Youth Development Teacher

Are you dedicated to helping young people develop into well-rounded adults with essential employability skills? This opportunity is for you!

Eswatini is harnessing the strength, creativity, and leadership of its young people, who make up more than half the population. Strong school and community engagement structures already support youth development yet major obstacles persist: HIV rates remain high, fewer than half of students advance to high school, and youth unemployment is 53 percent for both young men and women. These challenges not only make the transition to adulthood difficult, but they also limit opportunities, underscoring the urgent need for targeted investment and support.

As a Youth Development Teacher, you will collaborate with teachers, coaches, and school committees to equip the youth with essential skills. Together, you will teach life skills classes, lead clubs that promote healthy behaviors, and support programs that motivate students. Over time, this effort will foster safer, youth‑friendly learning environments and build young people’s confidence, leadership, and employability.

Master's degree in social work, psychology, education, youth development, applied behavioral science, or a related field.
OR
Bachelor's degree in social work, social studies, psychology, education, youth development, applied behavioral science, or a related field with at least 3 months of experience working with youth and/or families.
OR
High school diploma or GED and three years of experience working with youth and/or families, preferably from under-resourced communities.

Volunteers will live on a host family homestead in a stand-alone, private hut in any of Eswatini’s four regions. While electricity is widely available and most Volunteers live with modern conveniences, Volunteers should also be prepared to live without electricity and running water.

Gain transferrable training and international experience teaching life skills and wellness.
Learn Siswati from skilled Language and Cross-Culture Facilitators.
Build meaningful relationships and experience the strength that comes with community connections.

Team up with teachers to create engaging life‑skills lessons.
Plan and lead life‑skills sessions with out‑of‑school youth through weekend clubs and activities.
Create youth clubs that build employability, basic business, and personal money management skills.
Inspire and guide youth to lead projects and initiatives that make a real difference in their schools and communities.
Connect youth with youth-friendly medical services.

You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as a running club or digital literacy training.

As a Youth Development Teacher, you will be trained on positive youth development strategies, basic business skills, and Eswatini’s National Life Skills Education curriculum. Peace Corps/Eswatini will teach you Siswati to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community.

After nine weeks of training, you will move to a rural community where you will collaborate with middle and high school educators to assess the needs and develop solutions based on evidence-based practices.