FAQs

Volunteering with VSA

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What is VSA?

A: VSA is a home-grown Kiwi volunteering organisation that in 50 years has sent more than 3,500 volunteers to work with communities striving for change throughout the Pacific, Asia and Africa. We now send volunteers on long and short-term assignments to share their skills with our neighbours in the wider Pacific focusing our efforts in Melanesia, Polynesia and Timor-Leste.

Our staff build relationships with partner organisations (government agencies and non-governmental organisations) and work with them to identify their priority development needs. This ensures all our assignments are designed in partnership and are locally identified, locally relevant, and locally delivered.

Where do VSA volunteers work?

A: VSA volunteers currently work in 11 countries in Melanesia, Polynesia, Asia and Africa. However, following a recent decision to focus our work in the wider Pacific region, we are now recruiting for assignments in Papua New Guinea (including Bougainville), Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tokelau, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati and Timor-Leste.

Our approach is to cluster assignments and volunteers together in a carefully selected group of countries, rather than to scatter volunteers over a large area.

What we're doing

Can I choose which country I go to?

A: We recruit volunteers for specific assignments, not countries. However, there is nothing preventing prospective volunteers from limiting their applications to positions in a single country or region, providing it is one of the countries listed above, where we have a programme.

What skills and experience do I need?

A: Our partner organisations are looking for skilled volunteers with recent, relevant experience in their specialist field. In most instances, volunteers will also have a recognised professional, trade, or commercial qualification, and at least two to three years working experience. We recruit volunteers from a range of backgrounds, including education, business, tourism, IT, management, engineering, communications, fundraising, health, community workers and natural resources.

Demand for skills can vary, so check the current volunteer vacancies page for up-to-date information about your skills area.

Our staff work with partner organisations to identify the requirements of each assignment, including the skills, knowledge and qualifications needed to do the job.

Young New Zealanders, aged 18 to 28, can apply via VSA for Restless Development (formerly Students Partnership Worldwide) – a youth-led development agency. Prior experience is not needed. These programmes are self-funded. Students enrolled with Otago University’s Geography Department or with Victoria University’s Development Studies Department may be eligible to apply for VSA’s UniVol programme.

What type of person will VSA be looking for?

A: Obviously all volunteers must have the skills and experience to carry out the professional goals of the assignment, and to meet the partner organisation's requirements. However, VSA will also be looking for people with the necessary personal attributes such as flexibility and tenacity to adjust to what will be a major change in every aspect of your life. They need to be adaptable and realistic, to have the interpersonal skills to share skills with their work colleagues and the community. They need to be resilient and positive.

Who will I work for?

A: All volunteers work for a local organisation identified by our in-country field staff. These partner organisations include government agencies, NGOs (non-government organisations), community-based organisations, training institutions and small local businesses.

The partner organisation initiates the assignment by contacting VSA and requesting a volunteer. VSA will not be your employer.

How long would I go for?

A: VSA is an organisation which is involved in long-term development. Most assignments are for two years but we also have short-term assignments that last from between two weeks to six months. Young volunteers can also apply for Restless Development for eight month assignments. Students enrolled with Otago University’s Geography Department or with Victoria University’s Development Studies Department may be eligible to apply for ten month assignments through VSA’s UniVol programme.

How can I apply for a volunteer assignment?

A: You can apply for a vacancy directly on our website (www.vsa.org.nz). Please note: you will need to download, fill in and submit an application form. You can also email your application to volunteer@vsa.org.nz or post it to us. If you don’t find anything suitable, you can register your interest with us. We will place you on our prospects database and let you know when a suitable assignment becomes available.

Current Vacancies

How does the selection process work?

A: Once you apply for a specific VSA assignment, the initial selection process is much like that of any other employer. Candidates with suitable qualifications and experience are shortlisted for interviews. Forms will be sent to the four people you nominate as referees. You will be asked to attend a two-day interview process in Wellington (VSA will pay for your travel costs). You will be given information about VSA, about volunteering, and about the assignment, and will attend two separate interviews.

If you are selected for an assignment you will be required to attend a four-day briefing course in Wellington.
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Do I have to be a New Zealander?

A: You must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident. Preferably, you will have lived in New Zealand for at least two years. You must have right of re-entry to New Zealand during the period of your VSA assignment, and after you return.

Are there any age restrictions?

A: The requirement for volunteers to have a couple of years' work experience and relevant qualifications means it is unusual to send anyone under the age of 25. For insurance purposes the upper age limit is 75. Prospective volunteers between the ages of 18 and 28 may want to consider the opportunities available with Restless Development. Students aged 26 and under who are enrolled with Otago University’s Geography Department or with Victoria University’s Development Studies Department may be eligible to apply for VSA’s UniVol programme.

Can I take my partner?

A: For our long-term assignments, we regularly place couples overseas. However, for short-term assignments this is not possible. With long-term assignments, the accompanying partner will often find voluntary work in the local community. Occasionally assignments may be available for both partners in the same location. Accompanying partners must also complete an application form and go through VSA’s selection and briefing process.

Can I take my children?

A: No, unfortunately we do not have volunteering opportunities for families with children.

What financial support will I receive?

A: As a VSA volunteer you don't receive a salary. However, you do receive a living allowance which is adequate to support a modest lifestyle, covering food, local travel, communication, and other costs. It will not stretch to cover luxuries, and you will not be able to save large amounts of money or meet financial commitments at home, such as mortgage repayments. You will receive free accommodation plus initial respite and resettlement grants. VSA will provide return flights and arrange visas and permits. VSA also provides comprehensive insurance cover.

Do I need to fundraise?

A: It costs money to send volunteers overseas, so we ask all volunteers to raise at least $2,000 for VSA before beginning their assignments. Accompanying partners are asked to raise the same amount. Fundraising is not compulsory, but it is strongly encouraged. Every dollar raised is used to keep our programmes in action and support future volunteers. Fundraising also helps promote VSA’s work.

Download our fundraising pack

Am I still eligible for National Superannuation while I am away?

A: Volunteers receiving New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's pension who are on assignment with VSA can continue to receive this pension for up to three years (156 weeks) while they are away. We will write a letter to Work and Income on your behalf. You must be in New Zealand when you apply for National Superannuation.

Will I need to speak the local language?

A: VSA provides basic language tuition during the in-country orientation programme, and we strongly encourage all volunteers to learn the local language. Even the most basic language skills can help enrich your cross-cultural experience and reduce the frustration of being an outsider. In some cases, you will not be able to carry out your assignment without a good grasp of the local language.

What if I have a health condition?

A: If you have a pre-existing health condition that can be well managed, you can probably still become a VSA volunteer. It is important that you tell us about your condition so that we are able to provide you with accurate information about relevant issues and any limitations that it might place on your assignment. All volunteers undergo a full medical examination before they are placed in the field.

What if I become sick while I'm away
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A: It is important to VSA that volunteers remain healthy on assignment. All our volunteers undertake a comprehensive medical check-up and attend a medical briefing by our medical advisor, as part of their pre-departure briefing course. VSA has a comprehensive insurance policy which includes medical insurance. In a medical emergency, VSA works with an agency that can organise 24-hour assistance, including evacuation if necessary to the nearest suitable hospital.

What do VSA volunteers get from their experience?

A: Many of our returned volunteers say that the experience has been a life-changing one. They value the opportunity to learn about themselves and another country, to take on a challenge and meet it, to contribute in a way that is worthwhile and meaningful, to "give something back", to do something adventurous and interesting, and to gain new skills and new friends.

How can I support VSA if I do not want to be a volunteer?

A: There are a number of ways you can make a difference by supporting VSA. Choose which suits you best.

VSAfuture – Join our regular giving programme and help VSA plan for the future and meet the needs of the communities we support.

Payroll giving – Feel extra good on paydays. Nominate VSA as your chosen charity, and make a regular donation direct from your pay. You’ll receive an immediate tax credit of 33⅓ cents for each dollar.

Donate now – There’s no time like the present. Make a donation to support VSA volunteers working with communities in the Pacific, Asia and Africa.

VSA membership - As a member you can have a say in the direction of VSA by attending our annual congress, standing for election on our Council, or voting for Council members.

How can I request a volunteer to work in my organisation?

A: VSA is currently recruiting volunteers for partner organisations working in the wider Pacific area. See “Where do VSA volunteers work" for a list of these countries. If you are an organisation working in one of these countries, you can contact us and your request will be forwarded to the appropriate staff member in our International Programmes Unit.

Contact us

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