Community Nutrition Adviser

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 the Solomon Islands. Work alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all.

We are looking for an experienced researcher 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. This will be a 12 month assignment based in the Western Provinces of the Solomon Islands.

VSA will provide support 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:

• Undergraduate qualification in nutrition and diet

• At least three years' experience in community nutrition programs

• Understanding of community engagement, networking and participation

• At least two years' experience in development and review of nutrition guidelines, policies and procedures 

Our Partner Organisation - Gizo Hospital:

Gizo Hospital is the main healthcare centre in Western Province. Its operations are overseen by the Western Provincial Health Services. It is a public hospital located in Gizo town centre. The hospital was established after World War II by missionaries and volunteers and has grown over the years.

Gizo Hospital offers services to both inpatients and outpatients. It has 60 beds and offers emergency, surgical, medical, laboratory, and public health services for people living in Gizo and surrounding islands. It is a referral hospital and receives patients from the rest of Western Province. The hospital has about 200 nurses, 10 doctors and about 60 administration and support staff.

The Assignment:

A VSA volunteer would be working to support the mentoring staff and community leaders in community nutrition to build a strong team capable of tackling malnutrition, improving maternal and child health, and reducing NCDs.

The volunteer could work alongside staff to develop training materials and invest in mentorship programs to ensure long-term sustainability and improved health outcomes for communities.

The Country – The Solomon Islands:

The Solomon Islands has over 900 islands, 5,000 rural villages and 550,000 people. Between 1999 and 2003 it experienced a period of conflict which took a heavy toll on the country and left a need for reconciliation and on-going peace and security measures.

A request for assistance by the government in 2003 led Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific Island countries to form the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) which restored peace and security.

VSA has established a strong presence in Solomon Islands through its ongoing partnerships with multiple in-country partners, including strong relationships with Solomon Islands Government. 

Me pēhea te tuku tono| How to apply: Please apply for this opportunity through our website. For more information or if you have any questions on this assignment, you are welcome to email our recruitment team at: Noting that due to our VSA funding requirements, our volunteers must be a NZ citizen or NZ Permanent Resident to progress further in our recruitment process.