Community Development and Recreation Adviser
Closing Date: 21 March 2026
Category: Youth Engagement & Community Development
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 an opportunity to become a VSA Volunteer to share your experience, skills and knowledge to serve and build capacity in the Solomon Islands.
Ideally, we are looking for a volunteer with a blend of experience in Community development projects or experience working in education and training. All while being someone who understands and shares the spirit of volunteering, with a keen interest in building capability in the Pacific.
Please note that the VSA will supports our volunteers 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.
DIVIT Rural Training Centre (DIVIT) was established in 1972 by the Catholic daughters of Mary Immaculate - DMI sisters. The training centre is located at Visale, North-West Guadalcanal. DIVIT offers skills training to young people, mostly girls from rural areas. The training centre also offers boarding facilities for young girls who live far from the centre. The centre works to provide a safe, healthy and positive environment conducive for learning.
DIVIT trains young people most of whom have dropped out of high school. Most of the girls are aged between 18 and 22 years of age. Most girls, being from rural communities and unable to afford fees, receive scholarships. Currently there are about 83 students at the training centre. Subjects taught at DIVIT include tourism and hospitality, agriculture, health and hygiene, clothing and textiles, carpentry, computer skills, English language and financial literacy. Graduates of DIVIT can use their skills to start their own businesses, find employment, and/or pursue further studies at institutions like Solomon Islands National University.
The Assignment:
A volunteer is being sought to support DIVIT to understand what community development and community recreation could look like in their setting. They would like their young people to be more engaged in community activities especially in support of the elderly nuns who would appreciate engaging in activities that keep them healthy. On this assignment a volunteer would be helping the team to establish good practices and systems in community recreation while also supporting shared learning across the whole organisation.
A volunteer deployed on this assignment will be reporting directly to the Principal for the Centre but will likely spend more time working directly with the staff and students.
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.
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 the Solomon Islands.
Ideally, we are looking for a volunteer with a blend of experience in Community development projects or experience working in education and training. All while being someone who understands and shares the spirit of volunteering, with a keen interest in building capability in the Pacific.
Please note that the VSA will supports our volunteers 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.
- Undergraduate qualification or three years’ experience in community development, community recreation, community engagement or related fields
- Ability to think strategically and engage with diverse communities
- Ability to facilitate discussions amongst different stakeholder groups
- Excellent problem-solving abilities
DIVIT Rural Training Centre (DIVIT) was established in 1972 by the Catholic daughters of Mary Immaculate - DMI sisters. The training centre is located at Visale, North-West Guadalcanal. DIVIT offers skills training to young people, mostly girls from rural areas. The training centre also offers boarding facilities for young girls who live far from the centre. The centre works to provide a safe, healthy and positive environment conducive for learning.
DIVIT trains young people most of whom have dropped out of high school. Most of the girls are aged between 18 and 22 years of age. Most girls, being from rural communities and unable to afford fees, receive scholarships. Currently there are about 83 students at the training centre. Subjects taught at DIVIT include tourism and hospitality, agriculture, health and hygiene, clothing and textiles, carpentry, computer skills, English language and financial literacy. Graduates of DIVIT can use their skills to start their own businesses, find employment, and/or pursue further studies at institutions like Solomon Islands National University.
The Assignment:
A volunteer is being sought to support DIVIT to understand what community development and community recreation could look like in their setting. They would like their young people to be more engaged in community activities especially in support of the elderly nuns who would appreciate engaging in activities that keep them healthy. On this assignment a volunteer would be helping the team to establish good practices and systems in community recreation while also supporting shared learning across the whole organisation.
A volunteer deployed on this assignment will be reporting directly to the Principal for the Centre but will likely spend more time working directly with the staff and students.
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:
- Bring your knowledge and experience to the Solomon Islands !
- 12-month volunteer assignment based in Visale
- Flights, accommodation, and living expenses funded by VSA
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?