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Health Educator

Health

Job highlights

Learn the Albanian language from dedicated Language and Cross-Culture Facilitators and through an immersive experience.
Cultivate intercultural communication, leadership, program management, and classroom skills to support your professional goals.
Develop lasting relationships with host families, community members, and colleagues.

Albania • Europe
In partnership with: Ministry of Education, education-related government agencies, local schools

Learn about service in Albania

Apply by June 15, 2026

Special benefits

Extensive language, technical, and intercultural training
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 federal hiring and opportunities to save on graduate degrees and other education programs
Monthly accrued Volunteer service award (readjustment allowance) totaling $10,800 before taxes, with option to access for ongoing financial obligations

Key dates

Apply by

June 15, 2026

Know by

September 1, 2026

Depart on

January 15, 2027

Duration

2 years, plus 3 months training

Description and qualifications

About the project

If you are an individual with passion for working with youth, strengthening education, or promoting a healthy lifestyle, Albania has the perfect opportunity for you.

In Albania, many children and youth are growing up without the tools to manage their health effectively. Unhealthy eating habits, sedentary lifestyles, emotional stress, and exposure to harmful substances are increasingly common. These issues are rooted in limited access to comprehensive health education and influenced by cultural and socioeconomic factors. According to the Albanian Ministry of Health, 70% of the country’s disease burden is linked to lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise, blood pressure, and substance use. The Ministries of Health and Education recognize that encouraging children and youth to make healthier choices through school-based education is one of the most effective and sustainable strategies for improving public health outcomes nationwide. This school-based approach not only improves student wellbeing but also strengthens communities.

As a Health Educator, you will collaborate with community members to integrate health education and life skills into core subjects, equipping children and youth with the knowledge and skills to make informed lifestyle choices. As you collaborate, you will model interactive, student-centered methods for local teachers to adopt, strengthening the quality of instruction for all subjects.

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

Required skills

Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:

Bachelor's degree in any field.

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 Albania

This school won first prize in a "Zero Waste" competition in their region with the support of a Volunteer. Teachers, the director, and students present items they made from recyclable materials.

Eight months into her service, Volunteer Minju returned to visit the family who hosted her during pre-service training.

Volunteer Minju delivers an oral health hygiene lesson to fourth grade students.

A town on the western coast of Montenegro, by the Adriatic Sea.

A town in western Montenegro, located on the shore of the Adriatic Sea.

A traditional festival in Albania.

A scenic view of Albania.

This Volunteer helps support a girls' basketball camp.

Volunteer Nikole teaches alongside her counterpart Sonila in Albania.

Lezhë Castle overlooks the city of Lezhë in Albania. The city is one of Albania's longest continuously inhabited cities with about 2,400 years of recorded history.

Volunteer Maria helps coordinate a coding club at her school in Albania.

Volunteer Maria in the classroom with a coding club she supports in Albania.

Volunteer Ossian engages student in a debate club in Montenegro.

Local counterpart Selma helps students in a Montenegro classroom.

Local counterpart Selma teaches in a Montenegro classroom.

Volunteer Patricia teaches a class in Montenegro.

Volunteer Angela teaches class in Montenegro.

Activities

How you and the community will make an impact together:

Conduct a joint needs assessment with school staff, community members, and health service providers.
Plan and facilitate interactive classroom lessons and health sessions to build knowledge and skills in healthy behaviors.
Organize youth clubs and camps that promote healthy behaviors and life skills.
Facilitate community awareness activities on nutrition, hygiene, mental well-being, and positive youth development.
Implement school and community initiatives that engage youth in promoting health and well-being.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as extracurricular activities or computer coding camp for girls.

Living conditions

Volunteers will be placed throughout the country but often live in smaller underserved villages or towns. All Volunteers live with host families during their initial pre-service training and at least the first 6 months of their service. After this 6-month homestay period, the Volunteer may choose to remain with the host family if both parties agree or move into independent housing within the community. If there is no available independent housing, especially in rural areas, some Volunteers may stay with their host family or another host family for their entire 2-year service. Volunteers are provided a small space heater for their bedroom

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

Meet a Volunteer in Albania

Nikole M.

Health Educator

"Over the past two years, it’s been incredible to see my students embrace a new perspective on life. They’re now speaking up for each other, playing together, and challenging discrimination when they see it."

See full Volunteer profile

Training

As a Health Educator in Albania, you will be trained to support teachers and facilitate student learning. Peace Corps/Albania and Montenegro will teach you Albanian to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community. You will also receive supplemental language learning resources.

After 11 weeks of training, you will move to rural or semi-urban community, where you will collaborate with elementary, middle, or secondary schools. You will work with the community to assess local needs and develop solutions based on community needs and assets.

Couples information

No couples are accepted for this position.

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 Albania. Review information on medical clearance and legal clearance to learn about the process.

Does this sound like the opportunity for you?

Get started on your journey.

Apply by June 15, 2026