Agriculture and Environment Extension Agent

Interested in supporting a community’s food and nutrition security through strategic agricultural practices? Communities in Zambia are looking for you.  

In Zambia, flood and drought are the biggest disrupters to livelihoods of citizens and the domestic economy in recent years. Recent droughts have increased people’s vulnerability to food shortages, thereby exacerbating an increase in the number of children under five with stunted growth due to chronic malnutrition. Communities in Zambia are interested in learning and applying agroforestry techniques to mitigate future floods and droughts, which will contribute to smallholder famers’ livelihood resilience.

As an Agriculture and Environment Extension Agent, you will collaborate with community members to boost local food and nutrition security through sustainable agriculture. Alongside your colleagues, you will apply agroforestry techniques to improve flood control, natural resource management, and the soil’s health and stability.

Qualified candidates will have an expressed interest in working in agriculture or forestry and a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any field.

A bachelor’s degree is mandatory for all candidates as a requirement for a Zambian work permit.

Volunteers typically live on a large housing compound, but have their own living structure, cooking area, private bathing area, and latrine.

Gain valuable experience applying agroforestry technologies to strengthen food security
Experience the diverse cultural traditions of a country with over 70 ethnic groups
Build lifelong connections with community members and colleagues

How you and the community will make an impact together:
Conduct a needs assessment
Promote the incorporation of agroforestry technologies in the farming system
Strengthen soil and water management practices.
Highlight useful gardening and tree planting techniques.
Conduct training on planning, recordkeeping, and marketing for farmers.

You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as cooking demonstrations and nutrition workshops.

As an Agriculture and Environment Extension Agent, you will be trained in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) best practices and technical agroforestry techniques. Peace Corps/Zambia will teach you one of the country’s 45 local languages to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community.  

After 10 weeks of training, you will move to a rural community where you will collaborate with schools, community groups, local government partners, and individual households. You will work with the community to assess the local needs and develop solutions based on available resources and agroforestry best practices.