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Connect with the Peace Corps
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Apply to the Peace Corps
The application process begins by selecting a service model and finding an open position.
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If you are flexible in where you serve for the two-year Peace Corps Volunteer program, our experts can match you with a position and country based on your experience and preferences.
Serve where you’re needed mostBusiness Development Advisor
Community Economic Development
Job highlights
- Learn a local language from dedicated Language and Cross-Cultural Facilitators
- Gain an understanding of business challenges and viable solutions in southern Africa
- Attend cultural events, such as elaborate weddings, to learn about the country’s traditions
Namibia • Africa
In partnership with: Town councils, nonprofit organizations, youth clubs
Applications are now closed. View current openings.
Apply by
March 15, 2026Know by
May 1, 2026Depart on
September 5, 2026Duration
2 years, plus 3 months trainingAbout the project
Namibia is looking for the recent business graduate or finance whiz to support local entrepreneurs-in-the-making.
Namibia faces a 37 percent unemployment rate, with youth unemployment at 44 percent. Low high school and technical school completion rates mean that formal employment is out of reach for most young people. For many, entrepreneurship is the only viable path to economic independence, but starting and sustaining a business requires skills, confidence, and support.
As a Business Development Advisor, you will play a vital role in closing this gap. You’ll provide training and mentorship in digital literacy, employability skills, and income-generating activities, equipping aspiring entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses that create jobs and reduce poverty. Your work will enable individuals to break cycles of systemic poverty and foster economic resilience in their communities. This opportunity comes at an exciting time for Namibia—with a booming tourism industry and the potential for an oil boom—creating even greater demand for strong business skills and innovative solutions.
Learn more about what Volunteers do in country by visiting our Namibia project page.
Required skills
Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any business discipline
OR
5 years professional experience in business management
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 Namibia
How you and the community will make an impact together:
Plan, coordinate, and facilitate workshops on basic business skills, financial literacy, computer skills, and employability skills
Provide one-on-one mentorship to prospective and existing entrepreneurs
Organize and host events, such as pitch competitions, market days, and networking events
Train youth at vocational institutes and women’s groups
Collaborate with municipal and regional government offices to increase accessibility to services
Teach practical skills to youth in vocational schools, women’s groups, and informal sector entrepreneurs like small business owners and street vendors
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as conducting mock interviews and facilitating an after-school computer club.
After living with a host family during pre-service training, Volunteers will live in independent apartments or houses with modern amenities, such as a basic refrigerator, basic stove, and shower, near their work site. The modest housing has indoor plumbing and electricity. Volunteers will live in urban or peri urban centers located in the country’s Zambezi, Khomas, Erongo. Kavango East, Oshana, Karas, Omusati, Otjozondjupa and Ohangwena regions.
Learn more about the living conditions, including detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics on our Namibia country page. You can also delve into stories about local communities by reading our blog or Volunteer stories.
Meet a Volunteer in Namibia
Kajol G.
Economic Empowerment Volunteer
"Peace Corps service gives you two full years of time for yourself – to rediscover your hobbies, refresh your mindfulness, and refocus on your present moments. It has given me the time and space for unmatched personal growth."
See full Volunteer profile
As a Business Development Advisor, you will be trained in entrepreneurship, leadership, and digital skills. You will practice and discuss how to plan an event, promote digital skills, and provide training in business skills. Peace Corps/Namibia will teach you Oshikwanyama, Oshindonga, Otjiherero, Rukwangali, Silozi, Afrikaans, or Khoekhoegowab to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community.
After 10 weeks of training, you will move to a town where you will collaborate with your colleagues to assess the local needs and develop solutions.
Only heterosexual couples can be accepted for this program. Each person must apply separately and must qualify for a position in either the same or a different sector than their partner. Couples will live together during training but may separate occasionally for field-based activities. Couples who are selected for the same sector will live together but work with different local partners which may be in the same community or in neighboring communities (not more than 30 minutes apart). Cohabitating couples are highly encouraged to present themselves as married throughout service due to cultural expectations.
To learn more about serving as a couple in Namibia, visit the country page.
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 Namibia. Review information on medical clearance and legal clearance to learn about the process.
