Youth Development Facilitator

Post

Morocco

Required Skills

Qualified candidates will have an expressed interest in working directly with adolescents (10-14) and youth (15-24) and one or more of the following:

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Education, Youth Development, Applied Behavioral Science or related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Social Studies, Psychology, Education, Youth
Development, Applied Behavioral Science or other related field and at least 3 months of experience working with youth and/or families.
• 3 years’ of professional experience working with youth and/or families from under-resourced communities.

Desired Skills

• Formal or informal classroom teaching experience, particularly English teaching.
• Experience working with youth ages 12-29 in after-school activities or other areas of non-formal education. Highly competitive applicants will have experience with youth in summer camps, clubs, sports, music, art, theater, volunteerism, and service-learning.
• Experience using appropriate technology to accomplish work virtually, including technology to support remote learning and youth programming.
• Demonstrated success working in unstructured or informal assignments; experience applying organizational skills in a community.

Living Conditions

Morocco, a country known for its rich history, unique traditions, and wonderful cuisine, offers diverse living conditions for Peace Corps Volunteers. Depending on the region and climate, Volunteers may live in desert areas, mountainous regions, or rural villages. Accommodations vary from apartments to houses, similar to those of local families. As members of their communities, Volunteers will experience the same utility availability as their neighbors, including electricity, hot water, and internet, but should not expect consistent connectivity.

During the 10-week Pre-Service Training (PST), Volunteers will stay with a host family to foster community integration and language acquisition. This homestay experience continues for at least one month after arriving at their permanent communities. Living with host families offers invaluable insights into local culture, traditions, and customs, and helps Volunteers build strong connections within their communities.

Morocco is a traditional, family-centered society with hierarchical and patriarchal leanings. Volunteers must possess mature interpersonal skills, the willingness to suspend judgment around traditional gender and religious norms and be willing to adapt to local social customs. It is essential to navigate these cultural dynamics with sensitivity and respect.

As foreigners, Volunteers may attract significant attention in their communities. Same-sex relationships are illegal, and discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity are considered taboo. Volunteers must be discreet about their personal identities within their host communities. All Peace Corps Morocco Volunteers receive training on measures to mitigate and respond to harassment.

Volunteers of Color, particularly Black and Asian-American Volunteers, often experience high levels of unwanted attention, harassment, and discrimination. Black Volunteers report significant harassment due to prevailing attitudes toward West African immigrants. Asian-American Volunteers face additional challenges, including discrimination linked to the pandemic. Volunteers who do not fit the stereotypical image of an American (white skin, blond hair, blue eyes) may be asked probing questions around their family history and “origin.” Conversely, Volunteers of Color that may be “Moroccan passing” such as some Arab and Latino PCVs, note that they do not experience similar levels of attention.

Despite these challenges, Peace Corps is committed to creating a supportive environment for all Volunteers. Peace Corps Morocco has a variety of support structures, including a Volunteer Support Network, ensuring that Volunteers can confidentially discuss their concerns with peers and staff. Volunteers of diverse backgrounds have successfully served in Morocco, contributing to the richness of the Peace Corps community.

Living conditions in Morocco require flexibility, creativity, and a proactive approach to identifying and addressing community needs. Volunteers must be prepared for physical and social demands, including transportation limitations and the need to adapt to local modes of travel, which may include walking long distances, using pick-up trucks, vans, or collective taxis. Personal appearance is important, and Volunteers are expected to dress to local standards, typically involving clean, modest clothing appropriate for their roles.

Peace Corps Morocco continues to evolve its activities and seeks Volunteers who are eager to embrace these challenges. For additional information, please visit the [Peace Corps Morocco website](https://www.peacecorps.gov/morocco/).

Language Requirement

None

Language Skills Additional Information

Language is an essential component of volunteer training. Through PST, Trainees will learn Moroccan Arabic (Darija), which is spoken by most Moroccans. They will have the chance to pick up more local Amazigh languages (Tarifit, Tashlhit and Tamazight) later in their service depending on where they will be serving. All Trainees are expected to achieve an Intermediate- Low level of proficiency by the end of Pre-Service Training. Volunteers are expected to build on their language skills throughout the service; ongoing language support is available for them in the form of tutoring and additional online language training.

Primary Sector

Youth in Development

Accepts Couples

Yes

Couples Comments

The Peace Corps works to foster safe and productive assignments for same-sex couples, and same-sex couples are not placed in countries where homosexual acts are criminalized. At this time, Peace Corps Morocco is only able to place heterosexual couples who are legally married at the time of their arrival to Morocco. During the application process recruiters and placement officers work closely with same-sex couple applicants to understand current placement opportunities. For more information please visit: https://www.peacecorps.gov/faqs/lgbtq/.” Due to Morocco’s national laws and potential safety and security implications relating to relationships outside of marriage, domestic partners who are not legally married also may not serve together as a couple with Peace Corps Morocco.

Heterosexual married couples will live together for the duration of Peace Corps service. During Pre-Service Training and for a time in their permanent communities, couples will live together in a homestay environment.

After the initial mandatory homestay, couples may choose to move into independent housing. Please note that married couples may have separate work assignments with different organizations but will be placed within the same community.

Language Requirements Information

There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position.

Country

Morocco

Assignment Length (months)

24

Accepting Applications?

No

Program

PCV

TEFL certificate program

No

Post to LinkedIn?

No