Clinical Psychologist
Healthcare & Medical
Closing date: 10/21/2026
Download Job DescriptionApply onlineJob description
Kia ora, Kia Orana and warm Pacific greetings
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 across 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 and use your clinical psychology expertise to strengthen mental health services in the Cook Islands.
We are seeking an experienced Clinical Psychologist to work alongside Te Marae Ora - Ministry of Health in Rarotonga.
In this role, you'll support the delivery of behavioural-based mental health assessment and treatment services while strengthening local capability through mentoring, supervision, training, and service development. Working alongside the Mental Health Unit, you'll help build sustainable systems and services that improve wellbeing outcomes for Cook Islands communities.
This assignment is for 12 months and is based in Rarotonga, Cook Islands .
VSA provides support by funding and organising flights, visas, insurance, accommodation, living allowance, and utilities for the duration of your assignment.
He aha ai te tūao ki VSA? | Why Volunteer with VSA? This is more than a volunteer assignment. It's an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution while gaining a truly unique life experience.
As a VSA Volunteer you'll receive:
- Flights to and from the Cook Islands
- Furnished accommodation
- Living allowance and utilities
- Comprehensive insurance cover
- Visa support
- Professional and personal support throughout your assignment
- Opportunities to develop your cross-cultural and international development experience
- The chance to live and work alongside local communities while contributing to sustainable change
Ngā tino Pūkenga me ngā Wheako | Essential Skills and Experience If you're interested in this opportunity, here are some of the key skills and experiences we're looking for:
- Registered Clinical Psychologist
- Experience providing psychological assessment and therapeutic interventions
- Experience working with a broad range of mental health presentations
- Strong mentoring, coaching, supervision, or workforce development skills
- Experience working within multidisciplinary healthcare teams
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- Ability to work collaboratively across cultures and diverse environments
- Commitment to knowledge sharing, capacity building, and sustainable development
- Adaptable, resilient, and solutions-focused approach
Experience in community mental health, Indigenous health, rural health, or resource-constrained settings would be highly regarded.
Mō tō mātou Hoa Mahi | Our Partner Organisation
Te Marae Ora - Ministry of Health is the primary healthcare provider in the Cook Islands and is responsible for setting national health policy and delivering health services across the country.
The Mental Health Unit provides support to individuals and families with a wide range of mental health needs, including anxiety, depression, psychosis, perinatal mental health concerns, and dementia. Services are provided both in hospital settings and within the community.
As mental health services continue to develop nationwide, there is a strong focus on workforce development, service integration, and increasing access to specialised support.
Te Tūnga | The Assignment
The goal of this assignment is to strengthen behavioural-based mental health assessment and treatment services while supporting workforce capability and service development within the Mental Health Unit.
Working alongside local counterparts, you will:
- Deliver behavioural-based mental health assessments and interventions
- Provide mentoring, supervision, and professional support to Mental Health Unit staff
- Co-facilitate education and training programmes
- Support service improvement initiatives and identify opportunities for growth
- Strengthen support for neurodivergent individuals and their families
- Support the development of perinatal mental health services
- Contribute to mental health services for people within the prison system
- Explore opportunities to strengthen services in the Pa Enua (outer islands)
- Build relationships with health providers, community organisations, and stakeholders
- Promote culturally responsive and community-centred approaches to wellbeing
A key focus of this role is capability building. You'll work alongside local staff to transfer knowledge, strengthen skills, and support sustainable outcomes that continue beyond the life of the assignment.
Te Whenua | The Country
The Cook Islands is renowned for its breathtaking lagoons, strong cultural traditions, welcoming communities, and relaxed island lifestyle.
Based in Rarotonga, you'll have the opportunity to experience life in a vibrant Pacific nation while working alongside dedicated health professionals committed to improving mental health outcomes for their communities.
Living and working in the Cook Islands offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a different culture, build meaningful relationships, and contribute to locally led development outcomes.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification listed, we still want to hear from you.
At VSA, we recognise that transferable skills, adaptability, cultural awareness, relationship-building abilities, and a commitment to sustainable development can be just as valuable as specific technical expertise.
Please apply for this opportunity through our website at www.vsa.org.nz .
For more information, or if you have any questions about this assignment, please contact our Recruitment Advisor Kiri Henare at khenare@vsa.org.nz .
Please note: Due to VSA funding requirements, applicants must be New Zealand citizens or New Zealand permanent residents to progress through our recruitment process.
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.
