Environment Adviser
Closing Date: 16 August 2025
Category: Policy, Governance, Monitoring & Evaluation
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. Working alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all. This will be a 12-month assignment based in Gizo and the western provinces.
We are looking for an environmental specialist with experience in policy development 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.
The 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 – Western Provincial Government
The Western Provincial Government (WPG) has been operating since 1978 when the country became independent. The province has its own Provincial Government Administration head by a Clerk. The role of the WPG is to develop the province, particularly rural areas. Planning is an important part of the WPG’s activities as this helps to ensure that development occurs in a considered manner.
The Environment Division works alongside other stakeholders who are part of an environment network. The division is working with communities to respond to the impacts of climate change. The 2023 ward profile survey indicated that communities across the province have observed changes in weather patterns, sea level rise, and other environmental changes that they attribute to climate change
The Assignment:
A VSA volunteer is being sought to work with the Environment Division to review the environmental and climate change data collected in the 2023 ward profile survey and to set up a programme to develop appropriate policy responses for sustainable resource management and climate change responses. The volunteer will also support the Environment Officer to review the existing ordinances relating to environment, research and culture and set up a system for regulatory requirements to be coordinated.
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:
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. Working alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all. This will be a 12-month assignment based in Gizo and the western provinces.
We are looking for an environmental specialist with experience in policy development 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.
The 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.
- Qualifications in environmental sciences or other related fields
- At least two years working experience in policy development, environmental planning, or other relevant fields.
- Outstanding report writing skills
Our Partner Organisation – Western Provincial Government
The Western Provincial Government (WPG) has been operating since 1978 when the country became independent. The province has its own Provincial Government Administration head by a Clerk. The role of the WPG is to develop the province, particularly rural areas. Planning is an important part of the WPG’s activities as this helps to ensure that development occurs in a considered manner.
The Environment Division works alongside other stakeholders who are part of an environment network. The division is working with communities to respond to the impacts of climate change. The 2023 ward profile survey indicated that communities across the province have observed changes in weather patterns, sea level rise, and other environmental changes that they attribute to climate change
The Assignment:
A VSA volunteer is being sought to work with the Environment Division to review the environmental and climate change data collected in the 2023 ward profile survey and to set up a programme to develop appropriate policy responses for sustainable resource management and climate change responses. The volunteer will also support the Environment Officer to review the existing ordinances relating to environment, research and culture and set up a system for regulatory requirements to be coordinated.
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:
We are looking for a volunteer with:
- Bring your knowledge of environmental policy to the Solomon Islands
- 12 Month Volunteer Assignment with the Western Provincial Government
- Flights, accommodation and living expenses provided.
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?