Counselling Advisor and Trainer (TON 42279)
Closing Date: 24 July 2026
Category: Healthcare & Medical
Kia ora, Malo e lelei 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 Tonga. Work alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all.
We are looking for an experienced Counselling Advisor and Trainer (or a counsellor, psychologist, or mental health professional) 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 Tonga will be 12 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.
Tupou Tertiary Institute (TTI) is a Free Wesleyan Church-owned tertiary institution focused on the mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing of individuals.
TTI provides a positive and enabling environment where students pursue academic excellence, develop leadership potential and gain the skills needed to succeed and make a difference in their communities.
Counselling is a relatively new and developing discipline within Tonga. TTI is seeking support to strengthen its counselling systems, services and teaching capability.
In this role, you will:
The Country – Tonga
The Kingdom of Tonga consists of 176 islands in four major groups, Tongatapu Island group, Ha’apai Island group, Vava’u Island group, and the Niu Island group. These islands form a narrow archipelago extending north from the Tropic of Capricorn.
There are many natural wonders in Tonga, and it is also one of the only places in the world where you can swim with humpback whales.
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 khenare@vsa.org.nz.
Applications close on: 24/07/2026
For a copy of the Assignment Description, please click the apply button which will direct you to the VSA website. You will be able to download a copy from the advertisement.
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 Tonga. Work alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all.
We are looking for an experienced Counselling Advisor and Trainer (or a counsellor, psychologist, or mental health professional) 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 Tonga will be 12 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.
- Experience in counselling, psychology, or a related mental health field
- Experience developing or reviewing policies, procedures, or frameworks
- Ability to train, mentor and build capability in others
- Experience delivering workshops or supporting teaching or training programmes
- Strong relationship-building and communication skills
- Adaptability, resilience and ability to work cross-culturally
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.
Tupou Tertiary Institute (TTI) is a Free Wesleyan Church-owned tertiary institution focused on the mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing of individuals.
TTI provides a positive and enabling environment where students pursue academic excellence, develop leadership potential and gain the skills needed to succeed and make a difference in their communities.
Counselling is a relatively new and developing discipline within Tonga. TTI is seeking support to strengthen its counselling systems, services and teaching capability.
In this role, you will:
- Review and strengthen counselling policies, procedures and ethical frameworks
- Support delivery of counselling services for students and staff
- Train and mentor local staff in counselling skills and good practice
- Contribute to teaching within the counselling programme
- Develop resources and tools to support ongoing service delivery
- Help establish a professional network for counselling and mental health practitioners
The Country – Tonga
The Kingdom of Tonga consists of 176 islands in four major groups, Tongatapu Island group, Ha’apai Island group, Vava’u Island group, and the Niu Island group. These islands form a narrow archipelago extending north from the Tropic of Capricorn.
There are many natural wonders in Tonga, and it is also one of the only places in the world where you can swim with humpback whales.
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 khenare@vsa.org.nz.
Applications close on: 24/07/2026
For a copy of the Assignment Description, please click the apply button which will direct you to the VSA website. You will be able to download a copy from the advertisement.
We are looking for a volunteer with:
- Fully supported volunteer role - flights, accommodation and living allowance
- Make a meaningful impact by strengthening mental health services in Tonga
- Share your expertise while experiencing life and culture 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?