Youth Leadership Development Teacher

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
November 15, 2026

Know by
January 1, 2027

Depart on
June 19, 2027

Duration
2 years, plus 3 months training

About the project

Are you passionate about helping young people unlock their potential? Support Panamanian youth as they develop the skills and confidence to succeed academically, professionally, and personally.

Many young people in Panama are navigating socio-economic instability, limited access to structured growth opportunities, and low engagement in school and civic life. These challenges can make it difficult for the youth to imagine and pursue rewarding futures. While the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social Development have introduced several initiatives to increase youth leadership, employability, and civic participation, schools and communities need extra support to strengthen the country's long-term investment in its young people.

As a Youth Leadership Development Teacher, you will collaborate with teachers and youth service providers to support the youth to develop leadership and communication skills as well as explore pathways to future employment and civic engagement. Your impact will go beyond the individual youth you will work with; communities will benefit from engaged, motivated young leaders who are positioned to contribute to local initiatives and build a more resilient future for Panama.

Learn more about what Volunteers do in country by visiting our Panama 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:

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).
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