Agroforestry Program Specialist

Looking to share your agriculture or forestry expertise with Nepal’s next generation of innovators?
Tribhuwan University, Nepal’s primary university, is looking for professionals to support skill-building efforts among students and faculty at the university’s agriculture and forestry institutes. Campus deans and chief officials identified a critical need to strengthen knowledge related to academic research, including but not limited to proposal and report writing, sampling techniques, data collection practices, and statistical tools for data analysis. The aim is to produce more skilled graduates for rural extension services; improve the university’s capacity to teach modern agriculture and forestry practices and technologies; enhance instructors’ skills in practical, hands-on teaching and research-based, field-focused methods; and to increase student access to academic and professional opportunities.
As an Agroforestry Program Specialist, you will collaborate with staff to support the students design research projects, improve their English, and learn digital skills. Alongside the campus staff, you will identify and implement solutions to improve the nascent research facilities and laboratories.

A master’s degree in agriculture, agriculture economics, statistics, research techniques and information science, chemistry, microbiology, forestry, environmental sciences, natural resources management, or other laboratory sciences.

The Volunteer will live in approved housing within the campus or near the assigned campus in the form of a rented apartment, guest house, or dormitory with access to basic amenities and grocery markets. While Volunteers can expect their own room or apartment, privacy is limited with communal-style living. Multiple Volunteers assigned to one campus may share multi-bedroom flats. Homes in Nepal are generally made of bricks, mud, or cement and have passed earthquake-safe inspections conducted by the Peace Corps staff. Public transportation and internet access are readily available.

Develop transferrable skills supporting an academic research organization in a new country.
Make a positive impact by strengthening local agriculture and forestry expertise.
Foster connections between academic research communities in Nepal and the U.S.

Assess ongoing research activities and identify the priorities for student-led research activities.
Support skill-building programs for students on technical writing, academic integrity, and research dissemination.
Design standard research protocols for prioritized research activities.
Facilitate trainings or workshops on research design and implementation.
Provide on-site mentoring and coaching to students, including constructive feedback on research progress and findings.
Provide feedback and editing support for student master’s and doctoral theses where appropriate.
Teach selected courses at the bachelor’s or master’s level within subject-matter expertise.
Provide guidance and support for research grant proposals submitted by the campus or dean’s office.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the campus’s interests and priorities, such as developing forestry museum exhibits or supporting a local public school.

After a 2-week orientation on topics such as health and safety, you will move to your assigned campus location along with a Peace Corps Language and Cultural Facilitator (LCF) who will be available to assist for up to 10 days as you meet university staff and acclimate to your new home.
Peace Corps/Nepal will equip you with Nepali language resources and you may work with a local tutor who can help you build basic language skills to connect with the community.