Community Health Extension Agent

Health facilities and clinics in Senegal are looking to improve maternal and child health in rural communities, and you can lend a hand.

Senegal has a network of over 2,400 health huts and a workforce of over 20,000 community health workers today. Despite these impressive numbers, communities still need support to improve the quality of care and become more self-sufficient. In 2025, the rate of infant mortality decreased from 30.2 deaths per 1,000 births to about 24.4 per 1,000. Progress has been also made to reduce under-five mortality rates. However, the Ministry of Health aims to promote accountability within the local community to further reduce the number of women dying from childbirth and infant mortality through high-quality care. The government, therefore, has requested support to promote the monitoring of infant growth rates and provide training to new mothers on best practices in infant care.

As a Community Health Extension Agent, you will collaborate with local health workers to promote healthy lifestyles and strengthen available health services. Together, you will encourage pregnant women to seek prenatal care.

Associate degree in any field and at least two years of full-time, post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).
OR
Bachelor's degree in any field.
OR
High school diploma or GED and four years of full-time, post-high school work (from any combination of roles).

All Volunteers live with host families, which creates a sense of belonging and supports integration. Many Volunteer homes do not have electricity and get their water from a community pump or well. Volunteers are assigned sites in the regions of Kolda, Diourbel, Louga, Saint Louis, Thies, Tambacounda, Fatick, Kaffrine, and Kaolack.

Increase the quality of and local access to essential infant and child health services.
Learn and practice skills for promoting maternal and child health in West Africa.
Live within the warm and welcoming culture of Senegal.

Facilitate workshops for health workers on effective planning, governance, and integrated health services delivery
Mentor health workers on soft skills to improve the provision of health services
Facilitate youth clubs focused on life skills development
Join home visits to promote healthy pregnancy and newborn health practices
Promote practices that keep children under 5 healthy at caregiver group meetings

You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as English clubs or school gardens.

As a Community Health Extension Agent, you will be trained on how the Senegalese health system functions, malnutrition-associated diseases, health screening tools, and illness prevention strategies. Peace Corps/Senegal will teach you Wolof, Pulaar, Sereer, or Mandinka 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 health workers at local health centers. You will assess the local needs and develop solutions based on a process for participatory analysis.