Washington, D.C., April 8, 1998—The Peace Corps is seeking more than 80 professionals to fill overseas volunteer assignments as non-governmental organization (NGO) advisers. As with all Peace Corps assignments, the volunteers would serve for two years.
"Typically, when Americans think of the Peace Corps, they think of young people teaching English or working on agriculture projects in Africa or South America," said Monica Mills, manager of Peace Corps\' Washington, D.C. Regional Recruiting Office. "While these remain staples of the Peace Corps experience, one of the fastest growing sectors of international development in general and for the Peace Corps in particular, is assisting in the development of non-governmental organizations."
These programs are taking place across the globe, but they are most prevalent in the newly formed independent states of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Countries of service include Romania, Russia, Ukraine, South Africa, Haiti, Jordan and Mongolia.
As a Peace Corps adviser, American professionals work to build effective organizations by working with key decision makers of local non-profit groups that may focus on the environment, business development or urban youth. Advisers mentor international association staff in the areas of strategic planning, networking, organizational development, program implementation, and grant-writing.
"Using their wealth of experience, America\'s association executives are some of the most successful advisers to non-governmental organizations throughout the world," Mills said.
Currently, there are about 6,500 Peace Corps volunteers working in 84 countries around the world in the areas of business/non-profit development, the environment, education, health and nutrition. Since 1961, more than 150,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps.