Legal Research Assistant - Univol Programme
UniVol
Closing date: 8/1/2026
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Our Objective:
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. Volunteer Services Abroad (VSA) connects volunteers with organisations and communities in the Pacific and beyond to support locally identified aspirations and achieve sustainable change. We are New Zealand's largest and most experienced volunteering agency working in international development, placing over 100 volunteers each year. For the last twenty years the VSA has been operating our Univol programme, a volunteering programme with assignments specifically designed with recent graduates in mind. Each assignment represents an amazing opportunity to develop your skills in enhancing and supporting capability and capacity uplift. For all of our volunteers deployed in country, the VSA provides standard support package that includes international flights at start and end of assignment, in-country accommodation, living allowance to support basic living costs, comprehensive pre-departure preparation through a through recruitment and onboarding process, health and travel insurance as well as ongoing mentoring and support throughout the assignment. The team in the Solomon Islands are looking for three volunteers from the Univol programme to deploy as Legal Research Assistants. Volunteers selected for this assignment would be aiming to deploy to in early 2027. All of the assignments for the Solomon Islands will be focussed on working in the High Courts in Honiara to help support Judges and their teams with legal research. Our Partner and Assignment Summary: For these three assignments we are partnering with The High Court – National Judiciary of the Solomon Islands. The team in country are looking for volunteers to support Judges with legal research. There is an online database with national and Pacific statutes, case law, verdicts, cases and references that can be used, access to Court files, and the National Judiciary library. The volunteers would be conducting timely and accurate legal research to a high standard to then assist the wider team with the drafting of documents including memoranda and rulings. They would also support the development of the judge’s associates in order to improve the long-term support available to the judges in the future. These assignments will build on work of previous Univol assignments as the VSA has a strong and longstanding connection with the team at the High Court. About the Solomon Islands: The Solomon Islands is made up of around 900 different islands with 5,000 rural villages. Between 1999 and 2003 there was 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. Since then The Solomon Islands has become a destination travel spot, with Gizo in particular being known for its marine life and diving scene. Now the VSA has volunteers deployed across all of the Islands ranging from Kolombangara, all the way to Gizo and Honiara. Honiara is the business centre of Solomon Islands and as such is a melting pot for people from all the island groups, it is also one of the main centres that the VSA operates from. The Univol assignments will largely be based in Honiara, but there may be some opportunities to travel within the Solomon Islands over the course of an assignment. The Solomon Islands programme also has a Programme manager and Programme Coordinator based in country to support volunteers over the course of their assignment. Skills we are seeking: We believe that for a volunteer to succeed on this assignment they would need a number of key skills. First and foremost outstanding communication skills, both in the ability to connect with their target audience but also someone who can pick up languages quickly. Willingness to learn Pidgin would be key to a volunteer having a positive experience on assignment. Proven experience and strong skills in research, analysis and presenting information would also be required on this assignment. All VSA assignments are focused on building capability and capacity in country, but they also represent an opportunity for our volunteers to enhance and demonstrate a number of their skills including communication, stakeholder engagement, leadership development, project management, resilience, mentoring and innovation. The Univol programme is also a fairly exclusive one as we only have eleven assignments in this intake. Combining these factors could easily be leveraged to assist a volunteer in exploring a career in a number of fields, including but not limited to Law, Public Policy and international aid or development. Application Instructions: If this opportunity is of interest, please apply through the link below. If you have any questions about this assignment or the Univol programme as a whole you are more than welcome to check in with the Recruitment team via email at volunteer@vsa.org.nz. Please note applications will be closing in early August 2026, so get any applications or queries in prior to that as the team will be assessing applications and queries as they arrive.
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.
