Operations Advisor

Come join us and support our work in preparing and deploying our amazing volunteers to all corners of the Pacific. Use your strong skills in project management, administrative, communication and attention to detail to improve our processes and operations to guarantee a fantastic volunteer experience.

We have one permanent full-time position available.

Ko wai mātou – Who are we 

Te Tūao Tāwāhi - Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) is New Zealand’s largest and most experienced volunteering agency working within international development. We partner with businesses, governments and organisations located here and abroad to send volunteers on overseas assignments. Our volunteers share their skills, experiences, and knowledge directly with local people and communities to make real, sustainable change.  

Our vision for a world with thriving communities, both locally and across the wider Pacific, starts internally with a thriving workplace. At VSA your contribution will be valued as we work, learn, and understand together. Your mahi for VSA can create new opportunities for people that will ripple across communities for generations to come. 

Te āhua o Te Tūrunga – The nature of the position 

Our Operations Advisors play an important role in shaping and managing the volunteer experience. As one of our Operations Advisors, you'll collaborate closely with other team members and teams to lead projects to ensure continuous process, system evaluation, improvement, and implementation. You will also use your great interpersonal skills to confidently speak to and present to our volunteers and support them through all stages of their journey from onboarding to wrap up, where you get to have insightful conversations with volunteers at the end of the assignment about their experience.

Our Operations team is responsible for preparing and supporting our volunteers for their VSA journey and service. As part of the operations team, you will be responsible for leading ongoing business improvement projects, projects like reviewing and updating our Volunteer Contracts.  You will provide a supportive hand to the team’s Operations Coordinators, providing guidance and direction on volunteer logistics and external stakeholder engagement. You will have the joy of working alongside our dedicated overseas staff on the development and review of volunteer assignments and ensuring our volunteers are safe and well.

Ngā tino Pūkenga/Wheako – Essential skills/experiences for the role  

We are seeking someone with keen attention to detail, a process-oriented mindset, and excellent interpersonal and communication skills. You will have proven experience in developing and refining business processes and preferably have experience working in international development or multicultural organisations.  You will bring your problem-solving and project management skills to this role.

As one of our Operations Advisor you will be: 

• Confident in both verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Be self-driven, flexible and take a ‘team first’ approach
• A customer service focused and culturally sensitive individual with the ability to quickly establish trusted and productive working relationships.
• Previous experience in either a development, professional administration, logistics or operational support role.

We are looking for someone that believes in the shared learning achievable through volunteering and embodies manaakitanga.   It would be desirable if they also have personal experience living in a Pacific country and experience as a volunteer. A background in development studies or something similar would also be desirable.

Te tono – How to apply: 

If this role sounds like you, then apply now through Seek.co.nz

Please submit your application with a cover letter and CV, by Sunday 9th February.

Apply Now

The starting salary for this role is currently between $69,213 – $81,427 , depending on skill and experience. This role is based in the Wellington office, with the flexibility to work-from-home up to a couple of days a week, and offers 5 weeks of annual leave.

You can view the job description for this role here.  

If you would like to know more about this role or VSA, or have any questions about applying, please feel free to reach out to us at careers@vsa.org.nz