstrations. Training is important to get familiar with your team members and leaders. Whether you are a returning volunteer or a new one, training is essential to be acquainted with the ever-evolving Festival and your team. Further information and individual training schedules will be communicated to successful volunteers after their roles have been assigned.
20. Where will the volunteer training take place?
The final training will take place on ground at the Festival venue - Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur. You will also be put in touch with your team leaders in January and asked to attend a compulsory online training session. More details will be provided during the selection process.
21. Is there a dress code?
Volunteers are expected to wear smart casual attire. You will be given a Festival Jacket and a badge which must be worn by all volunteers at all times during their working hours.
Ripped jeans, slippers, T-shirts with quotes, and flashy colours will not be allowed. Practical shoes are a must (and recommended) as you will be on your feet most of the time. Volunteers should always be dressed in a presentable manner and maintain personal hygiene as they are the representatives of the Festival.
22. Can I take leave during the Festival?
All volunteers must be present during the times/dates required. Hence, we advise volunteers not to take leave during the training and the Festival. The certificate will only be awarded if the volunteer attends all days of the training and the Festival. Anyone failing to do so will not receive the certificate.
23. What meals will be provided?
Volunteers are provided lunch during training and the Festival. Light refreshments will also be available throughout the day. We recommend that all volunteers carry fruits, light snacks and water bottles for the training and the Festival.
24. Can I leave if I don’t align with the experience?
Yes, you are under no obligation to keep volunteering if you don’t enjoy the experience. However, it is always worth talking to somebody about this first. This could be a volunteer coordinator, supervisor or someone in the organisation who is responsible for you. You can discuss why you feel unhappy and what you feel would improve your time as a volunteer. It is also something you may want to talk about with other volunteers. Give yourself a chance to understand the role and work ethics. As the Festival progresses, you will be able to understand your job and develop a bond with your team. Try and give it your 100% and absorb all that you can during the volunteering experience.
25. What will I receive after the completion of my volunteer work?
You will receive a certificate of appreciation and a basic honorarium acknowledging your work.
26. My friend is also volunteering; can we be assigned to the same department?
A key offering of volunteering at the Jaipur Literature Festival is that you get to meet a variety of people from different backgrounds. The idea behind this is to get to know new people, socialise and create bonds. We usually do not assign friends and family members to the same departments unless they are best suited for the same roles by default.
27. Can I smoke during my volunteer duty hours?
The Festival venue is a no-smoking zone and we do not encourage smoking or drinking during volunteering hours. The volunteers must be fully aware of their conduct at all times and should not indulge in any activity that could compromise the image and reputation of the Festival.
28. As a volunteer what areas do I have access to?
Volunteers have access to the sub-venues at the festival venue where sessions take place. Only volunteers of certain departments (Author Liaison, Lounge Management, F&B) will have access to Authors and Friends of Festival lounges. Volunteers are not allowed in the speaker dinner area. A dedicated Volunteer Lounge will exclusively provide volunteers with meals and refreshments.
29. Can I take a break to meet my friends during the Festival?
Volunteering for the Jaipur Literature Festival is a full-time commitment and thus we advise you against such actions. We can guarantee that you’ll make plenty of new friends while working at the festival.
Departments
Terms & Conditions
FAQs