Apply by
January 1, 2025
Know by
March 1, 2025
Depart on
August 25, 2025
Duration
2 years, plus 3 months training
Project description
This opportunity offers a deeply rewarding experience, immersing you in the vibrant culture of Namibia. Participating in this program will not only broaden your perspective on life but also positively impact the lives of many children and adults. The sentiment, “I was taught by a Peace Corps Volunteer – it changed my life,” is commonly heard. Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV) have established a strong reputation in Namibia, where there is a high demand for education PCVs. Additionally, Namibia is a beautiful country, known for its stunning sunsets and hospitable people.
The Ministry of Education prioritizes the improvement of English literacy across the curriculum. The Peace Corps (PC) Namibia’s Education Project addresses gaps in English, mathematics, science, and technology content. Notably, PC/Namibia was invited by the government to advance English education as the official national language at the onset of Namibia’s independence in 1990. Currently, the Ministry faces a significant challenge: a shortage of teachers and a need for effective teaching practices. This challenge has resulted in a focused effort to transition students from mother-tongue instruction to English across the curriculum for grades 4-12. To support this transition, the Ministry seeks talented teachers to develop students’ English language skills and provide high-quality education.
As a PCV, you will be assigned to an upper primary or secondary school, ranging from 300 to 1,000 students, offering instruction for grades 4-12, with an average class size of 40. The English curriculum shares similarities with the U.S. school system for grades 3-12. Students are expected to study lexis and basic grammar, functional writing processes, and literature in their respective grades, following British English standards. Peace Corps provides support and training to PCVs to ensure their success.
You will work under the direct supervision of the school principal. While the weekly teaching load can vary, the expectation is to spend 70% of the time teaching. In addition to teaching, PCVs play a crucial role in building the capacity of teachers through creative teaching techniques, lesson planning, classroom management, developing teaching and learning resources, improving the delivery of instruction and teaching methods, promoting English literacy across the curriculum, and linking schools with their communities. The overarching objective is to ensure that learners acquire the English language skills, comprehension, and critical thinking abilities needed to become active citizens and desirable employees, while also empowering teachers to be more effective in their roles and achieve higher passing rates. It also demands enthusiasm for working with students of various age groups (ranging from 12 to 20 years old), as well as adults (co-teachers). Creativity, self-motivation, proactivity, and flexibility are essential qualities. Education PCVs will advocate for learner-centered approaches, emphasize English as the main medium of instruction, and focus on interactive teaching and learning. The Namibian education system also promotes social responsibility, life skills, gender awareness, respect for cultural values, environmental consciousness, and national reconciliation.
The Peace Corps promotes gender awareness and girls’ education and empowerment. You will receive training on gender challenges and you will have the opportunity to implement gender-related activities that are contextually appropriate. Additionally, PCVs receive training on HIV/AIDS prevention and can conduct secondary projects, such as co-facilitating youth HIV prevention programs with local counterparts. During Pre-Service Training (PST), you will begin developing the skills and knowledge needed to accomplish these tasks. This eleven-week intensive training period involves living with a local family and receiving training on key technical, intercultural, language, medical, and safety and security aspects.
Required Skills
Competitive candidates will have a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any discipline and a strong desire to teach English.
Desired Skills
Experience in at least one of the following areas is preferred:
- Classroom teaching experience and/or teacher training experience;
- At least 30 hours of English tutoring experience with primary, middle, or high school students or adults;
- TEFL/TESOL Certificate Holder;
- Ability to research, design, and deliver instructional materials;
- At least three months experience working at a camp, tutoring or teaching.
Required Language Skills
None but experience with other languages always help with learning new ones. Peace Corps has dedicated Language and Cultural Facilitators in Namibia to teach local languages during Pre-Service Training. You will have the opportunity to learn Oshikwanyama, Oshindonga, Otjiherero, Rukwangali, Silozi, Afrikaans or Khoekhoegowab, depending on where you will live. Proficiency in a local language is critical in your ability to integrate as a PCV and have an impactful and fulfilling service.
In some communities, at least three other local languages are spoken in addition to the primary local language. Learning basic greetings in the additional local language(s) spoken in your community is appreciated by community members. Having an interest in a deeper study of the local language, which most often will occur at you community in the form of self-study and continued work with a tutor, is a way for you to work more directly with community members, particularly women who may not have finished school and therefore do not speak English fluently.
Peace Corps identifies and trains language tutors in PCVs’ communities. In addition, Peace Corp’s full-time Language and Cultural Coordinator supports PCVs’ progress in local languages throughout service.
Living conditions
Namibia is an incredibly beautiful and unique country with great weather, averaging 300 days of sunshine each year! You will arrive in winter, which is sunny but chilly, with nighttime temperatures occasionally dropping to 40 degrees. Temperatures rise steadily in October, followed by the rainy season in November. November to March is the hottest period, reaching over 90 degrees. Namibia is an arid country with a lack of surface water, low humidity, and dry heat.
During Pre-Service Training you will live with a local family who will share Namibian culture and traditions, teach you how to manage village life, and practice speaking the local language with you. Your living situation will depend on your assignment location. Education PCVs may be placed in rural, urban, or peri-urban areas. Accommodations vary, including apartments with modern amenities, single rooms on school premises, or modest houses with shared kitchens and common areas. Most homes have indoor plumbing and electricity, though some PCVs may live in traditional housing with electricity. Flexibility and adaptability are desired characteristics for any potential Volunteer.
Namibians eat large quantities of meat, often accompanied by a carbohydrate. However, there are options for vegetarians, given the wide availability of vegetables, fruit, legumes, and eggs. Alcohol is widely consumed, particularly during holidays or special events, but it is not a problem if you politely decline.
PCVs either walk or bike if schools are nearby. For longer distances, they take minibuses or shared taxis.
Namibia is predominantly Christian, and while generally open-minded, values and morals concerning sexual orientation and gender identity are more conservative than in the U.S. PCVs need to be mindful of cultural norms and use their judgment in approaching sexual orientation and gender identity in their communities. While many LGBTQI+ PCVs have served successfully in Namibia, same-sex marriage is a hot topic, so the decision to disclose should be considered carefully through a safety, security, and integration lens. LGBTQI+ PCVs will be supported within the Peace Corps Volunteer and staff community. Staff currently serving PCVs will address this during PST and identify support mechanisms for incoming PCVs.
PCVs may face some discomfort living in a country with a recent post-apartheid and colonial past. Namibia is exceedingly diverse with a complex history affecting its politics, economy, and society. Living and working in Namibia means navigating extreme economic disparity and one's own identities, especially around race and ethnicity. Peace Corps will help Trainees understand and navigate these situations.
Through inclusive recruitment and retention of staff and PCVs, the Peace Corps seeks to reflect the rich diversity of the U.S. and bring diverse perspectives and solutions to development issues. PC works diligently to train host country partners on the diversity of the U.S. Still, PCVs who are of American racial or ethnic minorities may be mistaken for other nationalities or experience unwanted attention. Diverse Americans may be asked where they are “actually from” or if they are “really” American. Many PCVs have turned these encounters into learning experiences, sharing American values and deepening local community members’ understanding of Americans.
You will live among people who may have different cultural norms. Your effectiveness as a PCV depends on your ability to navigate these norms, so flexibility and a willingness to learn and understand are key. Norms you may encounter include a high importance placed on personal relationships and a casual attitude towards time and deadlines. Your training will help prepare you for these challenges.
Rates of gender-based violence (GBV) and HIV are high in Namibia. PCVs may meet people living with HIV or those who have experienced GBV. PCVs receive support to navigate this space.
Learn more about the Volunteer experience in Namibia: 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
Peace Corps/Namibia welcomes couples. For programmatic reasons, your partner must apply and qualify for one of the following:
- Secondary Education Math Teacher
- Secondary Education Science Teacher
During Pre-Service Training and other training events, couples may be asked to share rooms with other Trainees and Peace Corps Volunteers, depending on availability of rooms. Though conditions of housing and communities will vary, couples will live together during service.
