Wellness and Nutrition Educator

Looking for a way to encourage healthy behaviors in a rural community? If so, a health center in Togo is waiting for you!

Togo has made progress in improving health care, especially for mothers and children, and in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). But many people—especially women in rural areas—still do not use available health services. Nearly 60% of births happen outside the health system, which increases the risk of death during childbirth. Babies are also at high risk, and many children under the age of five experience poor growth because of chronic malnutrition. Rural clinics often struggle with insufficient staff and supplies to both educate families and support clinic services.

As a Wellness and Nutrition Educator, you will work with community health workers to support families to adopt healthier habits. This includes encouraging pregnant women to seek prenatal care, helping parents monitor their children’s growth, promoting nutritious diets, and teaching good hygiene and malaria prevention. You may also work with the youth at schools or in clubs to teach practical life skills. Your collaborative role will help community members make informed decisions for their health.

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).

After living with a host family during training, Volunteers will move to a rural community where they can expect a private space within a larger compound. Housing across the Centrale, Kara, Maritime, and Plateaux regions will feature a bedroom, living area/kitchen, bathroom or latrine, secure doors, and windows with mosquito screens. A gas stove, propane tank, and safety equipment will be provided.

Develop transferrable skills in community engagement, participatory development, and project management.
Gain hands-on experience with community health and nutrition in Africa.
Learn French from skilled Language and Cross-Culture Facilitators.

Identify community assets and needs for improved health and nutrition.
Support organizations in strengthening staff skills, workflows, and program operations.
Facilitate educational talks and cooking demonstrations that promote nutritious diets using locally available ingredients.
Conduct educational sessions that highlight the importance of maternal, newborn, and child health care.
Promote improved hygiene practices, access to clean water, and environmental sanitation to reduce diarrheal diseases.
Support community-led malaria prevention efforts.
Facilitate youth clubs that provide culturally appropriate health education and life skill development.

You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as facilitating English conversation clubs or a tree-planting project.

As a Wellness and Nutrition Educator, you will be trained on antenatal care and safe delivery practices, growth monitoring and anthropometry, as well as maternal and child nutrition. Peace Corps/Togo will teach you French to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community. You will also receive language resources and learn Ewe, Kabye, Bassar, Tem, and/or Ikposso.

After 9 weeks of training, you will move to a rural community where you will collaborate with health centers, schools, to assess needs and propose solutions.