Quality Assurance Advisor
Policy, Governance, Monitoring & Evaluation
Closing date: 7/5/2026
Download Job DescriptionApply onlineJob 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 Timor-Leste, by working alongside our local partner organisation. For this assignment we are looking for a volunteer with experience working in the education sector or someone with experience working across all aspects of quality assurance and review all while understanding and sharing the spirit of volunteering, with a keen interest in building capability in the Pacific.
For volunteers deployed in country the VSA provides support by funding and organizing your flights, visas, insurances, accommodation, living allowance and utilities.
Ngā tino Pūkenga/Wheako – Essential skills/experiences for the role:
If you are interested in this opportunity, below are the key skills and experiences that we’re looking for.
- Experience in developing quality assurance policies, procedures, guidelines and tools
- Experience working in a Quality Assurance Agency for Post-School Education and Training/Tertiary/Higher education
- Masters level or higher qualification in the field of Education
- Experience in development and delivering staff training
- Resilient and passionate about Education in developing countries
- Experience in documentation of tertiary education quality management system
- Experience and expertise in curriculum development
Important note
: Due to our VSA funding requirements, our volunteers must be a NZ citizen or NZ Permanent Resident to progress further in our recruitment process.
Our Partner Organisation – National Agency for Academic Assessment and Accreditation (NAAAA):
The National Agency for Academic Assessment and Accreditation (NAAAA) or Agência Nacional para a Avaliação e Acreditação Académica (ANAAA) was established by the Government of Timor-Leste in 2010. The NAAAA is an autonomous agency under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture.
The NAAAA established dynamic partnerships with all the existing higher education institutions, allowing for the assessment of nearly 150 courses and 13 Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in Timor-Leste to take place over a period of a decade long. Some HEIs have made significant progress on Human Resource as well as infrastructure development.
The purpose of the NAAAA is to serve as a quality assurance regulatory agency of higher education through regular academic assessment and accreditation to the Higher Education Institutions in Timor-Leste and their respective cycles of studies. The goal is to guarantee the quality of HEIs in Timor-Leste based on internationally recognized standards and indicators.
The Assignment:
A volunteer on this assignment would rely on their skills in accreditation application as well as working with Quality Assurance Processes, while working with the Director to review Higher Education Management System. Another key focus of the assignment would be supporting Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in developing their leadership skills, designing and implementing curriculum as well as developing their knowledge on quality assurance. More details on the scope of the assignment are covered in the Assignment description
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, contact Struan More via email at smore@vsa.org.nz
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.
