Small Business Development Specialist

Special benefits

• Extensive language, technical, and intercultural training
• Hands-on, valuable international work experience
• Travel to and from country, housing and monthly living allowance, and full coverage of medical and dental needs during service

• Competitive advantage for federal hiring and opportunities to save on graduate degrees and other education programs
• Monthly accrued Volunteer service award (readjustment allowance) totaling $10,800 before taxes, with option to access for ongoing financial obligations

Key dates

Apply by
December 15, 2026

Know by
February 1, 2027

Depart on
July 11, 2027

Duration
2 years, plus 3 months training

About the project

Entrepreneurs-in-training and small business owners in Costa Rica are looking to build the skills needed to successfully launch or grow their social enterprises.

Despite the country's notable progress in social security, health care, and access to education, many communities-particularly those outside the Central Valley-continue to face localized poverty, high unemployment, and limited access to economic resources. Rural development associations, which serve as the first tier of community-driven development, often lack the strategic planning, organizational management, and project design skills needed to guide communities toward more effective resource allocation and sustainable economic growth. In addition, women and youth in these communities are disproportionately affected by these economic challenges due to lack of transportation, time, and fewer opportunities to develop relevant skills.

As a Small Business Development Specialist, you will train community members-particularly youth and women-on topics ranging from business planning and product design to financial management and marketing. Alongside your counterparts, you will help aspiring entrepreneurs gain the confidence and competencies needed to succeed. Your collective efforts will improve individual livelihoods, reduce poverty, and promote sustainable development.

Learn more about what Volunteers do in country by visiting our Costa Rica project page .

Requirements

Behavioral competencies

These competencies are essential for all service assignments and are assessed in the application and interview process:

1. Motivation for and commitment to service
2. Adaptability and open-mindedness
3. Problem solving and resourcefulness
4. Behavioral maturity and professionalism

Education/experience

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

Bachelor's degree in any business discipline.
OR
High school diploma or GED and four years of experience in business management.
Spanish language

Qualified candidates will meet one of the following criteria:

1. High school: Completed 4 years of Spanish coursework within the past 8 years
2. College: Completed Spanish Elementary II (e.g., 102, 1002) in the semester system (Elementary III in quarter system) within the past 6 years
3. College Level Examination Program (CLEP): Score 50-62 on the Spanish exam in the past 6 years
4. American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL): Score of Novice-High or Intermediate-Low on official Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in Spanish within the past 6 years
5. Native Spanish speaker