Youth Development and Leadership Mentor (Agriculture) (PNG 42139)
Closing Date: 14 March 2026
Category: Agriculture & Horticultural Sustainability
Kia ora, Gude 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 Papua New Guinea. Work alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all.
We are looking for an experienced Youth Development and Leadership mentor 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 (while embracing a new cultural experience).
The length of this assignment in the Papua New Guinea will be 6 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.
Important note: Due to our VSA funding requirements, our volunteers must be a NZ citizen or NZ Permanent Resident to progress further in our recruitment process.
Our Partner Organisation – The Archdiocese of Rabaul
The Archdiocese of Rabaul, located in Vunapope, Kokopo, East New Britain, Papua New Guinea, plays a crucial role in providing essential services in a region where access to healthcare and education is limited. Due to the inadequate provision of these services in Papua New Guinea, the Archdiocese actively delivers healthcare and education to the local population. The Archdiocese operates various health facilities and educational institutions, including St. Mary's Hospital in Kokopo. It runs schools and educational programmes that provide quality education, fostering both personal and academic growth among students.
In addition to pastoral care, the Archdiocese is also involved in social outreach programmes (particularly for rural and remote communities) that address critical issues such as poverty, health, and education, contributing to the overall well-being of the community.
The Archdiocese has partnered with VSA and collaborates with other organisations to tackle the multifaceted challenges faced by the people, including high unemployment, economic deprivation, the impacts of climate change, and other socio-economic issues. These efforts highlight the Archdiocese's ongoing commitment to serving and uplifting the community through comprehensive support and care.
The Assignment
Papua New Guinea (PNG) has a young and rapidly growing population, with over 60% of people aged under 25. However, youth unemployment is exceptionally high, and many school leavers struggle to secure employment. This is largely due to the poor quality of education and the lack of quality vocational training programmes, which leave many young people unprepared for the workforce. Furthermore, there is a significant skills mismatch between job seekers and the needs of employers. The high dropout rate also reduces the employability of young people in an already limited formal job market, which is unable to absorb all new job seekers.
The situation is exacerbated by slow private sector development, hindered by inadequate infrastructure, corruption, and various business constraints. Law and order issues further complicate the problem. However, agriculture presents a viable solution to youth unemployment in PNG, offering young people profitable, scalable, and sustainable agribusiness opportunities.
The Country – Papua New Guinea
Most people living in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are Melanesian, but some are Micronesian or Polynesian. PNG has over 800 known languages although there are three official languages: Tok Pisin, English, and Hiri Motu. Numerous indigenous languages are still used by people from a society that ranges from traditional village-based life to modern urban living.
Underlying the Papua New Guinean culture is the wantok system. Wantok, or ‘one talk’, refers to the people who speak your language or your extended family/clan; a Papua New Guinean’s primary loyalty will be to their wantok.
The country is predominately Christian, with indigenous faith and spirituality still important to many locals.
The people of Papua New Guinea are famously warm and hospitable and the isolated mountain ranges are often home to unique fauna and flora found nowhere else in the world.
Me pēhea te tuku tono| How to apply:
Apply for this opportunity through our website.
For more information or if you have any questions on this assignment, email volunteer@vsa.org.nz.
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 Papua New Guinea. Work alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all.
We are looking for an experienced Youth Development and Leadership mentor 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 (while embracing a new cultural experience).
The length of this assignment in the Papua New Guinea will be 6 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.
- A qualification in Horticulture, or a related field.
- Relevant work experience in positive leadership development or youth empowerment.
- Ability to provide hands-on coaching and create a supportive learning environment for young people.
- Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire young people
Important note: Due to our VSA funding requirements, our volunteers must be a NZ citizen or NZ Permanent Resident to progress further in our recruitment process.
Our Partner Organisation – The Archdiocese of Rabaul
The Archdiocese of Rabaul, located in Vunapope, Kokopo, East New Britain, Papua New Guinea, plays a crucial role in providing essential services in a region where access to healthcare and education is limited. Due to the inadequate provision of these services in Papua New Guinea, the Archdiocese actively delivers healthcare and education to the local population. The Archdiocese operates various health facilities and educational institutions, including St. Mary's Hospital in Kokopo. It runs schools and educational programmes that provide quality education, fostering both personal and academic growth among students.
In addition to pastoral care, the Archdiocese is also involved in social outreach programmes (particularly for rural and remote communities) that address critical issues such as poverty, health, and education, contributing to the overall well-being of the community.
The Archdiocese has partnered with VSA and collaborates with other organisations to tackle the multifaceted challenges faced by the people, including high unemployment, economic deprivation, the impacts of climate change, and other socio-economic issues. These efforts highlight the Archdiocese's ongoing commitment to serving and uplifting the community through comprehensive support and care.
The Assignment
Papua New Guinea (PNG) has a young and rapidly growing population, with over 60% of people aged under 25. However, youth unemployment is exceptionally high, and many school leavers struggle to secure employment. This is largely due to the poor quality of education and the lack of quality vocational training programmes, which leave many young people unprepared for the workforce. Furthermore, there is a significant skills mismatch between job seekers and the needs of employers. The high dropout rate also reduces the employability of young people in an already limited formal job market, which is unable to absorb all new job seekers.
The situation is exacerbated by slow private sector development, hindered by inadequate infrastructure, corruption, and various business constraints. Law and order issues further complicate the problem. However, agriculture presents a viable solution to youth unemployment in PNG, offering young people profitable, scalable, and sustainable agribusiness opportunities.
The Country – Papua New Guinea
Most people living in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are Melanesian, but some are Micronesian or Polynesian. PNG has over 800 known languages although there are three official languages: Tok Pisin, English, and Hiri Motu. Numerous indigenous languages are still used by people from a society that ranges from traditional village-based life to modern urban living.
Underlying the Papua New Guinean culture is the wantok system. Wantok, or ‘one talk’, refers to the people who speak your language or your extended family/clan; a Papua New Guinean’s primary loyalty will be to their wantok.
The country is predominately Christian, with indigenous faith and spirituality still important to many locals.
The people of Papua New Guinea are famously warm and hospitable and the isolated mountain ranges are often home to unique fauna and flora found nowhere else in the world.
Me pēhea te tuku tono| How to apply:
Apply for this opportunity through our website.
For more information or if you have any questions on this assignment, email volunteer@vsa.org.nz.
We are looking for a volunteer with:
- Use your knowledge of Horticulture to empower the future of youth in PNG
- Provide hands-on coaching and create a supportive learning environment for young
- Once in a lifetime opportunity to create a legacy in the pacific
VSA covers flights, accommodation, insurance and some expenses. A living allowance is also provided.
Does volunteering with one of the largest and most experienced agency in international development interest you?