Capacity Development 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 Capacity Development Advisor (Primary Industry) 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.

• Qualification in public policy, public administration, agricultural economics, development studies, organisational management, information systems, or a related field.
• Experience supporting government agencies, ministries, or institutions in policy development, systems strengthening, or organisational capacity building.
• Designing and implementing frameworks, strategies, or processes in agriculture, fisheries, or natural resource management.
• Conducting institutional reviews, stakeholder mapping, and needs assessments in policy or organisational contexts.

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 –  Department of Primary Industries & Marine Resources

The Department of Primary Industries & Marine Resources (DPI) is the lead agency of the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), responsible for agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fisheries across the region. Its mandate is to drive economic growth, strengthen food and nutrition security, and promote sustainable livelihoods through effective management of Bougainville's primary industries.DPI's vision is "a self-reliant, sustainable, competitive, and inclusive primary industry sector that drives economic growth and contributes to improved livelihoods and food and nutrition security." Its mission is "to facilitate sustainable resource management and economic growth through research and development, institutional development, and effective extension services."

The Department works closely with smallholder farmers, producer groups, cooperatives, and private sector partners to improve commodity value chains such as cocoa, copra, and fresh produce, while also supporting responsible development of fisheries and sustainable forestry. In doing so, DPI not only addresses economic growth but also helps build resilience against climate change and food insecurity.

The Assignment

This assignment aims to strengthen the capacity of the Department of Primary Industries & Marine Resources (DPI) to develop and implement key regulatory frameworks, systems, policies, and processes that define its post-drawdown roles. This includes new agricultural and livestock acts, standards, guidelines, and sector strategies, with the ultimate goal of enabling DPI to deliver effective agricultural and fisheries services that support sustainable livelihoods, improve food security, and foster inclusive economic growth in Bougainville.

The volunteer will work alongside DPI staff and key stakeholders to identify capacity gaps and support the development of context-relevant solutions. These will include frameworks, regulations, systems, policies, processes, and standards designed to strengthen and sustain Bougainville's primary industry sectors. By sharing knowledge, skills, and good practice, the assignment will help DPI enhance the capacity and capabilities of its human resources, expand support to farmers, improve value chains, and strengthen food security across Bougainville.

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

Applications close on: 21st November 2025

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.