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Forestry and Environment Change Agent

Peace
Corps

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COUNTRY
Senegal
REGION
Africa
SECTOR
Environment
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
None

ACCEPTS COUPLES
Yes
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
18

APPLY BY
Jan. 1, 2018
KNOW BY
March 1, 2018
DEPART BY
Sept. 23, 2018

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Before You Apply

You can only have one active Peace Corps Volunteer application, so choose a
position that best fits your skills and interest. You have the opportunity to tell us if
youd like to be considered for other openings and more about the ones that interest
you most!

Project Description
The purpose of the Peace Corps Senegal Agroforestry program is to promote agroforestry as
a means to increase agricultural production and generate income. To this effect, you will focus
on:

Promoting and planting multi-purpose tree species that enhance soil fertility, reduce erosion,
and protect fields against animals

Fruit tree orchard establishment or management to produce quality fruit (mainly mango,
citrus, and cashews) to be sold in local markets or consumed by families

Gardening

As an agroforestry extension agent, your main role will be to assist local farmers with technical
skills they need to establish their own tree nurseries and then out plant the seedlings
produced. To this end, you and your host country colleague will organize formal trainings, one-
on-one instruction, and demonstrations for other farmers.

There are other techniques and secondary projects (e.g. composting) that you will be able to
promote to help enhance soil fertility and wood conservation. You will monitor and evaluate
the work conducted by the farmers you work with through field visits and surveys, and report
your findings.

You don't need to be a forestry expert to be successful; we will train you on the basic technical
skills you will need. Your main role is as a facilitator, a catalyst, a liaison, and a resource person
for the farmers. This will require a great deal of interpersonal and integration skills.

Required Skills
Qualified candidates will have an expressed interest in working in agriculture 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
The most competitive candidates will have French language background, particularly speaking
skills, as well as general public speaking skills.

Required Language Skills

There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position. Please take a moment to
explore the Language Comments section below to find out more on how local language(s) will
be utilized during service.

Additional Language Information

Some French speaking skills are desired as Peace Corps Senegal provides no French training.
You will first learn survival Wolof, and will spend the subsequent weeks of Pre-Service
Training learning the local language of your community.

Living Conditions

You will have your own house (or room with private entrance) within the compound of a host
family. This set up is ideal to allow you a certain amount of privacy with the benefit of
language and cultural immersion and added security provided by a host family. Your room or
hut will be made of mud bricks or cement, with a grass, wood, or metal roof and will include a
private latrine and shower area.

In most cases, you will have neither electricity nor running water. Most water comes from wells,
which must be treated before drinking.

Staple foods in rural Senegal consist of rice, millet and corn with vegetables and fresh or dried
fish. Meat is a rarity. Senegalese dishes are tasty, but some Volunteers find the diet
challenging, as there is usually less variety than some Americans may be accustomed to.
Vegetarians have been able to make arrangements to maintain their diet, though a vegetarian
diet in Senegal can be monotonous. (You will have opportunities to get into town now and
then for something different.) Most first year Volunteers eat meals with their Senegalese
family.

Communication systems are improving throughout Senegal. You will have a cell phone
(though the cell phone reception may not be reliable), and most district centers are starting to
set up Internet access.

Learn more about the Volunteer experience inSenegal: Get detailed information on culture,
communications, housing, and safety including crime statistics [PDF] in order to make a
well-informed decision about serving.

Medical Considerations in Senegal

Senegal may not be able to support Volunteers with the following medical conditions:
asthma, including mild and childhood; insulin-dependent diabetes; gasteroenterology;
requiring a psychiatrist for psychotropic medications support; seizure disorder; ongoing
counseling.

The following medication(s) are not permitted for legal or cultural reasons: none identified.

Volunteers who should avoid the following food(s) may not be able to serve: peanuts and
shellfish.

After arrival in Senegal, Peace Corps provides and applicants are required to have an annual
flu shot, to take daily or weekly medication to prevent malaria, and to receive mandatory
immunizations.
 Before you apply, please also review Important Medical Information for Applicants [PDF] to
learn about other health conditions typically not supported in Peace Corps service.

Does this sound like the position for you?

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Learn what it's like to serve in Senegal

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