Volunteer with VSA

Kia ora, Halo 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 your opportunity to become a VSA Volunteer to share your experience, skills and knowledge to serve and build capacity in the Solomon Islands. Work alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all.
  
We are looking for an experienced Education Advisor or someone with the right level of transferrable skills, who understands and shares the spirit of volunteering, with a keen interest in building capability in the Pacific.

The length of this assignment in the Solomon Islands will be 12-18 months.

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.

• Postgraduate qualification in education
• At least three years’ experience at a school or a leader in the education sector
• At least two years’ experience and skills leading and supporting change across an organisation or system
• Effective communication skills and experience mentoring others in the  context of change
• Knowledge of education policy, development, and implementation

Our Partner Organisation – Western Provincial Government:

The Western Province is the largest of the nine provinces of Solomon Islands and is renowned for its beautiful tropical islands and world class diving and snorkelling locations. Beautiful coral reefs, WWII wrecks, eco-tourism lodges and headhunting shrines are other attractions in the province that makes it the biggest tourist destination outside of Honiara.

The Western Provincial Government (WPG) has been operating since 1978 when the country became independent. The province has its own Provincial Government Administration head by a Clerk. The role of the WPG is to develop the province, particularly rural areas. Planning is an important part of the WPG’s activities as this helps to ensure that development occurs in a considered manner.

The Assignment 
The Western Provincial Government needs assistance to work effectively with all their education sector stakeholders, to engage and support them to meet the new expectations of the Education Act.  This will enable them better to govern and manage their schools, so all children receive good quality education.

A VSA volunteer is being sought to work with staff to operationalise the changes. Together you will work alongside the Chief Education Officer to understand what the requirements are and how the team can work with education providers, school boards and leaders, and teachers to effect change.
  
The Country – The Solomon Islands:
The Solomon Islands has over 900 islands, 5,000 rural villages and 550,000 people. Between 1999 and 2003 it experienced a period of conflict which took a heavy toll on the country and left a need for reconciliation and on-going peace and security measures.

A request for assistance by the government in 2003 led Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific Island countries to form the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) which restored peace and security.

VSA has established a strong presence in Solomon Islands through its ongoing partnerships with multiple in-country partners, including strong relationships with Solomon Islands Government. 

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:

• Mentor staff to use new tools provided or developed locally
• Support officers with trialling training activities
• Work with Education officers to design guidelines for school leaders and boards