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WAVED Association in Panama has requested the support of a Peace Corps Response Volunteer (PCRV) to serve as a Management and Organizational Strengthening Specialist. Waved is a nonprofit organization based in Panama that works to empower youth through surf, education, and values. They provide a structured program that combines surfing lessons with academic reinforcement (English and Spanish reading), mindfulness, and ethical values, aiming to develop life skills, self-confidence, and community involvement in our students.
This project aims to develop and professionalize Waved’s volunteer management model. The PCRV will work closely with the Operations Manager to establish recruitment strategies, orientation systems, scheduling protocols, performance evaluation tools, and volunteer recognition processes. The Peace Corps Response Volunteer (PCRV) will help design and implement systems that align with Waved’s values, mission, and community-focused approach. The role includes a mentorship component to support the transfer of leadership to local staff.
Learn more about what Volunteers do in country by visiting our Panama project page.
Qualified candidates will have the following criteria:
BA/BS in relevant field including Social Science, Education, Business, Management and Organizational Development and;
3 or more years of technical expertise in organizational capacity development and training.
Experience supporting strategic planning, results-based management and reporting.
Strong interpersonal, team building, and communications skills.
Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/attitudinal change.
Professional experience in program management and/or monitoring and evaluation.
Language: Spanish
A. Completed 4 years of high school Spanish coursework in the past 8 years
B. Completed college-level Elementary II Spanish semester (Elementary III in quarter system) within the past 6 years
C. Score between 50-62 on the Spanish College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam in the past 6 years
D. Score Novice-High or Intermediate-Low on official American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in Spanish within the past 6 years
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
How you and the community will make an impact together:
Learn more about the living conditions, including detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics on our Panama country page. You can also delve into stories about local communities by reading our blog or Volunteer stories.
Sustainable Agriculture Extension Promoter
"This experience has been so transformative because there is so much power and joy in the collective. After 10 months at my site, I can confidently say that I have formed lifelong friendships."
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To learn more about serving as a couple in Panama, visit the country page.
From application to departure takes around nine months. Learn about the application process for Volunteer opportunities.
You will need to be cleared medically and legally in order to serve in Panama. Review information on medical clearance and legal clearance to learn about the process.