Counselling Advisor and Trainer (TON 42279) | Volunteer Service Abroad/Te Tūao Tāwāhi

Job 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 Tonga. Work alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all.

We are looking for an experienced Counselling Advisor and Trainer (or a counsellor, psychologist, or mental health professional) 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 (while embracing a new cultural experience)

The length of this assignment in Tonga will be 12 months .

VSA will support you 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.

Experience in counselling, psychology, or a related mental health field
Experience developing or reviewing policies, procedures, or frameworks
Ability to train, mentor and build capability in others
Experience delivering workshops or supporting teaching or training programmes
Strong relationship-building and communication skills
Adaptability, resilience and ability to work cross-culturally 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 – Tupou Tertiary Institute

Tupou Tertiary Institute (TTI) is a Free Wesleyan Church-owned tertiary institution focused on the mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing of individuals.

TTI provides a positive and enabling environment where students pursue academic excellence, develop leadership potential and gain the skills needed to succeed and make a difference in their communities.

Counselling is a relatively new and developing discipline within Tonga. TTI is seeking support to strengthen its counselling systems, services and teaching capability.

In this role, you will:

Review and strengthen counselling policies, procedures and ethical frameworks
Support delivery of counselling services for students and staff
Train and mentor local staff in counselling skills and good practice
Contribute to teaching within the counselling programme
Develop resources and tools to support ongoing service delivery
Help establish a professional network for counselling and mental health practitioners

This role has a strong focus on capacity building, ensuring counselling services are sustainable beyond the volunteer placement.

The Country – Tonga

The Kingdom of Tonga consists of 176 islands in four major groups, Tongatapu Island group, Ha’apai Island group, Vava’u Island group, and the Niu Island group. These islands form a narrow archipelago extending north from the Tropic of Capricorn.

There are many natural wonders in Tonga, and it is also one of the only places in the world where you can swim with humpback whales.

Me pēhea te tuku tono| How to apply: Apply for this opportunity through our website. For more information or if you have any questions on this assignment, email khenare@vsa.org.nz.

Applications close on: 24/07/2026

For a copy of the Assignment Description, please click the apply button which will direct you to the VSA website. You will be able to download a copy from the advertisement.

What’s included

Included when you join us

Flights

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.

Insurance

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.

Accommodation

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.

Living allowance

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.

Pre-departure training

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

In-country support

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?

Understand the recruitment process

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.

Participate in the briefing course

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.

Be adaptable and resilient

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.

Manage health and safety

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.

Engage in fundraising efforts

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.

Complete necessary documentation

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.