Climate Change and Climate Finance Advisor
Conservation
Closing date: 3/2/2026
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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 Timor-Leste.
We are looking for someone with a broad range of experience across environmental planning, climate change, finance, research and analysis. All the while also sharing the spirit of volunteering with a keen interest in building capability in the Pacific.
This assignment is set to run for 12 months and would primarily be based in Dili. Please note the VSA would support a volunteer selected for this assignment by funding and organizing flights, visas, insurances, accommodation, living allowance and utilities for the duration of a deployment.
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.
A minimum of five years of full-time work experience in climate finance, development finance or related fields.
- Strong research and analysis skills
- Experience in developing and delivering training or mentoring.
- Strong writing and presentation skills
- A master's degree in a relevant field (e.g. finance, environmental studies)
- Experience working on climate change issues related to land rights/loss and damage
Our Partner Organisation – OXFAM:
For over 40 years during times of crisis, recovery and change, Oxfam has supported the people of Timor-Leste in their journey towards a more prosperous and equal Timor-Leste. Oxfam works with over 20 partners in Timor Leste to improve the well-being of rural women and men through work across three pillars: Livelihoods, Resilience and Inclusive Development.
The Assignment:
While Timor-Leste is accessing significant amounts of climate finance, marginalised groups have not been able to access and be impacted by climate finance include access to new loss and damage fund adequately, equitably and optimally. Alongside this, there are very few CSO’s looking at climate financing, or familiar with what climate financing is.
There is a need to ensure that climate financing is going where it needs to go, supporting those most vulnerable and marginalised. Oxfam in Timor-Leste is currently in its fourth year of implementing a five year Kōtui programme funded through (New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade) and is strengthening the capacity of CSO’s for locating, analysing and tracking climate finance in line with the AFAI methodology, which are new areas for our Timor-Leste partners, and this assignment will support increased knowledge on this issue through delivery of training, assistance with research and analysis and supporting Oxfam in Timor-Leste on climate finance project.
A volunteer on this assignment would be training and mentoring the staff and partners of Oxfam Timor-Leste in the Climate Finance team. While deployed on this assignment the volunteer would be reporting directly to the Climate Finance Manager and will be accountable to the Program Director and Country Director of OXFAM Timor-Leste.
The Country – Timor-Leste :
There are 1,225,000 people living in Timor-Leste (formerly known as East Timor). Timor-Leste is one of the world's newest nations and the newest in Southeast Asia with history of colonisation and occupation.
Timor-Leste became independent in 2002, after it suffered a violent history through decades of struggle for independence from Indonesia. As a young nation, Timor-Leste is moving from a post-conflict fragile state to quickly transition as a developing resilient nation.
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 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.
