Monitoring Evaluation and Digital Data Systems Advisor

Kia ora, Halo 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 Bougainville. Work alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all.

We are looking for an experienced Monitoring, Evaluation and Digital Systems 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).

The length of this assignment in Bougainville will be 9 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.

• At least three years' experience in monitoring and evaluation, digital data systems, information management or a related technical field.
• Proven ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative data and translate findings into clear reports and insights
• Ability to work independently, problem-solve and manage tasks in environments with limited resources or infrastructure.
• Experience training, mentoring or coaching staff with varying levels of technical literacy.

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.

The Assignment*To strengthen learning, accountability and evidence-based decision-making, these organisations are seeking to enhance their Monitoring, Evaluation and Digital Data Systems (MEDDS). Several partners have therefore requested an experienced MEDDS Advisor to help design, implement and strengthen monitoring, evaluation and database systems that improve data management, reporting quality and long-term organisational capacity across Bougainville.Through VSA's support, a volunteer will assist partners to design and implement practical monitoring and evaluation systems, build local capacity and foster a culture of continuous improvement in monitoring, learning and evidence-based storytelling.One organisation ready to host a VSA volunteer is the Inclusive Education Resource Centre (IERC) Buka, part of the Callan Services network. IERC is seeking a Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) Advisor to strengthen its monitoring, evaluation and digital data systems. The Advisor will mentor and train staff to collect, manage and analyse data more effectively, and will help design a practical digital database suited to Bougainville's local conditions. The focus is on mentoring, collaboration and skills transfer, ensuring that IERC staff can independently manage and adapt these systems beyond the assignment period.Success will be achieved when, by the end of the assignment, IERC has a sustainable, context-appropriate digital database and monitoring system; skilled and confident staff who can collect, analyse, and report high-quality data; and strengthened organisational capacity to plan, monitor, and evaluate programmes effectively and independently.

It is anticipated that the Advisor may also provide limited technical assistance to other VSA partner organisations if time permits.

Our Partner Organisation – Callan Services for Persons with DisabilitiesCallan Services for Persons with Disabilities (CSPD) is Papua New Guinea's largest faith-based, community-driven network providing comprehensive services to children and adults with disabilities. As a national, cross-disability organisation, CSPD leads a strong movement for inclusion, rights and empowerment, guided by the core values of Respect, Presence, Compassion and Justice. Grounded in faith, CSPD remains deeply committed to building communities where every person, regardless of ability, can learn, live and thrive.

CSPD delivers integrated support across education, community-based rehabilitation and health services, enabling persons with disabilities to participate fully in social, academic and economic life. At the same time, it equips teachers, caregivers and health workers with the knowledge and skills required to provide inclusive and effective support within their communities.

Operating through a national network of Inclusive Education Resource Centres (IERCs) and specialised programmes, CSPD responds to the diverse needs of persons with all types of disability. The Inclusive Education Resource Centre in Buka, Bougainville, exemplifies this mission by offering early learning opportunities for children under six—both with and without disabilities—preparing them for a smooth transition into mainstream elementary schooling. The Centre works closely with the Autonomous Bougainville Government, parents and local schools to promote inclusive education and equal opportunities throughout the region.

The Country - Bougainville

The Autonomous Region of Bougainville, (Otonomos Region bilong Bogenvilin Tok Pisin), previously known as the North Solomons, it is the largest island in the Solomons Island archipelago, situated on the border between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. 

The population is roughly 300,000 (as of 2023), with most people living on the largest island, Bougainville Island. Buka Island is over a close stretch of water. Volunteer Service Abroad has offices in both Arawa (Bougainville Island) and Buka (Buka Island).  

Although the region is just over 2,300 square kilometres, the terrain is rugged. This makes travel slow on roads and boats. It is a mountainous region covered in forest and sea, making agriculture and fishing vital to people's lives.  

The people are resilient, and all are likely to have been personally affected by the civil conflict in the 1990s, but they wish to develop. There are substantial cultural aspects to be considered when living in ARoB, which will be covered in briefings before volunteers depart and upon arrival.  

VSA has been active in Bougainville for over 25 years. We started in the year 1998 with a programme focusing on response and reconstruction post-crisis.

As part of the New Zealand government's commitment to delivering a 'peace dividend', we set up our field office in Arawa (the conflict zone in the 90s).

VSA volunteers have since been deployed in Buka, Buin, Nissan, Selau-Suir, Tinputz, and Wakunai districts to name a few. Today, our volunteers work alongside the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) across various community development, education, and health departments, along with local and international NGOs in Bougainville. Together, we aim to build an overall sustainable Bougainville community.  

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