Special Education Teacher Adviser
Education & Training
Closing date: 11/27/2025
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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 Samoa. Work alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all.
We are looking for an experienced Special Education Teacher Adviser 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 the Samoa 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:
- Qualified teacher experienced working in special education (BA Teaching or Post Grad in Special Education Adviser or proven experience in Special Ed)
- Experience in training and mentoring teachers and teacher aides
- Experience in developing curriculum materials and resources for children with special needs
- Experience with a range of disabilities including ASD, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, intellectual disabilities and hearing and vision impairments
- Knowledge of the IEP process or goal setting and the ability to model, train, and assist teachers in planning good, relevant SMART goals.
Our Partner Organisation – Loto Taumafai Society for People with Disabilities:
Loto Taumafai Society for People with Disabilities’ mission is to provide access to inclusive, equitable and quality education and support services for all people with disabilities in Samoa.
The teams visit and work with families whose children with disabilities are unable to attend school due to their disabilities as well as any other barriers that may prevent them from attending school. The Loto Taumafai School generally works with children ranging from Year 1 to Year 12. Loto Taumafai Society for People with Disabilities also provides support for a Vocational Unit, which teaches skills in carpentry, carving, and screen printing. In previous years there were also sewing and weaving classes.
The Assignment:
In this assignment the volunteer would be working with teachers to develop the right tools and knowledge to appropriately interact with their students with disabilities, especially when dealing with challenging behaviours, during task transitions and while maintaining on-task behaviour.
Key areas of focus of for this assignment would be in assisting and supporting Loto Taumafai Society for People with Disabilities with teaching training, upskilling and in effectively planning lessons geared more towards a student-centered approach in an interactive learning environment. To accomplish this and deliver the best possible outcomes for the students, the volunteer would be working closely alongside teaching staff (Teachers, teacher aide and Principal) while also maintaining a relationship with the school’s board of management.
The Country – Samoa:
Samoa is situated in the South Pacific approximately halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. It sits squarely in the cyclone belt and is highly vulnerable to devastating storms. Around three-quarters of its 195,000 population live on the main island of Upolu; the rest live on the neighbouring island of Savai'i or one of the seven small islets.
The traditional Samoan way, the fa’a Samoa, remains a strong force in Samoan life and politics where family is all-important, and elders are highly respected.
Each village is made up of extended families that are represented on the village council by a chief (matai). The more western-style parliamentary system in Samoa is highly influenced by traditional social systems and the family, civic and political duties performed by the matai at village level. The country is predominantly Christian.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply:
Please apply for this opportunity through our website. For more information or if you have any questions on this assignment, email or a member of our Recruitment team through volunteer@vsa.org.nz.
Due to our VSA funding requirements, our volunteers must be a NZ citizen or NZ Permanent Resident to progress further in our recruitment process.
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.
