Community Environmental Conservation Promoter

Job Description
Panama is commonly referred to as "puente del mundo, corazón del universo" (bridge of the world, heart of the universe), and is a land of mixed realities. Its strategic geographic location influenced the construction of the canal, which accelerated immigration and contributed to Panama's diverse population. Panama is an international logistics, banking, and tourism hub. For this and other reasons, the isthmus holds distinct social and economic realities which impact structural inequalities.

Panama is connected to worldwide efforts to mitigate and adapt to the effects of environmental shocks and stressors by promoting sustainable development throughout the communities where Volunteers are invited to serve. In the Community Environmental Conservation (CEC) program, Volunteers collaborate with community members to assess environmental needs, promote environmental conservation practices, and support youth to develop life skills including self-awareness, critical thinking, creative thinking, decision-making, problem solving, effective communication, interpersonal relationships, and empathy. Volunteers also support environmental activities in the local school(s), collaborating with teachers and students to co-plan and co-facilitate environmental themes, as well as addressing the needs identified by community members through hands-on activities outside of the classroom.

Volunteers serve in communities located in areas of the country with high environmental conservation priorities related to protected areas, buffer zones, and important river watersheds, including the Panama Canal watershed. Volunteers collaborate with the community to strengthen environmental and youth groups (youth and adult) with a focus on their environmental needs.

Work partners and Volunteers co-develop identified opportunities for local youth in leadership and life skills, promote positive environmental stewardship, and encourage civic participation. Youth in leadership and life skills are the foundation of achieving environmental stewardship. Additionally, Volunteers support community-led after-school programs and youth in various activities, including the promotion of youth clubs, facilitation of environmental hands-on activities, and community environmental events.

Work partners and Volunteers co-develop environmental activities such as organic gardening, nursery/reforestation, and waste management, and promote the use of appropriate technologies like eco-stoves. In collaboration with strategic partners, Volunteers support the development of sustainable living strategies and techniques that promote conservation of the local ecosystem and natural resources.

During service, Peace Corps Panama provides learning experiences to strengthen Volunteers' general and technical competencies, such as: community conservation techniques, environmental adaptation, and positive youth development. Volunteers are expected to self-assess and self-evaluate the development of these competencies. This will positively impact the Volunteer's experience and service to the community.

The most important resource Volunteers will need to be successful is the ability to communicate ideas clearly and to develop strong interpersonal relationships. Creativity in using locally available resources will also be important. Volunteers must be prepared to be proactive, self-driven, and to motivate others.

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:

• Bachelor of Science/associate degree in forestry, Watershed Management, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Ecology, or other related fields

• 3 months experience working in environmental science, environmental education, or related fields.

• Experience leading non-formal environmental education activities, co-planning/co-teaching with teachers/ school personnel, working with youth groups, organizing, or initiating environmental awareness activities (e.g., Reduce, Reuse, Recycle campaigns)

• Experience working in one or more of the following: renewable energy, biology, marine biology, natural resources management, reforestation, organic gardening, waste management, agro-ecology.

• Experience teaching or facilitating activities outside of a school or classroom setting (camp, club, etc.)

• Experience with public speaking or facilitating classes/workshops/presentations

Living Conditions
Housing
Conservation Volunteers are placed in non-indigenous communities. Houses in Panama vary among communities and may include simple concrete block walls and cement floors; stilted wood houses; adobe structures with mud floors; and/or furnished apartments. Communities generally have basic utilities and infrastructure, including cell phone signal, treatable water, and sometimes electricity. The reliability of these services varies from community to community; and may be impacted by seasonal changes. All Volunteers receive training on how to treat their drinking water should they need to. Solar panels and other means to charge or run electronics can be acquired in Panama. Peace Corps Panama assesses each community before selection to ensure that basic health and safety criteria are met. Volunteers live with a host family during pre-service training and may live with a host family during their first three months of service. After three months, Volunteers may opt to live in pre-approved local housing that meets Peace Corps Panama's housing criteria.

Food and Diet
The Panamanian diet varies according to the region and the ethnic makeup of the population. Most often the diet consists of rice, beans, bananas or plantains, yucca (cassava), and corn. Rice and beans (kidney beans, lentils, and pigeon peas) is a staple dish. Corn is commonly served in a variety of ways, including ground, boiled, fried or even in stews. Sancocho is a traditional soup prepared with root vegetables and chicken. Most rural areas have many fruits available in certain seasons, including mangos, papayas, pineapples, avocados, oranges, and guanábanas (soursop). The availability of garden vegetables, such as tomatoes, sweet peppers, and cucumbers, varies according to the region and the season. The most common meats are chicken, pork, and beef, which are often deep-fried or stewed. Fish is available sporadically in coastal regions and riverside communities.

Panamanians frequently follow diets based on their region, culture, and seasonally available produce. Depending on the Volunteer's diet, they may be inclined to start a garden, plan for trips to larger cities to acquire products at supermarkets or adjust to locally available options. Larger towns and cities have at least one familiar chain restaurant..

Computer, Phone, and Internet Access
Host communities generally have reliable cell phone service, though it might be a 10-minute walk to reach. The availability of internet access (Wi-Fi) will vary in speed and reliability depending on the geographic location of the community. Volunteers may access Wi-Fi through the local public school, visit a community internet center, or visit a private internet café in a larger town. In Panama City, Volunteers have access to Wi-Fi, desktop computers and printers at the Peace Corps Panama office. Peace Corps Panama does not provide Volunteers with a cell phone or data plan but does provide all Volunteers with a SIM card on arrival. Many cheap data plans are available in Panama. Many Volunteers bring an unlocked cell phone from the United States or buy one in country. Should Volunteers choose to bring electronics, it is the Volunteers responsibility to maintain and insure them. Be aware that service providers in Panama do not support phones with eSIMs. Also, currently serving Volunteers have reported that newer iPhone models have difficulties connecting to local phone data signals, causing them to purchase another phone model.

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