Guatemala
Local extension agents, nutritionists, non-governmental organizations
Qualified candidates will have an expressed interest in working in agriculture and one or more of the following criteria:
• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any field
OR
• 5 years' professional work experience
All candidates who meet the required skills are encouraged to apply. Additional skills that may make you a more competitive candidate include:
All candidates who meet the required skills are encouraged to apply. Additional skills that may make you a more competitive candidate include:
Informal teaching or training experience, especially with women, youth, or indigenous populations.
Experience with agriculture extension and/or home health in rural communities.
Experience employing organizational capacity development strategies with community-based organizations and/or in community development projects.
Volunteers live and work in the departments of Sacatepéquez, Chimaltenango, Sololá, Quiche, Totonicapán, and Quetzaltenango. Most Volunteers live in medium-sized to larger rural communities (3,000 to 40,000 people) that have electricity and running water, but the supply may be intermittent. Volunteers will be required to live with a host family for the full duration of their service in Guatemala. While each living situation is unique, Volunteers can expect their own private bedroom and bathroom access.
(PCV) Spanish 1
Agriculture
Yes
Guatemala
24
Yes
PCV
No
No
Identify community strengths, needs, and resources using collaborative tools and approaches.
Facilitate group training and field-based instruction for food security service providers and community members on adult learning methods, participatory community development, and community engagement strategies.
Develop or update educational training resources in areas such as agriculture, nutrition, the environment, community leadership, and engagement strategies.
Form farmer groups to encourage active participation from all community members.
Connect community groups, local institutions, and government programs to strengthen collaboration and resource sharing.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as nutritional cooking demonstrations and school gardens.
As a Food Security Extension Officer, you will be trained on sustainable agricultural strategies, project design and management, and participatory community development. Peace Corps/Guatemala will strengthen your Spanish language skills to help you reach an intermediate level of oral proficiency, which will help you live in and connect with the community. Volunteers in areas where Mayan languages are spoken may elect to study the language once they arrive at their assigned site.
After 10 weeks of training, you will move to your assigned community where you will collaborate with the local government and non-government organizations that support food security services. You will work with the community to assess the local needs and develop solutions based on local resources and agricultural best practices.
Gain valuable, hands-on experience with sustainable farming for food security at the grassroots level.
Strengthen Spanish language proficiency through daily immersion and collaboration with community members.
Contribute to the betterment of rural Guatemalan households through a variety of food security extension services.
Only heterosexual couples can be accepted for this program.
Each person must apply separately and qualify for a position in a different sector than their partner.
Cross-sector couples will live with different host families who may reside in different communities during training. Cross-sector couples may see each other for joint-sector training days or on the weekends but neither are guaranteed.
As the preeminent international service organization of the United States, the Peace Corps sends Americans with a passion for service abroad to work with communities and create lasting change. Volunteers develop sustainable solutions to address challenges in Education, Health, Economic Development, Agriculture, Environment and Youth Development. Through their Peace Corps experiences, Volunteers gain a unique cultural understanding and a lifelong commitment to service that positions them to succeed in today's global economy. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 240,000 Americans of all ages have served in 142 countries worldwide.
