Kia ora, Halo and warm Pacific greetings
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 Bougainville. Work alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all.
We are looking for an experienced Physiotherapist 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 Bougainville 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.
Our Partner Organisation - Inclusive Education Resource Centre (Callan Services)
The Inclusive Education Resource Centre in Buka, part of Callan Services Papua New Guinea, is the leading provider of disability services in Bougainville, working under the motto "leave no one behind." In partnership with the Catholic Church and Papua New Guinea's Department of Education, the Buka team is dedicated to outreach, identifying and supporting individuals with disabilities to become valued community members. Guided by a human-rights based approach, Callan Services ensures equal access and inclusion for all.
The Assignment:
This assignment is a partnership assignment between VSA, and the Inclusive Education Resource Centre (Callan Services).
Callan Services in Bougainville seeks an experienced physiotherapist with a passion for mentoring and community-based services to support their expanding outreach programme.
Alongside hearing and vision services, Callan offers physiotherapy support, which they aim to strengthen by enhancing staff knowledge in assessment, rehabilitation exercises, and assistive device usage. Working with a village volunteer model, the role involves capacity building with local staff and offers opportunities to assist in organisational, administrative, and data management improvements, ultimately helping Callan Services deliver more effective, inclusive support across Bougainville.
The Country - Bougainville
The Autonomous Region of Bougainville, (Otonomos Region bilong Bogenvilin Tok Pisin), previously known as the North Solomons, it is the largest island in the Solomons Island archipelago, situated on the border between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
The population is roughly 300,000 (as of 2023), with most people living on the largest island, Bougainville Island. Buka Island is over a close stretch of water. Volunteer Service Abroad has offices in both Arawa (Bougainville Island) and Buka (Buka Island).
Although the region is just over 2,300 square kilometres, the terrain is rugged. This makes travel slow on roads and boats. It is a mountainous region covered in forest and sea, making agriculture and fishing vital to people's lives.
The people are resilient, and all are likely to have been personally affected by the civil conflict in the 1990s, but they wish to develop. There are substantial cultural aspects to be considered when living in ARoB, which will be covered in briefings before volunteers depart and upon arrival.
VSA has been active in Bougainville for over 25 years. We started in the year 1998 with a programme focusing on response and reconstruction post-crisis.
As part of the New Zealand government’s commitment to delivering a ‘peace dividend’, we set up our field office in Arawa (the conflict zone in the 90s).
VSA volunteers have since been deployed in Buka, Buin, Nissan, Selau-Suir, Tinputz, and Wakunai districts to name a few. Today, our volunteers work alongside the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) across various community development, education, and health departments, along with local and international NGOs in Bougainville. Together, we aim to build an overall sustainable Bougainville community.
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 volunteer@vsa.org.nz.
To review the full assignment description please copy and paste the below link into your browser:
Applications close on: 26 June 2025
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.
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 Bougainville. Work alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all.
We are looking for an experienced Physiotherapist 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 Bougainville 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.
- Tertiary Qualification in Physiotherapy
- Current or previous registration with the Physiotherapy Board of NZ
- Knowledge of assessing and creating rehabilitation plans for patients.
- Experience of working collaboratively in a cross-cultural setting
- Proven experience leading and supporting coaching and mentoring.
Our Partner Organisation - Inclusive Education Resource Centre (Callan Services)
The Inclusive Education Resource Centre in Buka, part of Callan Services Papua New Guinea, is the leading provider of disability services in Bougainville, working under the motto "leave no one behind." In partnership with the Catholic Church and Papua New Guinea's Department of Education, the Buka team is dedicated to outreach, identifying and supporting individuals with disabilities to become valued community members. Guided by a human-rights based approach, Callan Services ensures equal access and inclusion for all.
The Assignment:
This assignment is a partnership assignment between VSA, and the Inclusive Education Resource Centre (Callan Services).
Callan Services in Bougainville seeks an experienced physiotherapist with a passion for mentoring and community-based services to support their expanding outreach programme.
Alongside hearing and vision services, Callan offers physiotherapy support, which they aim to strengthen by enhancing staff knowledge in assessment, rehabilitation exercises, and assistive device usage. Working with a village volunteer model, the role involves capacity building with local staff and offers opportunities to assist in organisational, administrative, and data management improvements, ultimately helping Callan Services deliver more effective, inclusive support across Bougainville.
The Country - Bougainville
The Autonomous Region of Bougainville, (Otonomos Region bilong Bogenvilin Tok Pisin), previously known as the North Solomons, it is the largest island in the Solomons Island archipelago, situated on the border between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
The population is roughly 300,000 (as of 2023), with most people living on the largest island, Bougainville Island. Buka Island is over a close stretch of water. Volunteer Service Abroad has offices in both Arawa (Bougainville Island) and Buka (Buka Island).
Although the region is just over 2,300 square kilometres, the terrain is rugged. This makes travel slow on roads and boats. It is a mountainous region covered in forest and sea, making agriculture and fishing vital to people's lives.
The people are resilient, and all are likely to have been personally affected by the civil conflict in the 1990s, but they wish to develop. There are substantial cultural aspects to be considered when living in ARoB, which will be covered in briefings before volunteers depart and upon arrival.
VSA has been active in Bougainville for over 25 years. We started in the year 1998 with a programme focusing on response and reconstruction post-crisis.
As part of the New Zealand government’s commitment to delivering a ‘peace dividend’, we set up our field office in Arawa (the conflict zone in the 90s).
VSA volunteers have since been deployed in Buka, Buin, Nissan, Selau-Suir, Tinputz, and Wakunai districts to name a few. Today, our volunteers work alongside the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) across various community development, education, and health departments, along with local and international NGOs in Bougainville. Together, we aim to build an overall sustainable Bougainville community.
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 volunteer@vsa.org.nz.
To review the full assignment description please copy and paste the below link into your browser:
Applications close on: 26 June 2025
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.
We are looking for a volunteer with:
- Volunteer with VSA to support inclusive care in Bougainville
- Flights, accommodation and other living expenses funded by VSA
- Transform lives by empowering communities with shared skills and knowledge.
VSA covers flights, accommodation, insurance and some expenses. A living allowance is also provided.
Does volunteering with one of the largest and most experienced agency in international development interest you?