Volunteer with VSA

Kia ora, Nisa Bula Vinaka and warm Pacific greetings,
  
Te Whāinga | Our Purpose is:

Te Hono Tangata - Te Huringa Ora.  

Ka hono a Te Tūao Tāwāhi i ngā tūao pūkenga ki ngā whakahaere me ngā hapori i te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa me tua atu, hei tautoko i ngā wawata kua tautuhia ā-rohe, ā, kia tutuki ai te panoni toitū. 

Connecting People – Transforming Lives. 

Volunteer Service Abroad connects skilled volunteers with organisations and communities in the Pacific and beyond to support locally identified aspirations and achieve sustainable change.  

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About the role:

This is an opportunity to become a VSA Volunteer to share your experience, skills and knowledge to serve and build capacity in Fiji. By working alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all.
  
We are looking for an experienced volunteer with knowledge of early education management and programmes or working experience in childminding and social services for young people. This assignment will be based in Suva and will run for 12 months. The key goal of this assignment is to ensure the childminding centre operates efficiently and sustainably, meeting the needs of children and their families while supporting the organisation’s wider social and economic development goals.

Please note that the VSA will support you by funding and organizing your flights, visas, insurances, accommodation, living allowance and utilities while you are on assignment.
  
Ngā tino Pūkenga/Wheako – Essential skills/experiences for the role:

If you are interested in this opportunity, below are some of the key skills and experiences that we’re looking for:

• 3 to 5 years of experience in early childhood education, centre management, or social services leadership.
• Demonstrated expertise in childcare and early childhood development practices.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to engage staff, families, and community stakeholders.
• Solid understanding of compliance, licensing, and child protection regulations in the education or childcare sector.
• Excellent organisational skills to support daily operations, scheduling, and documentation.
• Relevant qualification in Early Childhood Education, Social Work, Education Leadership, Community Development, or another related field.

Our Partner Organisation – International Needs Fiji:

International Needs Fiji (INFIJI), established in 1989, is dedicated to fostering the restoration of lives and the reinforcement of family values, with the overarching vision of contributing to the development of a prosperous nation. Its mission is to facilitate the creation of cohesive, sustainable communities by empowering individuals to become agents of positive social change.

A cornerstone of INFIJI’s work is the Solo Moms Project, which aims to empower the most vulnerable women in Fiji’s informal settlements, with a focus on micro-enterprise development and enhancing personal resilience. The Solo Moms Project provides targeted training for 20 single mothers each year, equipping them with essential skills to generate income, overcome social stigma, and build self-confidence.

The Assignment:

As a faith-based organisation committed to serving the community through early childhood care, International Needs Fiji (INFIJI) currently faces challenges in managing and operating an early learning centre that meets child development standards and sustainability principles. The organisation lacks in-house expertise in centre management, staff training, financial systems, and impact measurement.

A volunteer deployed on this assignment will address these gaps by providing mentoring, and support in developing effective operational and financial systems to ensure consistent, high-quality care. The volunteer will work closely with staff to build capacity in key areas such as daily routines, child engagement, hygiene, and family communication, while also strengthening financial and administrative processes for longterm sustainability.
  
The Country – Fiji:

Fiji includes the other 3 cultural groups called Fijians -Rotuma, Rabi, and Kioa (Rabian and Kioans) were resettled in Fiji after being evacuated from Ocean islands, Tuvalu and Kiribati).

It is a destination attraction for its coral reefs, clear lagoons, and tropical landscapes. Fijian indigenous society is very communal, with great importance attached to the family unit, the village, and the vanua (land). With the introduction of traditions such as Indian and Chinese and significant influences from Europe and Fiji's Pacific neighbours, particularly Tonga and Samoa, these various cultures have come together to create a multicultural national identity for Fiji.
  
Fiji has several development goals they are focusing on as a country such as lowering youth unemployment rates, reducing poverty, reducing child mortality and gender inequality, increasing environmental sustainability, and improving the health and education status of its citizens. 
 
Me pēhea te tuku tono| How to apply:

Please apply for this opportunity through our website. For more information or if you have any questions on this assignment, you are welcome to email our recruitment team at: volunteer@vsa.org.nz. Noting that due to our VSA funding requirements, our volunteers must be a NZ citizen or NZ Permanent Resident to progress further in our recruitment process.

We are looking for a volunteer with:

• 12 Month Volunteer Assignment based in Suva
• Flights, accommodation and other living expenses funded by VSA
• Transforming lives by empowering communities with shared skills and knowledge