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Cooperative Development Specialist

Agriculture

Job highlights

Jamaica • North America
In partnership with: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Mining (MOAFM) Agro-Investment Corporation

Learn about service in Jamaica

Applications are now closed. View current openings.

Special benefits

Hands-on, valuable international work experience
Travel to and from country, housing and monthly living allowance, and full coverage of medical and dental needs during service

Competitive advantage for positions at Peace Corps and opportunities to save on graduate degrees and other education programs
Monthly accrued Volunteer service award (readjustment allowance) totaling $6,000 before taxes, with option to access for ongoing financial obligations

Key dates

Apply by

November 15, 2025

Know by

January 1, 2026

Depart on

June 1, 2026

Duration

12 months

Description and qualifications

About the project

The Agro-Investment Corporation (Agro-Invest) in Jamaica has requested the support of a Peace Corps Response Volunteer (PCRV) to serve as a Cooperative Development Specialist. A key aspect of Agro-Invest’s strategy is promoting cluster farming to enhance efficiency and productivity. By fostering collective farming models, Agro-Invest aims to maximize resource use, expand market opportunities, and strengthen the agricultural value chain. The primary objective of this project is to establish and strengthen farming cooperatives within the targeted Agro Parks and Production Zones by providing technical support, capacity building, and facilitating market linkages.

The PCRV will collaborate with a Agro-Invest team member to enhance farmers' knowledge of cooperative governance, financial management, and sustainable farming practices while ensuring compliance with the Cooperative of Friendly Societies guidelines. The PCRV will have key responsibilities including capacity building & training, facilitating cooperative formation & structuring, and business development & strategic planning.

Please note that departure dates and other details of this project could change as a result of partner needs or other external factors. Candidates selected for this position will be arriving in Jamaica together as a group, so while the departure dates for the whole group could change, dates cannot be changed for individual candidates.

Learn more about what Volunteers do in country by visiting our Jamaica project page.

Required skills

Qualified candidates will have the following criteria:

A bachelor’s degree in an agriculture related discipline, Agribusiness, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.

At least 2 years experience in cooperative development, agricultural extension services, or rural development.

Strong knowledge of cooperative governance and the Cooperative of Friendly Societies guidelines.

Ability to develop training materials and conduct capacity-building initiatives.

Proficiency in project management and strategic planning.

Experience working with farming communities and understanding of agricultural value chains.

SPECIAL NOTICE ABOUT CITIZENSHIP: Candidates who are dual citizens of Jamaica and the U.S. are not eligible to serve with Peace Corps Jamaica. Volunteer safety is of paramount importance, and the protections of U.S. citizenship promote Volunteer safety. If anyone holding dual U.S. and Jamaican citizenship were to face a legal, safety, or other emergency situation in Jamaica, the Peace Corps' ability to intervene would be limited. If you hold citizenship with both the U.S. and Jamaica, we encourage you to look at other opportunities with Peace Corps.

Language: There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position.

Required behavioral competencies

These competencies are essential for all service assignments and are assessed in the application and interview process:

Motivation for and commitment to service

Adaptability and open-mindedness

Problem solving and resourcefulness

Behavioral maturity and professionalism

Photos from Jamaica

On Labor Day in Jamaica, a Volunteer works with students, teachers, and parents to create a "literacy garden" out of recycled tires at the local primary school. Flowers and herbs will be planted in the tires.

A Turkish-American Volunteer gives a presentation to Jamaican fifth graders about Turkish culture.

Two primary school students read books in a Jamaican library that is supported by Volunteers.

Young Khahil gets a closer look at scallion and thyme plants while adult farmers learn about sustainable farm practices at a demonstration farm in Jamaica.

Response Volunteer Dane works as a marine ecologist alongside local scientists to survey the health of coral reefs in Jamaica.

Volunteer Peri helps a young student learn the alphabet at a primary school in Jamaica.

Primary students take a break from studying to visit with two Volunteers and a Peace Corps staff member in Jamaica.

Activities

How you and the community will make an impact together:

Living conditions

Learn more about the living conditions, including detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics on our Jamaica country page. You can also delve into stories about local communities by reading our blog or Volunteer stories.

Meet a Volunteer in Jamaica

Sophia Z.

Agriculture Advisor

"I do my best to remain flexible as the organization navigates the many challenges they face, rather than pushing through projects and priorities that may not serve their changing needs."

See full Volunteer profile

Training

Couples information

To learn more about serving as a couple in Jamaica, visit the country page.

Next steps

Application process

From application to departure takes around nine months. Learn about the application process for Volunteer opportunities.

Medical/legal clearance

You will need to be cleared medically and legally in order to serve in Jamaica. Review information on medical clearance and legal clearance to learn about the process.