AutoCAD Engineering Adviser
Closing Date: 25 March 2026
Category: Engineering & Built Environment
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. We are looking for an experienced engineer or technical expert who understands and shares the spirit of volunteering, with a keen interest in building capability in the Pacific. This assignment is projected to run for 12 months and will primarily be based in Honiara.
Please note that the VSA will support a volunteer on this assignment by funding and organizing flights, visas, insurances, accommodation, living allowance and utilities for the duration of the 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.
Our Partner Organisation: Solomon Islands Water Authority:
Solomon Islands Water Authority (SIWA) is a state-owned enterprise established in 1993 under the Solomon Islands Water Authority Act. In August 2024 the Solomon Islands Government, through the Cabinet, removed Solomon Water from being a state-owned enterprise. In line with its legal mandate, the state company provides essential services in the areas of water and wastewater and plays a big role in the delivery of these services. At present, Solomon Water operates in Honiara, Auki, Noro and Tulagi but the company anticipates an expansion of its services to Gizo in the Western Province and other provincial centres soon.
The mission of Solomon Water is to provide reliable and safe water supply and sewerage services within its area of operations in Solomon Islands, while working in partnership with communities to plan, deliver and operate infrastructure in a manner that seeks to minimise the social and environmental impacts of its activities
The Assignment:
A VSA volunteer is being sought to work alongside staff in the Project Management Unit (PMU) to support capacity development. Ideally this support would allow SIWA to produce drawings in line with international standards and best practice. The volunteer and staff will work together to ensure that skills learned will result in accurate drawing sets, provide standard design updates and produce simple design for in house completed construction or works to go to contract.
A volunteer on this assignment will be reporting directly to the Head of the PMU for SIWA. On a day-to-day basis, the volunteer will predominately work with the PMU Engineers, Property Team, Technical and Operational staff.
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: volunteer@vsa.org.nz. 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.
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. We are looking for an experienced engineer or technical expert who understands and shares the spirit of volunteering, with a keen interest in building capability in the Pacific. This assignment is projected to run for 12 months and will primarily be based in Honiara.
Please note that the VSA will support a volunteer on this assignment by funding and organizing flights, visas, insurances, accommodation, living allowance and utilities for the duration of the 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.
- Advanced skills and or qualification in AutoCAD and other engineering design software
- At least three years planning experience, preferably infrastructure
- Familiarity with Microsoft suite (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).
- Experience coaching and mentoring others in a work environment
Our Partner Organisation: Solomon Islands Water Authority:
Solomon Islands Water Authority (SIWA) is a state-owned enterprise established in 1993 under the Solomon Islands Water Authority Act. In August 2024 the Solomon Islands Government, through the Cabinet, removed Solomon Water from being a state-owned enterprise. In line with its legal mandate, the state company provides essential services in the areas of water and wastewater and plays a big role in the delivery of these services. At present, Solomon Water operates in Honiara, Auki, Noro and Tulagi but the company anticipates an expansion of its services to Gizo in the Western Province and other provincial centres soon.
The mission of Solomon Water is to provide reliable and safe water supply and sewerage services within its area of operations in Solomon Islands, while working in partnership with communities to plan, deliver and operate infrastructure in a manner that seeks to minimise the social and environmental impacts of its activities
The Assignment:
A VSA volunteer is being sought to work alongside staff in the Project Management Unit (PMU) to support capacity development. Ideally this support would allow SIWA to produce drawings in line with international standards and best practice. The volunteer and staff will work together to ensure that skills learned will result in accurate drawing sets, provide standard design updates and produce simple design for in house completed construction or works to go to contract.
A volunteer on this assignment will be reporting directly to the Head of the PMU for SIWA. On a day-to-day basis, the volunteer will predominately work with the PMU Engineers, Property Team, Technical and Operational staff.
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: volunteer@vsa.org.nz. 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.
We are looking for a volunteer with:
- Bring your knowledge and experience to the Solomon Islands !
- 12-month volunteer assignment based in Honiara
- Flights, accommodation, and living expenses funded by VSA
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?