Database Developer Advisor - Volunteer in Papua New Guinea
Closing Date: 04 July 2025
Category: ICT
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 Database Developer 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 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.
Our Partner Organisation – Archdiocese of Rabaul
The Archdiocese of Rabaul, based at Vunapope in Kokopo, East New Britain, Papua New Guinea (PNG), plays a crucial role in providing healthcare, education, and social support in a region where these services are limited. Recognising the lack of access to essential services in PNG, the Archdiocese actively works to bridge this gap for the local population. It manages St. Mary’s Hospital in Kokopo, along with schools and educational programmes that foster both academic and personal growth. In addition to its pastoral care, the Archdiocese leads social outreach initiatives, particularly in rural and remote areas, addressing key issues such as poverty, health, and education.
The Archdiocese oversees multiple parishes, schools, and healthcare facilities, each generating significant volumes of data related to sacramental records, parish membership, clergy assignments, and administrative activities. Although the Archdiocese currently lacks a centralised database, it recognises the need for one to streamline data management processes, ensure data integrity, and improve administrative efficiency across its parishes and dioceses.
The Assignment
We are seeking a skilled Database Developer to design, develop, and implement a centralised database system to manage parish records, demographic data, sacramental records, and other essential church information. This role will be instrumental in streamlining data management processes, safeguarding data integrity, and improving administrative efficiency across multiple parishes and dioceses.
You will provide technical expertise in the design and implementation of the database system, based on the specified functional requirements. You will also work closely with AoR parishes, communities, and other relevant stakeholders to understand their data management, analytical, and reporting needs through a consultative and collaborative approach.
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:
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 Database Developer 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 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.
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Database
- Management, or a related field.
- 3+ years of experience in database development, management, or software engineering.
- Strong knowledge of relational database systems, data security, and user interface design.
- Familiarity with web-based applications and API integration.
- Experience in data security, encryption, and compliance with data protection regulation.
Our Partner Organisation – Archdiocese of Rabaul
The Archdiocese of Rabaul, based at Vunapope in Kokopo, East New Britain, Papua New Guinea (PNG), plays a crucial role in providing healthcare, education, and social support in a region where these services are limited. Recognising the lack of access to essential services in PNG, the Archdiocese actively works to bridge this gap for the local population. It manages St. Mary’s Hospital in Kokopo, along with schools and educational programmes that foster both academic and personal growth. In addition to its pastoral care, the Archdiocese leads social outreach initiatives, particularly in rural and remote areas, addressing key issues such as poverty, health, and education.
The Archdiocese oversees multiple parishes, schools, and healthcare facilities, each generating significant volumes of data related to sacramental records, parish membership, clergy assignments, and administrative activities. Although the Archdiocese currently lacks a centralised database, it recognises the need for one to streamline data management processes, ensure data integrity, and improve administrative efficiency across its parishes and dioceses.
The Assignment
We are seeking a skilled Database Developer to design, develop, and implement a centralised database system to manage parish records, demographic data, sacramental records, and other essential church information. This role will be instrumental in streamlining data management processes, safeguarding data integrity, and improving administrative efficiency across multiple parishes and dioceses.
You will provide technical expertise in the design and implementation of the database system, based on the specified functional requirements. You will also work closely with AoR parishes, communities, and other relevant stakeholders to understand their data management, analytical, and reporting needs through a consultative and collaborative approach.
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:
We are looking for a volunteer with:
- Full time 6-month Volunteering opportunity in Kokopo, Papua New Guinea.
- Flights, accommodation and living expenses funded 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?