Job Description

PCV

Guatemala

Country

Guatemala

Required Skills

Associate degree in any field and at least two years of full-time, post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).

OR

Bachelor's degree in any field.

OR

High school diploma or GED and 4 years of full-time post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).

Partner Organization Name

Local extension agents, nutritionists, non-governmental organizations

Language Requirement

(PCV) Spanish 1

Living Conditions

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.

No Degree Required

Yes

Primary Sector

Agriculture

Assignment Length (months)

24

Accepts Couples

Yes

Featured Job

No

Accepting Applications?

Yes

Posted on LinkedIn

No

Job Highlights

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.

Activities

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.

Training

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.

Couple Types

Only heterosexual couples can be accepted for this program.

Couple Living Conditions

Cohabitating couples are highly encouraged to present themselves as married throughout service due to cultural expectations.

Couple Training Conditions

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.

Couple Sector Combinations

Each person must apply separately and qualify for a position in a different sector than their partner.