AutoCAD Engineering Adviser | Volunteer Service Abroad/Te Tūao Tāwāhi

Job description

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 the Solomon Islands. We are looking for an experienced engineer or technical expert who understands and shares the spirit of volunteering, with a keen interest in building capability in the Pacific. This assignment is projected to run for 12 months and will primarily be based in Honiara.

Please note that the VSA will support a volunteer on this assignment by funding and organizing flights, visas, insurances, accommodation, living allowance and utilities for the duration of the 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.

Advanced skills and or qualification in AutoCAD and other engineering design software
At least three years planning experience, preferably infrastructure
Familiarity with Microsoft suite (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).
Experience coaching and mentoring others in a work environment

Our Partner Organisation: Solomon Islands Water Authority:

Solomon Islands Water Authority (SIWA) is a state-owned enterprise established in 1993 under the Solomon Islands Water Authority Act. In August 2024 the Solomon Islands Government, through the Cabinet, removed Solomon Water from being a state-owned enterprise. In line with its legal mandate, the state company provides essential services in the areas of water and wastewater and plays a big role in the delivery of these services. At present, Solomon Water operates in Honiara, Auki, Noro and Tulagi but the company anticipates an expansion of its services to Gizo in the Western Province and other provincial centres soon. The mission of Solomon Water is to provide reliable and safe water supply and sewerage services within its area of operations in Solomon Islands, while working in partnership with communities to plan, deliver and operate infrastructure in a manner that seeks to minimise the social and environmental impacts of its activities The Assignment: A VSA volunteer is being sought to work alongside staff in the Project Management Unit (PMU) to support capacity development. Ideally this support would allow SIWA to produce drawings in line with international standards and best practice. The volunteer and staff will work together to ensure that skills learned will result in accurate drawing sets, provide standard design updates and produce simple design for in house completed construction or works to go to contract. A volunteer on this assignment will be reporting directly to the Head of the PMU for SIWA. On a day-to-day basis, the volunteer will predominately work with the PMU Engineers, Property Team, Technical and Operational staff. The Country – The Solomon Islands: The Solomon Islands has over 900 islands, 5,000 rural villages and 550,000 people. Between 1999 and 2003 it experienced a period of conflict which took a heavy toll on the country and left a need for reconciliation and on-going peace and security measures. A request for assistance by the government in 2003 led Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific Island countries to form the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) which restored peace and security. VSA has established a strong presence in Solomon Islands through its ongoing partnerships with multiple in-country partners, including strong relationships with Solomon Islands Government. 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, you are welcome to email our recruitment team at: volunteer@vsa.org.nz. Noting that 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

Flights

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.

Insurance

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.

Accommodation

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.

Living allowance

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.

Pre-departure training

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

In-country support

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?

Understand the recruitment process

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.

Participate in the briefing course

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.

Be adaptable and resilient

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.

Manage health and safety

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.

Engage in fundraising efforts

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.

Complete necessary documentation

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.