Partnership and Resource Mobilisation Advisor
Youth Engagement & Community Development
Closing date: 7/6/2026
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 fundraising and business development or someone with experience working across all aspects of donor or stakeholder engagement all the 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.
- Proven experience in developing and executing funding strategies for NGOs or social enterprises.
- Expert-level skills in drafting successful concept notes and high value grant proposals for international donors (e.g., DFAT, EU, UN, USAID).
- Experience in identifying and securing private sector partnerships, CSR initiatives, or social investment opportunities.
- Ability to engage and negotiate with high-level representatives from government, corporate, and civil society sectors.
- Demonstrated ability to transfer skills to local staff through formal training and on-the-job coaching.
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 – Care International Timor-Leste (CITL):
CARE International Timor-Leste (CITL) works to end poverty and bring about lasting, sustainable development in Timor-Leste placing special focus on enhancing the roles of women and girls to assure their equality in society. CITL works with communities in Timor-Leste to encourage demand for higher quality education, health care and other community services. Timor-Leste has made great gains in education since Independence in 2002, however low literacy and numeracy and high repetition rates remain a reality for many Timorese. 30% of men and almost 40% of women over the age of 15 are illiterate, while 70% of Grade 1 students and 40% of Grade 2 students cannot read any words in either Tetum or Portuguese.
The Assignment:
On this assignment a VSA volunteer will be working across a number of key focus areas namely: strengthening institutional practises, supporting the shift to a model of more sustainable and strategic partnerships, mentoring local teams in proposal development and stakeholder negotiation and demonstrating best practises in business development with knowledge gained from previous professional working experience in a relevant field. To achieve success on this assignment a volunteer will need to work with and develop relationships with a number of groups and stakeholders, one of the key stakeholders would be Lafaek Learning Media. Currently the four Lafaek magazines are the only reading material that reach all schools, students and communities in the most rural and disadvantaged areas and have become an important supplementary learning material for students, teachers, and communities across the country. These magazines are created in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MOEYS).
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.
