Youth Development Specialist in El Salvador

Job description

We are looking for U.S. citizens who want to be a part of something bigger and are willing to go the distance to make a difference. Is that you?

In more than 60 countries, Peace Corps Volunteers are putting their purpose, passion, and skills to work in partnership with welcoming host communities – growing, teaching, learning, and making change together.

As a Peace Corps Volunteer, you'll live and work alongside community members on locally prioritized projects, receiving a stipend and other support as you immerse yourself in a new culture. You’ll build relationships, exchange knowledge, and help transform lives for generations.

About the project

Youth in El Salvador are motivated to step forward as leaders to engage with community members and strengthen their communities. You, too, can be part of the movement!

In El Salvador, youth make up more than a quarter of the population, making them one of the country’s greatest assets for the future. Yet, many young people face social and economic challenges that limit their access to positive learning opportunities and impact their overall well-being. Economic hardship, low school completion rates, limited life skills development opportunities, and barriers to active community engagement can make it difficult for young people to reach their full potential. National data show that only half of youth complete lower secondary school and even fewer complete upper secondary school. These low levels of school completion have significant implications for individuals and the country as a whole.

As a Youth Development Specialist, you will collaborate with school staff to equip youth with essential life skills, such as communication, empathy, creative problem-solving, and goal setting. Working alongside community leaders, you will create supportive environments that encourage youth participation in community projects and civic engagement. Over time, this work strengthens families, schools, and community networks, contributing to more supportive environments for youth and advancing El Salvador’s national priorities.

Learn more about what Volunteers do in country by visiting our El Salvador project page.