Kia ora, Halo and warm Pacific greetings,
Te Whāinga | Our Purpose is
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:
We are looking for an experienced leader from the hospitality sector 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.
This is a 6-month assignment in Bougainville, primarily based in and around Arawa. Please note the 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:
If you are interested in this opportunity, below are some of the key skills and experiences that we’re looking for:
This is your opportunity to become a VSA Volunteer to share your knowledge, experience and technical expertise. Volunteers on this assignment would be working alongside our local partner organisation to help support a newly developing coffee business.
Our Partner Organisation – Akuron Coffee:
Akuron Coffee was established in March 2023 by husband and wife, Wency and Roselyne Noruka, in Arawa, Central Bougainville. The company is a social enterprise that is driven by a passion for coffee and wanting to improve the livelihoods of local coffee growing communities in Bougainville.
The Assignment:
This assignment is a partnership assignment between VSA, and Akuron Coffee. With the speed at which the business has taken off, Akuron Coffee has not yet had the opportunity to create a solid business strategy, marketing strategy, and a communications strategy. A volunteer on this assignment will help provide support in these areas, to help support the growth of Akuron Coffee.
A strong emphasis will be placed on mentoring, practical skills transfer, collaborative problem-solving, and embedding knowledge and systems within the organisation.The creation of these foundations is crucial for the business to grow sustainably and to realise its goal of working with local growing communities to improve livelihood outcomes.
The Country - Bougainville:
The Autonomous Region of Bougainville, (Otonomos Region bilong Bogenvilin Tok Pisin), previously known as the North Solomons, it is the largest island in the Solomons Island archipelago, situated on the border between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The population is roughly 300,000, with most people living on the largest island, Bougainville Island. Buka Island is over a closed stretch of water. Volunteer Service Abroad has offices in both Arawa (Bougainville Island) and Buka (Buka Island).
Although the region is just over 2,300 square kilometres, the terrain is rugged. This makes travel slow on roads and boats. It is a mountainous region covered in forest and sea, making agriculture and fishing vital to people's lives. The people are resilient, and all are likely to have been personally affected by the civil conflict in the 1990s, but they wish to develop. There are substantial cultural aspects to be considered when living in ARoB, which will be covered in briefings before volunteers depart and upon arrival.
Me pēhea te tuku tono| How to apply:
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification listed, we still want to hear from you.
At VSA, we recognise that transferable skills, adaptability, cross-cultural awareness, relationship-building abilities, and a shared commitment to sustainable development can be just as valuable as specific technical expertise.
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
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:
We are looking for an experienced leader from the hospitality sector 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.
This is a 6-month assignment in Bougainville, primarily based in and around Arawa. Please note the 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:
If you are interested in this opportunity, below are some of the key skills and experiences that we’re looking for:
- Demonstrated experience in business development, commercial operations, marketing, communications, or strategic business advisory services.
- Experience supporting small businesses, social enterprises, cooperatives, or community-based enterprises to strengthen business capability and sustainability.
- Strong understanding of business planning, market development, branding, and stakeholder engagement.
- Ability to work independently, adapt to changing environments, and operate effectively in resource-constrained settings.
- Willingness and ability to live and work in Bougainville and travel locally as required to support assignment activities.
This is your opportunity to become a VSA Volunteer to share your knowledge, experience and technical expertise. Volunteers on this assignment would be working alongside our local partner organisation to help support a newly developing coffee business.
Our Partner Organisation – Akuron Coffee:
Akuron Coffee was established in March 2023 by husband and wife, Wency and Roselyne Noruka, in Arawa, Central Bougainville. The company is a social enterprise that is driven by a passion for coffee and wanting to improve the livelihoods of local coffee growing communities in Bougainville.
The Assignment:
This assignment is a partnership assignment between VSA, and Akuron Coffee. With the speed at which the business has taken off, Akuron Coffee has not yet had the opportunity to create a solid business strategy, marketing strategy, and a communications strategy. A volunteer on this assignment will help provide support in these areas, to help support the growth of Akuron Coffee.
A strong emphasis will be placed on mentoring, practical skills transfer, collaborative problem-solving, and embedding knowledge and systems within the organisation.The creation of these foundations is crucial for the business to grow sustainably and to realise its goal of working with local growing communities to improve livelihood outcomes.
The Country - Bougainville:
The Autonomous Region of Bougainville, (Otonomos Region bilong Bogenvilin Tok Pisin), previously known as the North Solomons, it is the largest island in the Solomons Island archipelago, situated on the border between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The population is roughly 300,000, with most people living on the largest island, Bougainville Island. Buka Island is over a closed stretch of water. Volunteer Service Abroad has offices in both Arawa (Bougainville Island) and Buka (Buka Island).
Although the region is just over 2,300 square kilometres, the terrain is rugged. This makes travel slow on roads and boats. It is a mountainous region covered in forest and sea, making agriculture and fishing vital to people's lives. The people are resilient, and all are likely to have been personally affected by the civil conflict in the 1990s, but they wish to develop. There are substantial cultural aspects to be considered when living in ARoB, which will be covered in briefings before volunteers depart and upon arrival.
Me pēhea te tuku tono| How to apply:
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification listed, we still want to hear from you.
At VSA, we recognise that transferable skills, adaptability, cross-cultural awareness, relationship-building abilities, and a shared commitment to sustainable development can be just as valuable as specific technical expertise.
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:
- Volunteer assignment based in Arawa, Bougainville
- Amazing opportunity to share your professional skills in a unique environment
- Flights, accommodation and living allowance 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?