Academic Skills Development Assistant (ASDA) - Univol
Closing Date: 10 August 2025
Category: UniVol
Sub Category: Research and Fellowships
Kia ora, Malo e lelei, Ni sa bula, Talofa lava, Halo, Kia orana, Mauri and warm Pacific greetings,
2025/2026 Graduate Volunteer (UniVol) Programme
Have you recently graduated, or graduating in 2025?
Are you willing to take your knowledge, skills and experience to build capacity in the Pacific?
Are you ready to embrace and fully immerse into Pacific culture?
If you have answered “yes” to all the above questions, then please keep reading as the Volunteer Services Abroad (VSA) - Te Tūao Tāwāhi UniVol Programme is looking for motivated, service-minded and passionate graduates for our 2026 intake!
VSA’s UniVol programme aims to provide new graduates with a unique cultural experience in the Pacific while contributing to existing VSA programmes and improving international development education in New Zealand.
To be eligible for this programme you will need to:
As part of our programme, you’ll receive comprehensive support, including:
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.
VSA connects skilled volunteers with organisations and communities in the Pacific and beyond to support locally identified aspirations and achieve sustainable change.
VSA is New Zealand's largest and most experienced volunteering agency working in international development. We provide skilled volunteers from Aotearoa to support organisations in the Pacific and beyond through capacity building, both in-country and virtually.
Our Partner Organisation-Divine Word University (Rabaul Campus - Kabaleo)
The Divine Word University (DWU), OLSH Kabaleo (formerly known as Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Teachers' College), was founded in 1966.
The Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH) established the College as a female teachers’ training institution to meet the demand for more primary school teachers in Catholic Church-operated schools. In 1995, it became a coeducational teachers' training college.
The College remained under the aegis of the Catholic Archdiocese of Rabaul until 2015. Towards the end of 2015, the College became part of DWU.
The Assignment
A VSA volunteer will take the role of an Academic Skills Development Assistant (ASDA) and will play a vital role in supporting undergraduate student success by helping them develop strong academic skills, digital literacy, and academic English proficiency.
The volunteer role involves close collaboration with students, academic staff, and professional services to deliver academic skills support through a range of methods including one to-one tutorials, group sessions, webinars, and online learning materials.
This role is ideal for someone who is motivated, a self-starter, and passionate about student development, educational equity, and innovative approaches to learning support in higher education.
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.
About You
Essential
At VSA, we value the unique perspectives and cultural capabilities that Māori and Pacific peoples bring to our work. We’re especially eager to welcome candidates who are deeply connected to whānau, community, church, work, or lived experiences that strengthen ties to Māori and Pacific peoples.
If this resonates with you, please highlight your connections, experiences, and cultural strengths in your cover letter and CV—we’d love to hear about how you can make an impact with VSA!
You can apply for up to five (5) UniVol assignments. You do not need to create a separate cover letter for each, however, please state in your cover letter which assignments you are applying for in order of your most preferred assignment.
Apply now for this opportunity through our website www.vsa.org.nz
To review the full assignment description please copy and paste the below link into your browser:
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.
Please note, we cannot guarantee that if you are successful, you will be offered your first preferences.
For more information or if you have any questions, please email univol@vsa.org.nz
2025/2026 Graduate Volunteer (UniVol) Programme
Have you recently graduated, or graduating in 2025?
Are you willing to take your knowledge, skills and experience to build capacity in the Pacific?
Are you ready to embrace and fully immerse into Pacific culture?
If you have answered “yes” to all the above questions, then please keep reading as the Volunteer Services Abroad (VSA) - Te Tūao Tāwāhi UniVol Programme is looking for motivated, service-minded and passionate graduates for our 2026 intake!
VSA’s UniVol programme aims to provide new graduates with a unique cultural experience in the Pacific while contributing to existing VSA programmes and improving international development education in New Zealand.
To be eligible for this programme you will need to:
- Be a New Zealand citizen or Permanent Resident
- Be 30 years old or under
- Have recently graduated, or graduating in 2025, from a New Zealand University.
As part of our programme, you’ll receive comprehensive support, including:
- Fully covered travel expenses – no need to worry about flights or transport costs
- Accommodation provided – your home away from home, taken care of
- Living allowance – so you can focus on your mission without financial stress and more!
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.
VSA connects skilled volunteers with organisations and communities in the Pacific and beyond to support locally identified aspirations and achieve sustainable change.
VSA is New Zealand's largest and most experienced volunteering agency working in international development. We provide skilled volunteers from Aotearoa to support organisations in the Pacific and beyond through capacity building, both in-country and virtually.
Our Partner Organisation-Divine Word University (Rabaul Campus - Kabaleo)
The Divine Word University (DWU), OLSH Kabaleo (formerly known as Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Teachers' College), was founded in 1966.
The Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH) established the College as a female teachers’ training institution to meet the demand for more primary school teachers in Catholic Church-operated schools. In 1995, it became a coeducational teachers' training college.
The College remained under the aegis of the Catholic Archdiocese of Rabaul until 2015. Towards the end of 2015, the College became part of DWU.
The Assignment
A VSA volunteer will take the role of an Academic Skills Development Assistant (ASDA) and will play a vital role in supporting undergraduate student success by helping them develop strong academic skills, digital literacy, and academic English proficiency.
The volunteer role involves close collaboration with students, academic staff, and professional services to deliver academic skills support through a range of methods including one to-one tutorials, group sessions, webinars, and online learning materials.
This role is ideal for someone who is motivated, a self-starter, and passionate about student development, educational equity, and innovative approaches to learning support in higher education.
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.
About You
Essential
- Demonstrated sound academic research and writing skills.
- Excellent communication skills and an ability to communicate well with staff and trainee teachers.
- Ability to effectively explain concepts or ideas in a clear and understandable way.
- Experience using information and communications technology for academic purposes.
- Ability to help others learn through coaching or mentoring
- Experience visiting or living in one of the Pacific Island countries
At VSA, we value the unique perspectives and cultural capabilities that Māori and Pacific peoples bring to our work. We’re especially eager to welcome candidates who are deeply connected to whānau, community, church, work, or lived experiences that strengthen ties to Māori and Pacific peoples.
If this resonates with you, please highlight your connections, experiences, and cultural strengths in your cover letter and CV—we’d love to hear about how you can make an impact with VSA!
You can apply for up to five (5) UniVol assignments. You do not need to create a separate cover letter for each, however, please state in your cover letter which assignments you are applying for in order of your most preferred assignment.
Apply now for this opportunity through our website www.vsa.org.nz
To review the full assignment description please copy and paste the below link into your browser:
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.
Please note, we cannot guarantee that if you are successful, you will be offered your first preferences.
For more information or if you have any questions, please email univol@vsa.org.nz
We are looking for a volunteer with:
- Volunteer on a 9-10month VSA assignment in Papa New Guinea
- Immerse yourself in a new cultural experience in the Pacific
- A Graduate programme like no other!
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?