Business Advising Agriculture Promoter

Post

Panama

Required Skills

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

• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any business discipline

OR

• 5 years professional experience in business management

Desired Skills

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

• Familiarity/experience with agriculture, gardens, and/or farm work
• Experience in leading through collaboration
• Experience teaching adults and children formally and informally
• Experience with public speaking or facilitating classes/workshops/presentations

Living Conditions

Community Locations
The SAS program works primarily with Ngäbe communities, an indigenous group from western Panama, although some Volunteers may be placed in non-indigenous (Latino) communities. Traveling to and from a community may require a 30–45-minute walk from the nearest bus stop. Many communities are spread out and might require long walks to coordinate and collaborate with work partners.

Housing
Houses in Panama vary and may include simple concrete block or plank walls with cement floors; stilted wood houses; or adobe or zinc structures with mud floors. Communities have basic utilities and infrastructure, including cell phone signal, treatable water within a short walk, and occasionally electricity. The reliability of these services may vary; and may be impacted by seasonal changes. All Volunteers receive training on how to treat their drinking water should they need to. Solar panels and other means to charge or run electronics can be acquired in Panama. Most homes have a simple pit latrine. Peace Corps Panama assesses each community and house to ensure that basic health and safety criteria are met.

Volunteers are required to live with a host family during their first three months of service. After three months, Volunteers may opt to live in pre-approved independent housing that meets Peace Corps Panama’s housing criteria.

Working Conditions
Volunteers work in a variety of locations, including farms that might be a mountainous 1-to-2-hour hike away, in local schools and gardens, under a tin-roofed “communal house” and in family homes and yards. During PST and throughout service, they will often do manual labor on farms to help integrate with the families that they serve and demonstrate new techniques.

Food and Diet
The Panamanian diet varies according to the region and the ethnic makeup of the population. Most often the diet consists of rice, beans, bananas or plantains, yuca, and corn. Rice and beans are a staple dish. Corn is commonly served in a variety of ways, including ground, boiled, or fried. Sancocho is a traditional soup prepared with root vegetables and chicken. Most rural areas have fruits and vegetable available only in certain seasons or regions, including mangos, papayas, pineapples, avocados, and citrus, tomatoes, sweet peppers, cucumbers or greens. The most common meats are chicken, pork, and beef, which are often deep-fried or stewed. Fish is available sporadically waterside communities. It is common to eat canned meats and fish.

Panamanians frequently follow diets based on their region, culture, and seasonally available produce. Depending on the Volunteer’s diet, they may be inclined to start a garden, plan for trips to larger cities to acquire products at supermarkets or adjust to locally available options. Larger towns and cities have at least one familiar, US restaurant.

Computer, Phone, and Internet
Volunteers generally have reliable network coverage, though it might be up to a 30-minute walk to reach. Internet speed and reliability will vary depending on the location of the community. Some Volunteers may access Wi-Fi through the local public school, a community hot spot, or visit a private internet cafe in a larger town. In Panama City, Volunteers may access Wi-Fi, desktop computers and printers at the Peace Corps Panama office.
Peace Corps Panama provides all Volunteers with a local SIM card. Many cheap data plans are available for purchase in Panama. Many Volunteers bring an unlocked cell phone from the United States or buy one in country. Should Volunteers choose to bring electronics, it is their responsibility to maintain and insure them. Be aware that service providers in Panama do not fully support phones with eSIMs or will charge extra, which will be at the Volunteers' expense. Also, currently serving Volunteers have reported that newer iPhone models have difficulties connecting to local phone and data signals, causing them to purchase another phone model.

Language Requirement

(PCV) Spanish 1

Primary Sector

Agriculture

Accepts Couples

Yes

Secondary Sector

Community Economic Development

Country

Panama