Mushroom Cultivation & Production Trainer
Closing Date: 27 September 2025
Category: Agriculture & Horticultural Sustainability
Kia ora, Gude 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 Papua New Guinea. Work alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all.
We are looking for an experienced mushroom grower 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).
The length of this assignment in the Papua New Guinea will be 4-6 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.
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 - Filiae Maria Imakulata (FMI) of Vunapope
The FMI Sisters is the first indigenous religious Order of the Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea.
The FMI Sisters’ rich tapestry of selfless service, rectitude and commitment to the welfare of women in particular and wider society, in general, began over 100 years ago. Since its inception in 1912, the FMI Sisters have stood the test of time, weathered a series of storms and demonstrated a steadfast resolve to support women and communities in pursuit of a better society.
Even the disruptive forces of the Second World War failed to dim their indomitable spirit of faith in God or suppress their courage and commitment to serve humanity with fidelity.
In January 1942 when the Japanese invaded New Britain, the FMI Sisters “risked their lives to help save hundreds of Australian and European missionaries and civilian detainees who were held captive by the Japanese for three and a half years”.
Today, the FMI Sisters remain active in their mission of supporting women in
building leadership skills, faith-strengthening, advocacy, and addressing communities’ concerns and welfare.
The FMI Sisters’ persistent tradition of serving women and families can be seen in the establishment of the first women's refuge (Couppe Meri/Women Safe House) in East New Britain.
The Assignment
This assignment is a partnership assignment between VSA and Filae Maria Imakulata (FMI) of Vunapope.
In this assignment a VSA Volunteer that is an experienced mushroom production trainer is needed by the FMI Sisters to lead and assist in designing, developing, and delivering training related to mushroom cultivation and production, and to provide support and build capacity alongside the FMI Sisters
The Country – Papua New Guinea
Most people living in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are Melanesian, but some are Micronesian or Polynesian. PNG has over 800 known languages although there are three official languages: Tok Pisin, English, and Hiri Motu. Numerous indigenous languages are still used by people from a society that ranges from traditional village-based life to modern urban living.
Underlying the Papua New Guinean culture is the wantok system. Wantok, or ‘one talk’, refers to the people who speak your language or your extended family/clan; a Papua New Guinean’s primary loyalty will be to their wantok.
The country is predominately Christian, with indigenous faith and spirituality still important to many locals.
The people of Papua New Guinea are famously warm and hospitable and the isolated mountain ranges are often home to unique fauna and flora found nowhere else in the world.
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:
If you are on the VSA website, please click on the download assignment description tab above.
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 Papua New Guinea. Work alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all.
We are looking for an experienced mushroom grower 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).
The length of this assignment in the Papua New Guinea will be 4-6 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.
- Minimum of three years of practical experience in mushroom cultivation.
- Demonstrated ability to design and deliver effective training sessions.
- In-depth knowledge of different mushroom varieties and cultivation techniques.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.
- Flexibility and adaptability in a complex and ambiguous environment.
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 - Filiae Maria Imakulata (FMI) of Vunapope
The FMI Sisters is the first indigenous religious Order of the Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea.
The FMI Sisters’ rich tapestry of selfless service, rectitude and commitment to the welfare of women in particular and wider society, in general, began over 100 years ago. Since its inception in 1912, the FMI Sisters have stood the test of time, weathered a series of storms and demonstrated a steadfast resolve to support women and communities in pursuit of a better society.
Even the disruptive forces of the Second World War failed to dim their indomitable spirit of faith in God or suppress their courage and commitment to serve humanity with fidelity.
In January 1942 when the Japanese invaded New Britain, the FMI Sisters “risked their lives to help save hundreds of Australian and European missionaries and civilian detainees who were held captive by the Japanese for three and a half years”.
Today, the FMI Sisters remain active in their mission of supporting women in
building leadership skills, faith-strengthening, advocacy, and addressing communities’ concerns and welfare.
The FMI Sisters’ persistent tradition of serving women and families can be seen in the establishment of the first women's refuge (Couppe Meri/Women Safe House) in East New Britain.
The Assignment
This assignment is a partnership assignment between VSA and Filae Maria Imakulata (FMI) of Vunapope.
In this assignment a VSA Volunteer that is an experienced mushroom production trainer is needed by the FMI Sisters to lead and assist in designing, developing, and delivering training related to mushroom cultivation and production, and to provide support and build capacity alongside the FMI Sisters
The Country – Papua New Guinea
Most people living in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are Melanesian, but some are Micronesian or Polynesian. PNG has over 800 known languages although there are three official languages: Tok Pisin, English, and Hiri Motu. Numerous indigenous languages are still used by people from a society that ranges from traditional village-based life to modern urban living.
Underlying the Papua New Guinean culture is the wantok system. Wantok, or ‘one talk’, refers to the people who speak your language or your extended family/clan; a Papua New Guinean’s primary loyalty will be to their wantok.
The country is predominately Christian, with indigenous faith and spirituality still important to many locals.
The people of Papua New Guinea are famously warm and hospitable and the isolated mountain ranges are often home to unique fauna and flora found nowhere else in the world.
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:
If you are on the VSA website, please click on the download assignment description tab above.
We are looking for a volunteer with:
- 4-6 months volunteering opportunity in Papua New Guinea
- Flight, accommodation and other expenses covered by VSA
- Make a lasting difference across the Pacific
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?