Nurse Learning Advisor
Healthcare & Medical
Closing date: 11/25/2025
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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 and share your experience, skills and knowledge to serve and capacity build in Bougainville Work alongside our local partner organisation to create a fair future for all. VSA will support you by funding and organising your flights, visas, insurances, accommodation, living allowance and utilities while you are on assignment. If you’re an experienced Nurse Trainer or have the right level of transferrable skills; and you’re looking for an opportunity to build capability in the wider Pacific (while enjoying an extraordinary cultural experience), then this could be the role for you!
This assignment is a partnership assignment between VSA, and the Bougainville College of Nursing (formerly the Arawa School of Nursing). In this assignment a skilled VSA Volunteer is required to assist tutors with building their confidence and capacity to plan, deliver, and improve the standard of their teaching delivery.
The College is committed to fostering a strong learning environment, and to ensure that graduates are high-quality registered nurses.
A key element of realising this vision is through the quality of the teaching tutors. In 2023, the College received a new teaching curriculum that was developed by an Australian University. While the College’s tutors are knowledgeable in nursing skills and theory, many have not undertaken formal training on how to teach a curriculum, nor have they received support on the newly implemented curriculum.
Our Partner Organisation - Bougainville College of Nursing
The Bougainville College of Nursing is the main nursing education provider in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. Located in Arawa, Central Bougainville, the College is situated on the grounds of the Arawa Health Centre.
The College is a high-quality institution, that produces valued health professionals for Bougainville. Under strong management, it is continuing to lift the standard of nursing in Bougainville, which is a vital component of strengthening the health system.
In 2023, the College opened a new teaching facility, and ongoing improvements have been made to the student accommodation.
VSA has been working with the College since 2017, with volunteers placed in roles supporting management, finance, and administration. Ngā tino Pūkenga/Wheako – Essential skills/experiences for the role
Are you someone who wants to make a difference, have a sense of adventure and like the challenge of being outside your comfort zone? VSA Volunteers are technical experts who impart their skills and knowledge to the local community. You will need to be flexible, adaptable, resourceful, resilient with a passion for Aotearoa and the wider Pacific community. We're looking for a volunteer with the following:
- Experience in an education or teaching role within the health sector
- Experience in delivering nursing or health training
- Experience in a capacity building, mentoring, and/or coaching role
Desirable:
- Clinical experience as a nurse or health practitioner
- Management experience in a health setting
- Experience working in a developing country
- Experience working in the Pacific, or with Pacific communities
The Country
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 (as of 2023), with most people living on the largest island, Bougainville Island. Buka Island is over a close 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.
VSA has been active in Bougainville for over 25 years. We started in the year 1998 with a programme focusing on response and reconstruction post-crisis. As part of the New Zealand government’s commitment to delivering a ‘peace dividend’, we set up our field office in Arawa (the conflict zone in the 90s). VSA volunteers have since been deployed in Buka, Buin, Nissan, Selau-Suir, Tinputz, and Wakunai districts to name a few. Today, our volunteers work alongside the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) across various community development, education, and health departments, along with local and international NGOs in Bougaunville. Together, we aim to build an overall sustainable Bougainville community.
Apply Now! Apply for this amazing opportunity through our website. For more information on this assignment, email volunteer@vsa.org.nz
Applications Close the 26th November 2025
What’s included
Included when you join us
VSA organises and fully funds return economy-class international flights between New Zealand and your host country, plus any approved domestic travel connected to your assignment.
You’re covered under VSA’s comprehensive travel and medical insurance policy, which also includes emergency evacuation and personal belongings coverage. Before departure, you’ll receive full information on what’s covered and how to access support.
VSA arranges and funds safe, furnished accommodation throughout your assignment, whether you're in a capital or rural location. A housing checklist ensures your needs are met for comfort and security.
You’ll receive a modest monthly living allowance, paid into a local bank account, designed to cover essentials like food, transport, and utilities. This is in line with VSA’s cost-of-living support for volunteers.
Before you leave, VSA provides a multi-day residential briefing in Wellington, fully funded by VSA. This includes cultural orientation, language training, health and safety guidelines, and logistical preparation to get you deployment-ready
From your first day on assignment, you’ll have strong in-country support from VSA staff, Programme Managers and Coordinators, who provide orientation, security briefings, pastoral care, and ongoing assistance throughout your placement.
Preparation
How to prepare?
Be prepared for a comprehensive recruitment journey. This includes initial screening, background checks, and two interviews, one of which is a panel interview with a subject matter expert. Only after successfully completing these steps will you receive a provisional offer and begin the onboarding process. It’s essential to wait for VSA’s confirmation before making significant life changes, such as resigning from your job or selling property, as there may be delays in immigration or medical clearances.
Once accepted, you'll be invited to attend a multi-day residential briefing in Wellington. This course equips you with tools for success, covering cultural orientation, safety protocols, health preparation, and assignment logistics. It’s also a great opportunity to connect with other outgoing volunteers.
Volunteering abroad can be both deeply rewarding and personally challenging. Conditions may be unfamiliar, and change is often constant. Bring flexibility, a sense of humour, and a willingness to learn from others, you’ll grow alongside the community you’re there to support.
You’ll need to complete a health screening and ensure all required vaccinations are up to date. VSA provides medical and travel insurance, but you are also responsible for managing your day-to-day wellbeing. Think about how you'll maintain mental and physical health while overseas.
VSA asks volunteers to become ambassadors for the kaupapa. You will be asked to fundraise $1,000 to support the programme and raise awareness about your assignment. We provide resources and guidance to help you share your story and connect your networks with the impact of your work.
The platform we ask you to use is Raisely.
From visa applications to police checks and health forms, there are a few critical administrative tasks before departure. Our team will guide you through the steps to make sure everything is completed on time and with ease.
