Partnership and Resource Mobilisation Advisor | Volunteer Service Abroad/Te Tūao Tāwāhi

Job description

Te Whāinga | Our Purpose

Te Hono Tangata – Te Huringa Ora

Connecting People – Transforming Lives.

Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) 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

Use your fundraising and partnership expertise to help create sustainable change in Timor-Leste.

This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside CARE International Timor-Leste (CITL) to strengthen their ability to secure sustainable funding and strategic partnerships that support education initiatives and improve opportunities for women and girls across the country.

We're looking for a volunteer with experience in fundraising, business development, donor engagement, or strategic partnerships who is passionate about sharing their skills and building local capability. This is a 12 month assignement

In this role, you will:

Develop and strengthen fundraising and resource mobilisation strategies.
Mentor and coach local staff in proposal development, donor engagement, and stakeholder management.
Build partnerships that help create lasting impact in communities across Timor-Leste.

What VSA offers volunteers As a VSA Volunteer, you'll be supported throughout your assignment with:

Flights, accommodation, insurance, visas, and a living allowance provided by VSA.
Dedicated in-country support from VSA and our local partner organisation.
The opportunity to immerse yourself in Timorese culture while making a meaningful contribution.
Personal and professional growth through an international volunteering experience.

Ngā tino Pūkenga/Wheako | Essential skills and experience We're looking for someone with:

Proven experience developing and implementing fundraising or business development strategies.
Experience preparing successful funding proposals and grant applications for international donors (e.g. DFAT, EU, UN, USAID).
Experience securing partnerships with private sector, donor, or community stakeholders.
Strong relationship-building and negotiation skills.
Experience mentoring, coaching, or building the capability of others.
Ability to work effectively across diverse cultural environments.

Important note: Due to VSA funding requirements, volunteers must be New Zealand citizens or New Zealand Permanent Residents.

Our Partner Organisation | CARE International Timor-Leste CARE International Timor-Leste works to reduce poverty and create sustainable opportunities with a strong focus on advancing gender equality and improving outcomes for women and girls.

Working alongside communities, government agencies, and local organisations, CARE supports initiatives that improve access to education, healthcare, and essential community services throughout Timor-Leste.

The Assignment In this role, you'll support CARE International Timor-Leste to strengthen organisational sustainability through fundraising, resource mobilisation, donor engagement, and strategic partnerships.

A key focus will be helping local teams build the skills and confidence needed to secure future funding opportunities and grow programme impact.

One important stakeholder is Lafaek Learning Media , whose publications support literacy and learning outcomes for children across Timor-Leste. The Lafaek magazines reach schools and communities throughout the country and play an important role in supporting education, particularly in rural areas.

By strengthening CARE's funding and partnership capability, you'll help ensure important initiatives like these continue to benefit communities for years to come.

The Country | Timor-Leste Timor-Leste is one of the world's youngest nations and home to approximately 1.2 million people. Rich in culture, history, and natural beauty, it offers volunteers the opportunity to immerse themselves in a vibrant community while contributing their skills to locally led development initiatives.

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 about this assignment, please contact Kiri Henare at khenare@vsa.org.nz .

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.