Youth Development Facilitator - Volunteer Position - Onsite in Ecuador • South America - 2 years, plus 3 months training
Peace Corps
United States
Posted on Jun 3, 2026
About The Project
Are you motivated to join a team that is committed to supporting youth? Ecuador has an opportunity for you!
In Ecuador, more than one-third of the population is under the age of 18—an extraordinary source of creativity and potential. At the same time, many young people and their families face social and economic challenges that limit their access to opportunities for growth, leadership, and well-being. Poverty, migration, family separation, school disengagement, and limited access to supportive services can increase vulnerability, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Ecuador’s National Development Plan (2025–2029) prioritizes strengthening community-based systems that support young people and families.
As a Youth Development Facilitator, you will collaborate with organizations, schools, families, and young people to strengthen local capacity and expand opportunities for youth engagement and leadership development. You may support initiatives that foster life skills, civic participation, employability, and/or family engagement. Together you will create safe spaces where youth can learn, lead, and grow. In your supportive role, you will help communities develop stronger support systems for young people (11–24 years old), allowing the next generation to become confident, engaged, and resilient leaders of positive change.
SPECIAL NOTICE ABOUT CITIZENSHIP: Candidates who are dual citizens of Ecuador and the U.S. are not eligible to serve with Peace Corps Ecuador. Volunteer safety is of paramount importance, and the protections of U.S. citizenship promote Volunteer safety. If anyone holding dual U.S. and Ecuadorian citizenship were to face a legal, safety, or other emergency situation in Ecuador, the Peace Corps' ability to intervene would be limited. If you hold citizenship with both the U.S. and Ecuador, we encourage you to look at other opportunities with Peace Corps.
Activities
How you and the community will make an impact together:
Train youth in core life skills, including self-esteem, goal setting, decision-making, communication, leadership, and prevention of alcohol and substance abuse.
Engage youth in clubs, camps, sports, arts, and recreational activities that promote positive behaviors.
Design and facilitate workshops for community stakeholders on positive youth development, facilitation skills, volunteerism, service-learning, advocacy, community assessment, and project management.
Strengthen organizational capacity and community development initiatives.
Support the implementation of community-led activities and youth-focused projects.
Train youth in employability and vocational skills to enhance workforce readiness.
Tutor through after-school and literacy programs to improve reading comprehension and academic performance.
Facilitate sessions with families and community members on parenting skills and positive youth development practices.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as an English language club or environmental clubs.
Required Skills
Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
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 four years of full-time, post-high school work (from any combination of roles).
Language: There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position.
Key dates
APPLY BY : October 15, 2026
KNOW BY : December 1, 2026
DEPART ON : May 30, 2027
DURATION : 2 years, plus 3 months training
Are you motivated to join a team that is committed to supporting youth? Ecuador has an opportunity for you!
In Ecuador, more than one-third of the population is under the age of 18—an extraordinary source of creativity and potential. At the same time, many young people and their families face social and economic challenges that limit their access to opportunities for growth, leadership, and well-being. Poverty, migration, family separation, school disengagement, and limited access to supportive services can increase vulnerability, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Ecuador’s National Development Plan (2025–2029) prioritizes strengthening community-based systems that support young people and families.
As a Youth Development Facilitator, you will collaborate with organizations, schools, families, and young people to strengthen local capacity and expand opportunities for youth engagement and leadership development. You may support initiatives that foster life skills, civic participation, employability, and/or family engagement. Together you will create safe spaces where youth can learn, lead, and grow. In your supportive role, you will help communities develop stronger support systems for young people (11–24 years old), allowing the next generation to become confident, engaged, and resilient leaders of positive change.
SPECIAL NOTICE ABOUT CITIZENSHIP: Candidates who are dual citizens of Ecuador and the U.S. are not eligible to serve with Peace Corps Ecuador. Volunteer safety is of paramount importance, and the protections of U.S. citizenship promote Volunteer safety. If anyone holding dual U.S. and Ecuadorian citizenship were to face a legal, safety, or other emergency situation in Ecuador, the Peace Corps' ability to intervene would be limited. If you hold citizenship with both the U.S. and Ecuador, we encourage you to look at other opportunities with Peace Corps.
Activities
How you and the community will make an impact together:
Train youth in core life skills, including self-esteem, goal setting, decision-making, communication, leadership, and prevention of alcohol and substance abuse.
Engage youth in clubs, camps, sports, arts, and recreational activities that promote positive behaviors.
Design and facilitate workshops for community stakeholders on positive youth development, facilitation skills, volunteerism, service-learning, advocacy, community assessment, and project management.
Strengthen organizational capacity and community development initiatives.
Support the implementation of community-led activities and youth-focused projects.
Train youth in employability and vocational skills to enhance workforce readiness.
Tutor through after-school and literacy programs to improve reading comprehension and academic performance.
Facilitate sessions with families and community members on parenting skills and positive youth development practices.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as an English language club or environmental clubs.
Required Skills
Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
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 four years of full-time, post-high school work (from any combination of roles).
Language: There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position.
Key dates
APPLY BY : October 15, 2026
KNOW BY : December 1, 2026
DEPART ON : May 30, 2027
DURATION : 2 years, plus 3 months training