Entrepreneurship and Small Business Advisor

Project Description

Calling all entrepreneurship enthusiasts and aspiring youth-leadership facilitators! Panama's Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA) is seeking support to strengthen rural and Indigenous youth organizations interested in expanding their capacity to market and sell agricultural products.

Across the Veraguas province, rural and Indigenous youth face limited economic opportunities and significant barriers to entering local markets. Many communities depend on agriculture, yet young producers often lack the organizational skills, marketing knowledge, and confidence needed to commercialize their products. Recognizing this challenge, MIDA has identified youth integration into productive rural economies as a national priority. Through its Department of Rural Development, MIDA aims to bridge this gap by organizing youth groups, encouraging entrepreneurship, and promoting projects such as agro-tourism, agro-industry, food production, crafts, and cultural preservation.

As the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Advisor, you will collaborate with rural youth organizations to strengthen their marketing and ultimately increase profitability. In the short term, youth will gain practical skills to organize, plan, and promote their products more effectively. In the long term, these strengthened youth groups can boost local economies, create sustainable livelihood opportunities, and contribute to greater community stability by supporting young people to build viable futures in their own regions. Your supportive role will enable the next generation of leaders, contributing to long-term economic resilience in Veraguas province and across Panama.

Required Skills

Bachelor's degree in business, administration, marketing, entrepreneurship, or business education.
AND
Two or more years of experience working at a startup/social enterprise or running a small business.

Living Conditions

The Volunteer will live in the city of Santiago, which has a population of approximately 100,000 and is the capital of Veraguas province. The Volunteer can expect to live in independent housing throughout their service with regular cellular service, electricity, and water (although the reliability of these utilities may vary). Houses often feature concrete walls, tile floors, and a corrugated tin roof. Public transportation is available to get around the city.

Activities

Identify strengths, challenges, and training needs with local youth organizations.

Develop a work plan with MIDA staff outlining goals, tasks, and marketing activities.

Create a training plan focused on improving production, marketing, and value-added skills.

Facilitate workshops that build youth capacity in leadership, organization, and basic business skills.
Guide youth groups as they plan and practice marketing and value-added activities for their products

Support youth organizations in connecting with local, district, and provincial markets.

Assist groups in organizing small fairs or promotional events to sell their agricultural products.

Monitor and evaluate progress with partner institutions to strengthen long-term sustainability.

You may also work on additional projects that meet the community's interests and priorities, such as supporting local cooperatives and helping to organize agricultural fairs.

Training

After a 2-week orientation on topics such as health and safety, intercultural communication, Peace Corps' approach to development, and Panamanian work culture, you will move to an urban community where you will collaborate with staff at MIDA to assess the local needs and develop a work plan in line with their established goals.

Peace Corps/Panama will equip you with Spanish language resources and you may work with a local tutor who can help you improve your language skills.

Job Highlights

Gain hands-on experience in community-based marketing, business planning, and value-added production alongside rural youth organizations.
Develop transferrable skills in facilitation, project design, and participatory training.
Build meaningful relationships with youth in Panama's rural communities while experiencing the country's rich culture and traditions.