Volunteer Service Abroad

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. 

Your Gateway to Global Impact and International Development!

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 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. 

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. 

About the Assignment (Samoa)-  The VSA UniVol will provide assistance to support and strengthen the extensive work in the Civil Litigation and Opinions Division of the Office of the Attorney General.

The VSA volunteer will work as a Legal Research Assistant and will be based with the Civil Litigation team and will conduct legal research on a variety of Civil Litigation matters. Special focus will be research findings on specialised legal matters and legal opinions that required the Office legal opinion within specified timeframes.

The volunteer will be able to share findings from thorough research on specific Civil Litigation matters and case laws, which will assist the team significantly in preparing legal documents and reports to support the legal services provided by the Office of the Attorney General.

About the Assignment - (Solomons Islands)
In this assignment a VSA volunteer will provide support to the Judges of the High Court - National Judiciary with legal research. 

There is an online database with national and Pacific statutes, case law, verdicts, cases and references that can be used, access to Court files, and the National Judiciary library.

The VSA volunteer will conduct research to high quality and ensure that reference materials are filed and are accessible for future use on similar cases, they will also support judges by drafting legal documents that include memos,
rulings and other documents. 

About You 
Essential

• Bachelor's degree in law.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Prior experience in legal research or related field is preferred but not required.

Desirable

• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Prior experience in legal research.

Apply Now!  
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!

Apply now for this opportunity through our website www.vsa.org.nz  
 
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