Clinical Dietician Mentor
Healthcare & Medical
Closing date: 2/25/2026
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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 the Solomon Islands. Work alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all.
We are looking for an experienced dietician 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. This will be a 12 month assignment based in the Western Provinces of the Solomon Islands.
VSA will provide support 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.
- An undergraduate degree in dietetics, nutrition or other similar field
- At least three years working as a qualified dietitian
- At least two years’ experience in policy development
- Experience working in food service or catering setting
Our Partner Organisation: Gizo Hospital:
Gizo Hospital is the main healthcare centre in Western Province. It’s operations are overseen by the Western Provincial Health Services. It is a public hospital located in Gizo town centre. The hospital was established after World War II by missionaries and volunteers and has grown over the years.
Gizo Hospital offers services to both inpatients and outpatients. It has 60 beds and offers emergency, surgical, medical, laboratory, and public health services for people living in Gizo and surrounding islands. It is a referral hospital and receives patients from the rest of Western Province. The hospital has about 200 nurses, 10 doctors and about 60 administration and support staff.
The Assignment:
This assignment will be a partnership between Gizo Hospital and the VSA, Volunteers on this assignment will be working towards helping ensure that patients are eating food that supports their dietary requirements and overall health.
The clinical nutrition care process is crucial for managing nutrition-related medical conditions such as undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and non-communicable diseases of patients. However, Gizo hospital lacks clinical nutrition therapy guidelines, standards and protocols. A volunteer is being sought to support the Clinical Dietician to develop guidelines for use by staff involved in patient diet including staff who work in the kitchen.
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. The 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
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.
