Volunteer with VSA

Kia ora, Talofa Lava 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 Samoa. Work alongside our local partner organisation to plan and create a brighter future for all.
  
We are looking for an experienced Food Safety professional 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 the Samoa will be 12 months.
VSA will support you by funding and organizing your flights, visas, insurances, accommodation, living allowance and utilities while you are on assignment.
  
  
Our Partner Organisation – Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries 
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) is Samoa’s lead agency for developing a sustainable agriculture and fisheries sector that secures food, nutrition and income for the country. Through national frameworks such as the Agriculture Sector Plan, MAF focuses on boosting local production, strengthening rural livelihoods, and promoting climate‑resilient, environmentally sustainable practices across crops, livestock and fisheries.

The Fisheries Division in Samoa faces several ongoing challenges in reviewing and updating its Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Plans, particularly as international food safety standards and export market access requirements continue to evolve. These challenges reflect both regulatory and operational realities within Samoa’s seafood and fisheries sector, where the need to maintain compliance and ensure quality assurance is becoming more pressing.

The Assignment 
As VSA volunteer you will support and train MAF staff in reviewing and updating HACCP Plans and improving pre-requisite program documentation. This will ensure Samoa’s seafood products meet international standards and maintain access to key export markets.

Success would be evident to:

• Updated and compliant HACCP plans are in place
• Consistent, practical pre-requisite program documents and forms
• MAF staff and industry personnel building capacity
• Internal review and verification systems are established
• HACCP and food safety documentation are aligned with MAF’s digital seafood verification and traceability systems, supporting export certification
• Samoa’s seafood products show improved compliance and market readiness

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.

• Tertiary qualification in food science, food technology or related fields
• Minimum of 5-10 years’ experience in the areas relating to food safety management systems, exports, processing establishments, and traceability
• Expertise and proven experience in HACCP and food safety management systems
• Knowledge of international food safety standards and export requirements
• Technical knowledge of fish nutrition, value-added and post-harvest for seafood processors and exporters preferred 
• Ability to train, mentor, and build on the skills and capabilities of the local team
• Technical writing and documentation development
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

  
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 Country – Samoa
Samoa is situated in the South Pacific approximately halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. It sits squarely in the cyclone belt and is highly vulnerable to devastating storms. Around three-quarters of its 195,000 population live on the main island of Upolu; the rest live on the neighbouring island of Savai'i or one of the seven small islets.

The traditional Samoan way, the fa’a Samoa, remains a strong force in Samoan life and politics where family is all-important, and elders are highly respected.
  
Each village is made up of extended families that are represented on the village council by a chief (matai). The more western-style parliamentary system in Samoa is highly influenced by traditional social systems and the family, civic and political duties performed by the matai at village level. The country is predominantly Christian.

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 volunteer@vsa.org.nz.

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.
  
  
 

We are looking for a volunteer with:

• 12-months fulltime volunteering opportunity in Apia, Samoa.
• Flights, accommodation and other expenses covered by VSA.
• Make a lasting difference across the Pacific.