Youth and Sports Development Facilitator - Volunteer Position - Onsite in Belize - 2 years, plus 3 months training
Peace Corps
United States
Posted on May 3, 2025
About The Job
Apply by :
October 1, 2025
Know By
December 1, 2025
Depart On
May 3, 2026
Duration
2 years, plus 3 months training
ELIGIBILITY: Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be a U.S. citizen.
Project description
Since 1962, more than 2,100 Volunteers have worked alongside Belizean communities, supporting grassroots development and building lasting partnerships. Today, we continue that legacy – promoting peace, friendship, and shared progress with our Belizean partners.
OVERVIEW:
In 2023, Peace Corps Belize launched the Youth Empowered by Sports (YES) Project in partnership with the Belize National Sports Council. This initiative supports the development of youth aged 6–19 by using sports as a tool for positive change. Volunteers are placed in designated primary schools to lead sports and life skills activities, while also partnering with local organizations or sports clubs to strengthen operations and programming. Backed by strong support from communities, schools, and government, Volunteers will bring professionalism, dedication, and a commitment to Peace Corps’ Core Expectations and development approach to fuel lasting impact for Belizean youth.
Goal
Belizean youth empowered to live healthy lives and fulfill their potential.
Objectives
Volunteers will work collaboratively with our partners across three objectives:
Strengthen The Life Skills Of Youth
Relationship-building is central to the Peace Corps experience and Volunteers’ success in their primary assignment. Volunteers who immerse themselves in their community, speak the local language and take initiative to build strong relationships with partners and community members will thrive in Belize. Work flows naturally from a foundation of trust and strong relationships.
Special Considerations
The YES Project requires Volunteers to actively participate in training sessions, games, and tournaments in Belize’s tropical heat and humidity. Tasks may also include moving sports equipment or furniture. Maintaining physical fitness and adapting to challenging conditions are essential for success in this role.
Maya’s Experience
EXAMPLES OF CURRENT VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY:
Maya rises at 5:30am to prepare for the day in her small border town. Morning finds her co-facilitating a life skills session with her counterpart before organizing the afternoon sports club. They're introducing kickball as an alternative to the usual football. After school, she meets with teachers to continue developing the "Creating Coaches" training program. Walking home, she chats with neighbors in Kriol and picks up fresh tortillas. Evening brings lesson planning and a brief call to coordinate this weekend's community mural project with a local youth organization.
Carlos’ Experience
Before the morning bell, Carlos sets up the Healthy Habits Club, where youth tend to garden plots before classes begin. At lunch, he meets with his principal to finalize plans for an upcoming sports tournament between schools. In the afternoon, Carlos meets with the village council to plan their summer sports camp. Carlos is excited about connecting the town councilors with youth and sports organizations in the nearest District Town who are interested in volunteering as coaches for the camp. He closes his day resting in his host family’s hammock under star-filled skies.
Required Skills
Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
Candidates who are dual citizens of Belize and the U.S. are not eligible to serve with Peace Corps Belize. Volunteer safety is of paramount importance and the protections of U.S. citizenship promotes Volunteer safety. If anyone holding dual U.S. and Belize citizenship were to face a legal, safety, or other emergency situation in Belize, the Peace Corps’ ability to intervene would be limited. If you hold citizenship with both the U.S. and Belize, we encourage you to look at other opportunities with Peace Corps.
Apply by :
October 1, 2025
Know By
December 1, 2025
Depart On
May 3, 2026
Duration
2 years, plus 3 months training
ELIGIBILITY: Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be a U.S. citizen.
Project description
Since 1962, more than 2,100 Volunteers have worked alongside Belizean communities, supporting grassroots development and building lasting partnerships. Today, we continue that legacy – promoting peace, friendship, and shared progress with our Belizean partners.
OVERVIEW:
In 2023, Peace Corps Belize launched the Youth Empowered by Sports (YES) Project in partnership with the Belize National Sports Council. This initiative supports the development of youth aged 6–19 by using sports as a tool for positive change. Volunteers are placed in designated primary schools to lead sports and life skills activities, while also partnering with local organizations or sports clubs to strengthen operations and programming. Backed by strong support from communities, schools, and government, Volunteers will bring professionalism, dedication, and a commitment to Peace Corps’ Core Expectations and development approach to fuel lasting impact for Belizean youth.
Goal
Belizean youth empowered to live healthy lives and fulfill their potential.
Objectives
Volunteers will work collaboratively with our partners across three objectives:
Strengthen The Life Skills Of Youth
- Co-plan and co-facilitate youth programming that incorporates life skills development via youth sports clubs, sports camps, fun days, and/or sports clinics.
- Co-plan youth programs with youth service providers.
- Co-train youth service providers in the implementation of positive youth development activities and life skills.
- Co-train and guide organization members on the application of organizational development skills and knowledge (e.g., strategic planning, governance, communications, administration).
- Co-train families/caregivers/community groups on key topics to support youth development.
- Co-create strategies to increase and/or deepen families’ and/or caregivers’ positive engagement with their children.
Relationship-building is central to the Peace Corps experience and Volunteers’ success in their primary assignment. Volunteers who immerse themselves in their community, speak the local language and take initiative to build strong relationships with partners and community members will thrive in Belize. Work flows naturally from a foundation of trust and strong relationships.
Special Considerations
The YES Project requires Volunteers to actively participate in training sessions, games, and tournaments in Belize’s tropical heat and humidity. Tasks may also include moving sports equipment or furniture. Maintaining physical fitness and adapting to challenging conditions are essential for success in this role.
Maya’s Experience
EXAMPLES OF CURRENT VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY:
Maya rises at 5:30am to prepare for the day in her small border town. Morning finds her co-facilitating a life skills session with her counterpart before organizing the afternoon sports club. They're introducing kickball as an alternative to the usual football. After school, she meets with teachers to continue developing the "Creating Coaches" training program. Walking home, she chats with neighbors in Kriol and picks up fresh tortillas. Evening brings lesson planning and a brief call to coordinate this weekend's community mural project with a local youth organization.
Carlos’ Experience
Before the morning bell, Carlos sets up the Healthy Habits Club, where youth tend to garden plots before classes begin. At lunch, he meets with his principal to finalize plans for an upcoming sports tournament between schools. In the afternoon, Carlos meets with the village council to plan their summer sports camp. Carlos is excited about connecting the town councilors with youth and sports organizations in the nearest District Town who are interested in volunteering as coaches for the camp. He closes his day resting in his host family’s hammock under star-filled skies.
Required Skills
Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any field.
- 5 years' professional work experience.
Candidates who are dual citizens of Belize and the U.S. are not eligible to serve with Peace Corps Belize. Volunteer safety is of paramount importance and the protections of U.S. citizenship promotes Volunteer safety. If anyone holding dual U.S. and Belize citizenship were to face a legal, safety, or other emergency situation in Belize, the Peace Corps’ ability to intervene would be limited. If you hold citizenship with both the U.S. and Belize, we encourage you to look at other opportunities with Peace Corps.