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 across the Pacific and beyond, supporting locally identified aspirations and creating sustainable change.

This is your opportunity to become a VSA Volunteer, sharing your experience, skills and knowledge to build capacity in Vanuatu. You’ll work alongside a local partner organisation to help create a brighter future.
We are seeking an experienced Paediatric Consultant Trainer, or someone with strong transferable skills, who shares the spirit of volunteering and has a genuine interest in building capability in the Pacific, while embracing a new cultural experience.
This assignment is based in Vanuatu for 6 months, with the option to extend.
VSA will support you by funding and organising your flights, visa, insurance, accommodation, living allowance, and utilities during your assignment.

Ngā tino Pūkenga/Wheako – Essential skills & experience

We’re looking for:

• Paediatric Consultant medical qualification
• Extensive experience in patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management (including referrals, given local resource constraints)
• Experience teaching and mentoring medical interns, medical officers, ED nurses, and intern nurses
• Willingness to apply for Medical Registration in Vanuatu
• A current Certificate of Good Standing from the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ)

Important: Due to VSA funding requirements, applicants must be a NZ citizen or permanent resident.

Our Partner Organisation – Northern Provincial Hospital / Ministry of Health (NPH) 

The Assignment -  This is a partnership assignment between VSA and NPH.
The Paediatric Department at NPH provides care for children from birth to 14 years, serving Luganville, rural facilities within Sanma Province, and referrals from three other northern provinces. Currently, there is only one Paediatrician, supported by a Medical Officer, covering the department 24/7 - limiting opportunities for structured training.

As a volunteer, you will:

• Support patient management across HDU, the children’s ward, nursery, and outpatient department
• Work alongside the Medical Officer on daily ward rounds
• Assist with paediatric emergencies, including neonatal resuscitation and attending caesarean sections when required
• Mentor Medical Officers, Nurse Practitioners, and nursing staff
• Support the lead Paediatrician to develop and deliver training opportunities

The Country – Vanuatu

Vanuatu is a volcanic archipelago of 86 islands, where traditional lifestyles exist alongside modern tourism. With around 110 indigenous languages, it has one of the highest language densities in the world. The population is predominantly Melanesian, with strong cultural traditions and a largely Christian society.

The economy is largely agriculture based, with around 80% of the population engaged in this sector. Key exports include copra, kava, and beef.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply - Please apply via our website.

For more information or any questions, contact our recruitment team at: volunteer@vsa.org.nz or Kiri Henare Recruitment Advisor via email at khenare@vsa.org.nz if you have any questions