Business, Governance and Organisational Development Advisor
Closing Date: 18 June 2025
Category: Agriculture & Horticultural Sustainability
Kia ora, Talofa Lava 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 Samoa. Work alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all.
We are looking for an experienced Organisational Development Advisor 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). This will be a blended assignment meaning that the volunteer will be able to contribute to this assignment in Samoa and from New Zealand.
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.
Important note: Due to our VSA funding requirements, our volunteers must be a NZ citizen or NZ Permanent Resident to progress further in our recruitment process.
Our Partner Organisation – Samoa Farmers Association
The Samoa Farmers Association (SFA) was initially established in 2006 as the Samoa Crops Cooperation Association (SCCA). Later, the name of the Association was changed to the Samoa Farmers Association. SFA is Samoa’s largest farmer organisation with over 1000 members, 300 of whom are active members across both Upolu and Savai’i. SFA is a member of the wider Pacific Island Farmers Organisation network (PIFON) and is committed to promoting the welfare and success of the agricultural community.
The Assignment:
The SFA’s core business is about helping commercially orientated smallholder farmers to grow their business, which is achieved by providing access to key services, inputs, and technical expertise. This assignment builds on the initial investment made by VSA and the Tindall Foundation to explore the barriers to farmers' production and identify means to support production.
The SFA is set to establish the farm equipment hire business. It has been identified as an effective and impactful long-term strategy to both support the goals of the organisation, while also creating a revenue stream that can then be invested back into the support provided to farmers. The volunteer on this assignment will be assisting and supporting the SFA in establishing the business and providing mentoring and advice to a working governance group set to lead the initiative in its first year. The volunteer will be an active member of the governance group for the duration of the establishment phase.
The capacity and capability building and strengthening will take place through a variety of activities, both through online interactions and in the field. These include training sessions (with farmers or SFA Board members), hands-on experience in the field, mentoring and working with the working group to complete set tasks, coaching, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the sharing of experiences, best practices (from Samoa and New Zealand), and lessons learned.
The Country – Samoa
Samoa is situated in the South Pacific approximately halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. It sits squarely in the cyclone belt and is highly vulnerable to devastating storms. Around three-quarters of its 195,000 population live on the main island of Upolu; the rest live on the neighbouring island of Savai'i or one of the seven small islets.
The traditional Samoan way, the fa’a Samoa, remains a strong force in Samoan life and politics where family is all-important, and elders are highly respected.
Each village is made up of extended families that are represented on the village council by a chief (matai). The more western-style parliamentary system in Samoa is highly influenced by traditional social systems and the family, civic and political duties performed by the matai at village level. The country is predominantly Christian.
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: 18 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 Samoa. Work alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all.
We are looking for an experienced Organisational Development Advisor 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). This will be a blended assignment meaning that the volunteer will be able to contribute to this assignment in Samoa and from New Zealand.
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.
- Highly experienced in Business, Governance, and Organisational Development.
- Project Management / Coordination experience
- A qualification in Horticulture, Agri-business, or a related field.
- A solid grasp of the agricultural landscape and context in Samoa.
- Relevant work experience in agriculture-related enterprises or projects.
- Ability to provide both online and hands-on coaching and mentoring.
- Experience developing and delivering training programmes in a variety of settings (online / in person, formal and non-formal) and audiences.
- Excellent presentation and communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire.
Important note: Due to our VSA funding requirements, our volunteers must be a NZ citizen or NZ Permanent Resident to progress further in our recruitment process.
Our Partner Organisation – Samoa Farmers Association
The Samoa Farmers Association (SFA) was initially established in 2006 as the Samoa Crops Cooperation Association (SCCA). Later, the name of the Association was changed to the Samoa Farmers Association. SFA is Samoa’s largest farmer organisation with over 1000 members, 300 of whom are active members across both Upolu and Savai’i. SFA is a member of the wider Pacific Island Farmers Organisation network (PIFON) and is committed to promoting the welfare and success of the agricultural community.
The Assignment:
The SFA’s core business is about helping commercially orientated smallholder farmers to grow their business, which is achieved by providing access to key services, inputs, and technical expertise. This assignment builds on the initial investment made by VSA and the Tindall Foundation to explore the barriers to farmers' production and identify means to support production.
The SFA is set to establish the farm equipment hire business. It has been identified as an effective and impactful long-term strategy to both support the goals of the organisation, while also creating a revenue stream that can then be invested back into the support provided to farmers. The volunteer on this assignment will be assisting and supporting the SFA in establishing the business and providing mentoring and advice to a working governance group set to lead the initiative in its first year. The volunteer will be an active member of the governance group for the duration of the establishment phase.
The capacity and capability building and strengthening will take place through a variety of activities, both through online interactions and in the field. These include training sessions (with farmers or SFA Board members), hands-on experience in the field, mentoring and working with the working group to complete set tasks, coaching, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the sharing of experiences, best practices (from Samoa and New Zealand), and lessons learned.
The Country – Samoa
Samoa is situated in the South Pacific approximately halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. It sits squarely in the cyclone belt and is highly vulnerable to devastating storms. Around three-quarters of its 195,000 population live on the main island of Upolu; the rest live on the neighbouring island of Savai'i or one of the seven small islets.
The traditional Samoan way, the fa’a Samoa, remains a strong force in Samoan life and politics where family is all-important, and elders are highly respected.
Each village is made up of extended families that are represented on the village council by a chief (matai). The more western-style parliamentary system in Samoa is highly influenced by traditional social systems and the family, civic and political duties performed by the matai at village level. The country is predominantly Christian.
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: 18 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:
- Bring your skills and experience to support farmers in Samoa
- 12 month blended assignment
- Flights, accommodation and other expenses covered 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?