Organisational Development and Administration Assistant - Univol
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 get involved in developing capability and capacity across a number of key areas. As this assignment is a part of our Univol programme, it is one of ten assignments we will be aiming to deploy to in early 2027. This assignment will be working across a youth programme seeking ways to support and enhance youth development in Apia, Samoa. Our Partner and Assignment Summary: For this assignment we have partnered with Samoa Victim Support Group Incorporated (SVSG). SVSG is a non-government, non-profit organisation established in 2005 in Samoa to provide essential support services for victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and other forms of crime. It was founded in response to the lack of formal support systems for survivors and has since become a leading organisation in victim protection and social services. SVSG’s vision is to care for children, support victims of crime, and uplift vulnerable people, ensuring survivors have access to safety, dignity, justice, and pathways to recovery. Its work is guided by a survivor-centred and human rights-based approach. The organisation provides a wide range of integrated services, including 24/7 crisis support and helplines, emergency shelter at the Campus of Hope, counselling and psychosocial support, case management, legal and police assistance, education and rehabilitation programmes, and community outreach and prevention initiatives. On this assignment a UniVol volunteer would be deployed to Samoa early in 2027 to help support the team as they work through organisational strengthening, with a focus on development and improvement of core governance, administrative, and case management systems. Key projects a volunteer could be working on could be around developing Annual Plans, a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning framework, reviewing outdated policies and case management forms, and supporting a review of a structured filing system and database. Overall, the assignment aims to strengthen organisational foundations so that SVSG can continue delivering effective, timely, and high-quality support to victims of crime and vulnerable communities across Samoa. About Samoa: The volunteer will be based at the Samoa Victim Support Group Incorporated (SVSG) office, located in central Apia. The office is strategically situated next to the Apia Police Station and opposite the New Zealand High Commission Office, providing a secure and accessible working environment. It is also approximately a 7-minute drive or a 15–20-minute walk from Coxon’s Apartments, offering convenient access to nearby accommodation and city amenities. The surrounding area is a central business district with easy access to transport, shops, and essential services. The location is generally considered safe, with nearby government and diplomatic offices contributing to a secure environment.
Skills we are seeking: We believe that for a volunteer to succeed on this assignment they would need a number of key skills. This would be an assignment that would require a strong attention to detail, understanding of systems and how these could be developed, record management, organizational awareness and general administrative skills. On top of all this outstanding communication skills would be a must as well, both in connecting with the target audience but also someone who can learn different languages quickly. Willingness to learn Samoan will be key to a volunteer having a positive experience on assignment. This assignment would be well suited to a volunteer with an academic background in Business Administration, Management, Public administration or Community 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.
