Volunteer with VSA

Change your scene and become a VSA Volunteer and share your experience, knowledge, and skills to transform the lives of many. Work with our partner organisation to create a fair future for all. 
 
VSA will organise and fund, flights, visas, insurance, accommodation, living allowance and utilities while on assignment. 

Please note VSA Volunteers must be a NZ citizen or permanent resident. 

Volunteering with VSA 
Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) is not your typical volunteering agency, we are committed to building sustainable communities across the Pacific. If you’re an experienced Agriculture Garden Advisor, looking for an extraordinary overseas experience in the Pacific to build into your field of expertise – working collaboratively with Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), then read on, as we have an exciting opportunity in store for you!
 
Our Partner Organisation - Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI).
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive,and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. 

GGGI in Kiribati is based within the Ministry of Environment, Land and Agricultural Development. Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is implementing Climate Smart Agriculture for Kiribati (KCSA), a 3-year project funded by Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD). KCSA aims to enhance the adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience, and reduce vulnerability to climate change through introduction of cost-effective technology, educate and build capacity of the target group. The project is mainly focused on supporting communities (home garden training), primary school (school garden training) and private sector (Agribusiness Training) on South Tarawa.

The Assignment

This assignment is a partnership assignment between VSA and Global Green Growth Institute.

In this assignment a VSA volunteer will contribute to the following project goals of KCSA: goals in 2024:

• Build capacity of the Agriculture & Livestock Extension government officers and Ministry of Education (Primary Department) staff through training of trainer approach on modern gardening techniques and basic business management skills. The Ministry staff are expected to support the following:

o Continuation of training and mentoring of the schoolteachers and students - the schoolgarden program requires considerable support to ensure the teachers have adequate knowledge to teach the students on the principles of gardening, and setup gardens to inspire students on the benefits of growing and eating healthy and nutritious food. The initial training was provided in 2023. However, the support should continue in 2024 to ensure the gardens are setup adequately.

o Mentoring of women & youth in communities – the home garden training has concluded in December 2023. However, the gardeners who were trained through the project are still lacking experience and will require frequent inspection and one-to-one coaching from ALD’s Extension officers. Without this support, the women & youth gardeners may face challenges and possible loss of interest to continue gardening.

o Support agribusinesses / entrepreneurs – investment in agriculture sector is not common and often the businesses lack the technical and business skills required to operate a successful business. While KCSA’s training program will provide the fundamental training, however, these agribusinesses will need frequent visits from relevant ministry officials to check on their progress and provide one-to-one guidance to navigate any challenges.

The Volunteer

Are you someone who wants to make a difference, have a sense of adventure and like the challenge of being outside your comfort zone?  VSA Volunteers are technical experts who impart their skills and knowledge to the local community. You will need to be flexible, adaptable, resourceful, resilient with a passion for Aotearoa and the wider Pacific community.

We're looking for a volunteer with the following:

•  A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in the horticulture sector, preferably experience working in the atoll condition.
•  A minimum of 3 years of experience working with communities and   schools (training of teachers & students) to setup horticulture gardens
•  Fluency in written and spoken English.

Desirable: 

• Working experience with schools in the pacific island, especially in the atoll countries with conditions similar to Kiribati.
• Experience in the implementation of capacity development programs at community and primary school level.
• Experience as a coach/mentor for teachers and agriculture extension agents.
• Ability to work with multiple government organizations.
• Require minimum supervision and can work independently.
• Adapt to island lifestyle and can travel to remote places

The Country
The Republic of Kiribati (‘kee-ree-bus’), formerly the Gilbert Islands, is a Micronesian country comprising 32 atolls and one raised phosphate island (Banaba), spread across all 4 of the world's hemispheres.
Kiribati has a population of just under 120,000, half of whom live in the densely populated capital of South Tarawa. The average height of the atolls is just over 2 metres above sea level, making Kiribati highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
  
The mwaneaba (community house) is traditionally the centre of community life where community discussions, council meetings and celebrations occur and important decisions are made.
  
Apply Now!

Apply for this amazing opportunity through our website. For more information on this assignment, email volunteer@vsa.org.nz.

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We are looking for a volunteer with:

• 12-month full time volunteering assignment based in Kiribati
• Flights, accommodation and other expenses covered by VSA
• Unique opportunity to share your skills and make a lasting impact!