Horticulture Specialist
Closing Date: 12 July 2025
Category: Agriculture & Horticultural Sustainability
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 the Solomon Islands. Work alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all.
We are looking for an experienced horticulturist or someone with green thumbs and the right level of transferrable skills, who understands and shares the spirit of volunteering, with a keen interest in building capability in the Pacific.
The length of this assignment in the Solomon Islands 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.
About our Partner Organisation | Solo Enviro Beautification (SEB)
Solo Enviro Beautification (SEB) is a pioneering organisation dedicated to enhancing the environmental landscape of Honiara, Solomon Islands. As the only organisation in the country equipped to tackle the challenge of creating and maintaining a green city, SEB plays a critical role in beautifying the urban environment for both residents and tourists. SEB’s medium-sized nursery features a diverse range of plants and trees, supporting its large-scale landscaping projects, such as those undertaken to beautify Honiara for the 2023 Pacific Games.
With a team of approximately 30 gardeners and casual staff, along with seven administrative and security personnel, SEB is committed to delivering high-quality landscape designs and maintaining a well-managed nursery. By partnering with skilled professionals, SEB aims to further strengthen its operations, ensuring sustainable and impactful improvements to Honiara’s green spaces.
The Assignment:
This assignment focuses on supporting Solo Enviro Beautification (SEB) to improve the management and operations of their nursery in Honiara, Solomon Islands. As the volunteer Nursery Operations Manager, you will work closely with nursery staff to enhance their skills in plant care, transplanting, stock management, and daily upkeep of plants. Through mentoring, training, and capacity-building, the volunteer will help implement efficient nursery practices, ensuring SEB can consistently meet the demand for high-quality plants and trees for large-scale landscaping projects.
The role involves reviewing current nursery operations, identifying areas for improvement, and providing practical recommendations to optimise processes. By developing and delivering training materials and offering hands-on guidance, the volunteer will empower SEB staff to confidently manage the nursery. This support will contribute to SEB's mission of creating a greener, more beautiful Honiara for the benefit of both residents and visitors.
The Country – The Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands has over 900 islands, 5,000 rural villages and 550,000 people. Between 1999 and 2003 it experienced a period of conflict which took a heavy toll on the country and left a need for reconciliation and on-going peace and security measures.
A request for assistance by the government in 2003 led Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific Island countries to form the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) which restored peace and security.
VSA has established a strong presence in Solomon Islands through its ongoing partnerships with multiple in-country partners, including strong relationships with Solomon Islands Government.
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:
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 the Solomon Islands. Work alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all.
We are looking for an experienced horticulturist or someone with green thumbs and the right level of transferrable skills, who understands and shares the spirit of volunteering, with a keen interest in building capability in the Pacific.
The length of this assignment in the Solomon Islands 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.
- Qualification in agriculture, horticulture or similar field
- 3+ years' experience working as a Nursery manager or other similar role.
- Experience in plant production, soil, fertilizers and growing techniques
- Outstanding communication skills
About our Partner Organisation | Solo Enviro Beautification (SEB)
Solo Enviro Beautification (SEB) is a pioneering organisation dedicated to enhancing the environmental landscape of Honiara, Solomon Islands. As the only organisation in the country equipped to tackle the challenge of creating and maintaining a green city, SEB plays a critical role in beautifying the urban environment for both residents and tourists. SEB’s medium-sized nursery features a diverse range of plants and trees, supporting its large-scale landscaping projects, such as those undertaken to beautify Honiara for the 2023 Pacific Games.
With a team of approximately 30 gardeners and casual staff, along with seven administrative and security personnel, SEB is committed to delivering high-quality landscape designs and maintaining a well-managed nursery. By partnering with skilled professionals, SEB aims to further strengthen its operations, ensuring sustainable and impactful improvements to Honiara’s green spaces.
The Assignment:
This assignment focuses on supporting Solo Enviro Beautification (SEB) to improve the management and operations of their nursery in Honiara, Solomon Islands. As the volunteer Nursery Operations Manager, you will work closely with nursery staff to enhance their skills in plant care, transplanting, stock management, and daily upkeep of plants. Through mentoring, training, and capacity-building, the volunteer will help implement efficient nursery practices, ensuring SEB can consistently meet the demand for high-quality plants and trees for large-scale landscaping projects.
The role involves reviewing current nursery operations, identifying areas for improvement, and providing practical recommendations to optimise processes. By developing and delivering training materials and offering hands-on guidance, the volunteer will empower SEB staff to confidently manage the nursery. This support will contribute to SEB's mission of creating a greener, more beautiful Honiara for the benefit of both residents and visitors.
The Country – The Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands has over 900 islands, 5,000 rural villages and 550,000 people. Between 1999 and 2003 it experienced a period of conflict which took a heavy toll on the country and left a need for reconciliation and on-going peace and security measures.
A request for assistance by the government in 2003 led Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific Island countries to form the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) which restored peace and security.
VSA has established a strong presence in Solomon Islands through its ongoing partnerships with multiple in-country partners, including strong relationships with Solomon Islands Government.
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:
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:
- 12-month Volunteer assignment based in Honiara
- Make a lasting impact by mentoring staff and enhancing nursery operations
- Flights, accommodation and living allowance provided by VSA
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?