Artisan Business Development Specialist - Volunteer Position - Onsite in Vanuatu • Pacific Islands - 12 months
Peace Corps
Sales & Business Development
United States
Posted on Apr 7, 2026
About The Project
Are you passionate about preserving cultural heritage and supporting creative industries?
The Vanuatu Department of Industry seeks support to strengthen the handicraft sector— a vital part of the nation’s cultural identity and rural economy. Since integrating the Creative Industry Sector in 2021, the department has worked to formalize and sustain handicraft production across Vanuatu. However, rapid growth in stakeholder interest and demand has outpaced available resources, creating challenges in maintaining quality standards, addressing logistical barriers, and improving market access.
Partnering with the Department will help bridge these gaps and empower communities, especially women. This can be a part of strengthening Vanuatu’s creative industries, drive rural economic growth, and unlock the country’s potential to compete in niche markets with premium products.
As the Artisan Business Development Specialist, you will support rural artisans to preserve traditional weaving techniques while fostering innovation and quality standards. Your collaborative efforts will enhance domestic and export markets, improve livelihoods, and promote cultural heritage for future generations.
Activities
How you and the community will make an impact together:
Conduct an assessment of the handicraft sector to identify gaps and opportunities.
Facilitate training sessions on quality standards and formal business practices.
Support artisans in developing innovative designs for domestic and international markets.
Assist in creating and implementing marketing strategies for handicraft hubs.
Promote handicraft products through social media and other digital platforms.
Develop a system for collecting and analyzing data on handicraft production and sales.
Collaborate with stakeholders to strengthen the handicraft value chain.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as a reading or movie club.
Required Skills
Competitive candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
Key dates
APPLY BY : August 15, 2026
KNOW BY : October 1, 2026
DEPART ON : March 9, 2027
DURATION : 12 months
Are you passionate about preserving cultural heritage and supporting creative industries?
The Vanuatu Department of Industry seeks support to strengthen the handicraft sector— a vital part of the nation’s cultural identity and rural economy. Since integrating the Creative Industry Sector in 2021, the department has worked to formalize and sustain handicraft production across Vanuatu. However, rapid growth in stakeholder interest and demand has outpaced available resources, creating challenges in maintaining quality standards, addressing logistical barriers, and improving market access.
Partnering with the Department will help bridge these gaps and empower communities, especially women. This can be a part of strengthening Vanuatu’s creative industries, drive rural economic growth, and unlock the country’s potential to compete in niche markets with premium products.
As the Artisan Business Development Specialist, you will support rural artisans to preserve traditional weaving techniques while fostering innovation and quality standards. Your collaborative efforts will enhance domestic and export markets, improve livelihoods, and promote cultural heritage for future generations.
Activities
How you and the community will make an impact together:
Conduct an assessment of the handicraft sector to identify gaps and opportunities.
Facilitate training sessions on quality standards and formal business practices.
Support artisans in developing innovative designs for domestic and international markets.
Assist in creating and implementing marketing strategies for handicraft hubs.
Promote handicraft products through social media and other digital platforms.
Develop a system for collecting and analyzing data on handicraft production and sales.
Collaborate with stakeholders to strengthen the handicraft value chain.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as a reading or movie club.
Required Skills
Competitive candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
- Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in relevant field, including Social Science, Education Business, or Management and Organizational Development
- 3 or more years of technical expertise in organizational capacity development and training
- Experience supporting strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
- Professional experience in program management and/or monitoring and evaluation
Key dates
APPLY BY : August 15, 2026
KNOW BY : October 1, 2026
DEPART ON : March 9, 2027
DURATION : 12 months