Youth Wellness Advocate in Ecuador

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

Ecuador is looking for experienced health educators and aspiring life skills coaches to support youth health education.

The Ecuadorian government has identified non-communicable diseases—such as heart disease and diabetes—as some of the country’s most pressing health challenges. Malnutrition remains a persistent concern, with undernutrition affecting nearly 30 percent of children under the age of 5. At the same time, obesity rates continue to rise steadily across all age groups. Significant gaps in sexual and reproductive health education, particularly in relation to reducing the transmission of sexually transmitted infections and preventing teenage pregnancy. In fact, approximately 20 percent of all births in Ecuador are to mothers under the age of 20. To address these challenges, the government aims to strengthen health outcomes by enhancing the quality and reach of health education across schools, households, workplaces, and broader community settings.

As a Youth Wellness Advocate, you will collaborate with community members to connect youth (ages 10–19) in rural and underserved areas with available resources and health services, allowing them to make informed decisions for their own health and daily life. You will also identify opportunities to strengthen local capacity, specifically in providing quality health education and life skills. By strengthening health education, you will help communities to adopt healthy behaviors, prevent disease, and build resilience.

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.

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