Apply by
January 1, 2025
Know by
March 1, 2025
Depart on
July 11, 2025
Duration
2 years, plus 3 months training
Project description
“Beautiful Samoa” is a small Polynesian island nation in the South Pacific, with a tropical climate and a geography of coastal planes and a forested, volcanic, and mountainous interior. While its carbon footprint is negligible compared to wealthy nations, Samoa’s small size and geographic isolation leave it extremely vulnerable to the global impacts of climate change. In the coming years, it is expected that Samoa will experience rising temperatures, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, ocean acidification, and coral bleaching, as a result of climate change. Unaddressed, such disasters may result in significant impacts to Samoans’ health, wellbeing, and livelihoods.
In 2024, the Samoan Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) extended the invitation to Peace Corps to support their mission to conserve and protect Samoa’s environment. The Peace Corps’ focus on environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and community empowerment directly aligns with the Pathway for the Development of Samoa 2022 – 2026, showcasing a holistic approach to creating a more sustainable and resilient future for communities. By emphasizing sustainable practices, community-based environmental governance, and enhancing environmental stewardship, this initiative has the potential to create models for sustainable living and promote a healthier, more prosperous life for all in Samoa.
In partnership with MNRE, Peace Corps Volunteers will work together with local counterparts to support initiatives which promote biodiversity, sustainable resource management, waste and pollution management, disaster risk management and dissemination of climate information to ensure a resilient environment. Peace Corps Samoa recognizes that the path to long-term sustainability and impact is through trusting partnerships with the Samoan government and local communities through the sharing of knowledge and skills.
Peace Corps Volunteers Will Be Placed In Local Government Offices And Will Work Closely With Communities To Increase Environmental Awareness And Support Implementation Of Sustainable Practices. During Their Two-year Service, Volunteers Will
- Work with MNRE and their local community to survey resources, identify community strengths, and conduct needs assessments.
- Co-create and support implementation of environmental project design and implementation, based on community-identified needs, priorities, risks and opportunities.
- Facilitate environmental science lessons, student camps and clubs, and extra-curricular activities in English and Samoan in partnership with community schools to promote environmental awareness and appreciation among Samoan youth.
- Support national and community-level environmental education campaigns and strategies in partnership with MNRE.
Volunteers will play multiple roles during their service in Samoa to support and build capacity around environmental education, engagement, and action. Volunteers and their partners will be trained to utilize participatory tools in a phased, asset-based approach to uncover existing strengths, advantages, and opportunities.
Peace Corps Samoa champions initiatives that promote gender equity, girls’ and boys’ education, and leadership development. Volunteers receive in-depth training on incorporating methods of gender analysis into community assessment and development efforts. Volunteers are encouraged to find culturally appropriate ways to incorporate gender awareness into their work. Peace Corps Samoa is the first to have GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) clubs in schools that are co-run by Volunteers and local counterparts. In addition, GLOW clubs are managed by a board composed of Peace Corps Volunteers and prominent Samoan women leaders. Prior to the global evacuation of Volunteers, we had more than 20 Primary Schools with active GLOW clubs and five primary schools with BUILD (Boys United In Leadership Development) clubs that met weekly. These clubs were supported by the local communities and schools, as well as our literacy project partner agency, MEC.
Volunteer assignments evolve over time. In their first year, Volunteers go through early adaptation and experiential learning cycles. This will be the time to build on competencies in language, relationship building, community engagement tools, and adjusting to island life. These skills are critical to effectiveness throughout service.
Climate change activities
As The Impacts Of Climate Change Become Ever More Evident, The Social, Economic, And Environmental Conditions Faced By Local Communities Will Become Increasingly Problematic, Particularly For Vulnerable Households In Low-lying Areas And Historically Marginalized Communities. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, You Will Be Trained To Use a Participatory Approach And Tools To Identify Locally Determined Priorities And Conditions, Including Those Related To The Impacts Of Climate Change. The Types Of Interventions Undertaken Will Be Guided By National And Local Priorities For Climate Change Adaptation As Identified In Your Country’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) And Those Environment-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 6, 12, 13, 14 & 15) That Have Been Identified For Local Action. As An Environment Volunteer, You Will Be Trained To Use This Knowledge To Work With Government, Local, And Community Stakeholders To Mitigate Some Of The Adverse Impacts Of Climate Change While Promoting Resiliency, And Engaging In Projects And Activities That
- strengthen the ability of vulnerable households and communities to respond to extreme weather events such as cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons;
- enhance local and community capacities for effective implementation of NAP and SDG priorities;
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions through promoting the expansion of renewable energy technologies;
- support the development of sustainable mechanisms that incorporate the “3 Rs” (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) of effective solid waste management practices; and
- work with Volunteers in other sectors to integrate climate change adaptation practices into their activities (e.g., work with Health Volunteers to reduce respiratory health issues of women and girls through use of improved cook stoves; work with Education Volunteers to mitigate the impact of heat waves on local teaching or establishing tree nurseries and planting trees to reduce the time that students use in collecting firewood).
Required Skills
Qualified candidates will have an expressed interest in promoting environmental awareness in schools and communities, and one or more of the following criteria:
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any field
OR
- 5 years' professional work experience
Desired Skills
Competitive candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
- BA/BS in Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Environmental Education, or a related field.
- 3 or more years’ professional work experience in environmental education, environmental activities, and/or climate change resilience or adaptation activities.
- Experience organizing and/or facilitating environmental activities.
- Experience teaching environmental content to all ages, including effective classroom management and informal education.
- Experience or commitment to working with local communities in participatory planning.
- Experience of scholastic background in conducting biodiversity, climate change, and/or waste management field work.
Required Language Skills
There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position. Peace Corps Samoa Invitees will receive a brief introduction to the Samoan language in the pre-departure course and receive in-depth language training during Pre-Service Training. As an Environment Volunteer, speaking Samoan will be an important means of integrating into your community. Volunteers will need an understanding of Samoan to follow staff meetings and discussions. Even if counterparts speak English, most of them prefer to use Samoan in meetings, and most staff meetings will be conducted in Samoan. Many villagers do not speak English fluently. In addition, language is a key to culture. Showing you are making an effort to learn the language both demonstrates respect to individuals and helps earn respect in your community. Volunteers are expected to engage in continual language learning throughout their service utilizing e-learning, community tutors, and immersion in their communities. A good control of Samoan is necessary to effectively work in the community and continual practice in Samoan will increase the impact of Volunteer activities. Additionally, consistent practice in the community is important to pick-up the colloquial or casual communication most often used.
Living conditions
Samoa is an island nation of about 200,000 people. Reefs fringe the shores and there are mountains in the center of the two main islands. Most Volunteers do not live on the ocean, but it is never far away. Samoa is hot and humid with two main seasons – rainy and dry. The country’s small size also means Volunteers’ travel and activities are scrutinized by community members. Living in a “fishbowl” environment can be challenging. Volunteers who are committed to their community integration and their work can build meaningful relationships in their communities and have a successful service. Integration into a community will help mitigate the attention Volunteers experience, create trust, and help the Volunteer and the community have an enriched, memorable experience.
Clothing
Personal appearance is important to Samoans. During Pre-Service Training (PST), the dress code is business casual. Women are expected to wear a wraparound “lavalava” or an ankle length skirt and top with sleeves, or an ankle length dress. Men can wear a wraparound lavalava and shirt with sleeves. Dressing appropriately after PST will help Volunteers gain respect in your community, facilitate integration, and increase your credibility and effectiveness.
Housing/Transportation
Volunteers live with host families during both the 11 weeks of PST and the two years of service. Volunteers live in a private room in a family’s house. Transportation to and from the villages is usually by bus. Taxis are available but are more expensive. Within the village, Volunteers get around on foot or bicycle.
Food/Diet
The diet in Samoa consists primarily of taro, breadfruit, yams, potatoes, rice, canned corned beef, fish, chicken soup, seasonal fresh vegetables and fruit and various meats. Vegetarians can fare well in Samoa with patience and creativity. For strict vegans, it’s harder, but doable.
Connectivity
While internet is becoming more widely available throughout the country, access is still expensive and may be limited by location and cost. Peace Corps Samoa does not provide Volunteers with a cellphone or data. Volunteers may bring an unlocked phone from the US or buy one in country. Most Volunteers also bring a computer to use in Samoa. It is the Volunteer’s responsibility to maintain and insure electronics that they bring.
Culture/Religion
Samoa is culturally Polynesian and the majority of Samoans are Christian. Religion plays a strong role in village and community life. Most Volunteers attend church at least once a week, regardless of their own beliefs as a way of integrating into the community and participating in village life.
Diversity & Inclusion
Through inclusive recruitment and retention of staff and Volunteers, the Peace Corps seeks to reflect the rich diversity of the United States and bring diverse perspectives and solutions to development issues. Ensuring diversity among staff and Volunteers enriches interpersonal relations and communications for the staff work environment, the Volunteer experience, and the communities in which Volunteers serve. Our definition of diversity includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, education, ability, and more.
Volunteers who are of an American racial, ethnic, or national minority or whose religious or spiritual beliefs differ from the majority of their country of service may experience a high degree of curiosity or unwanted attention. Please be aware that American concepts of politeness and appropriate behavior are not universal. Ethnically, nationally, or racially diverse Americans may be asked where they are “actually from” or if they are “really” American. Many Volunteers have been able to turn these encounters into learning experiences, sharing American values and deepening local community members’ understanding of Americans.
Learn more about the Volunteer experience in Samoa: Get detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics in order to make a well-informed decision about serving.
Medical considerations
Before you apply, please review medical clearance and legal clearance to learn about the process.
Couples information
