If you’re one of the many Kiwis who has been made redundant in the last year or so, you might be looking for bright ideas on what to do next. Well, here’s an unexpected next move that not only looks great on your CV and is amazing chance to give back, but will also take you to sunnier shores…
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A physio mentoring other physios in Bougainville. A digital marketing strategist for Papua New Guinea. A health and safety educator in Samoa. An emergency medicine specialist in Tonga.
If you’ve ever thought about combining your love for travel with an incredible opportunity to share skills and learn a new culture, all while taking a break from the dumpster fire that is the jobseeker situation in New Zealand, VSA may be just the ticket.
Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) places skilled New Zealanders into volunteer assignments across the Pacific and in Timor-Leste, covering all the usual costs associated with living overseas (flights, accommodation, insurance, visas, and an allowance that pays for necessities like food and toiletries) and offering a complete change of scene and lifestyle for anything from a few months to a year or more.
Michelle Evans is VSA’s Director of Programmes and Volunteer Services and says a significant pool of volunteers is women aged from 25 to 50. And their backgrounds are as diverse as the countries they travel to. “Right now, we’re receiving a lot more applications from people who have been made redundant in the public sector,” she begins. “Naturally, though, some will pull out of the process during their recruitment if they’re offered something more permanent.”
Michelle says being matched with a partner organisation in a Pacific country is a hugely fulfilling experience and is often sought out by young professionals looking for a challenge, perhaps before they settle and begin a family, women in the middle of their careers hungry for a chance to share skills, and those in a career transition – such as experiencing redundancy or wanting to leave their job and do something different.
Dependent children can’t travel overseas, but partners are welcome, if the assignment runs for six months or more, with expenses covered by VSA. “It’s not uncommon for volunteers’ partners to find a volunteer assignment while they’re away, too.”
Volunteers go through an extensive pre-assignment briefing before they leave, are supported by country managers while they’re away, and there’s a wonderful network of other VSA volunteers to lean on and socialise with while they’re living in Fiji, the Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Timor Leste, Kiribati, or one of the other nations where VSA is active.
“It’s not for everyone,” Michelle admits, “and there are challenges. Working in a Pacific country might look easy from the outside – picture perfect beaches, coconut trees. But VSA wouldn’t be working in those environments if it was challenge-free. What our volunteers constantly tell us is that the experience gives them so much more than a lot of jobs in New Zealand could offer.”
VSA’s UniVol programme also taps into the unique skillset of recent graduates, who “might not have the same life experience,” Michelle says, “but have so much to offer in terms of computer skills or social media skills, for instance. And these are often the skills Pacific organisations lack.” It’s an option more and more young women are grabbing as a gap year between uni and the workforce. “Especially now, when opportunities here are certainly few and far between.”
What’s most important is the ability to listen, to be adaptable, resourceful and resilient. “Sometimes, you can see things in the Pacific that are really different to home, or maybe a little confronting. So being able to adjust your working style, form strong relationships and manage setbacks is vital.”
“We really value the insights of Māori and Pacific applicants,” Michelle adds, “but don’t get as many as we’d like – that’s certainly an area we’d like to grow. There’s already a deep knowledge of culture and protocols which puts Māori and Pacific volunteers in good stead before they even deploy.”
Michelle’s message to any woman who has recently lost her job, and has an interest in doing something different, is to browse the VSA website or get in touch. “I’ve worked here over 10 years and every volunteer I’ve spoken to says they get way more out of the experience than they give and learn so much about themselves. Many volunteers come back and apply for another volunteer role right away – it’s just so humbling and rewarding. I say, go for it.”