About this role
Project Description
Are you a problem solver passionate about restoring forests and promoting stewardship? Communities across Zambia are looking for dedicated individuals to help them reduce deforestation, revitalize degraded lands, and support environmental adaptation and resilience.
Zambia’s vital miombo woodlands face severe pressure from small-scale farming, charcoal production, and climate shocks like droughts. Communities are embracing nature-based solutions to protect natural resources, and you can lend a hand.
As an Environmental Specialist, you will work with farmers, community leaders, and the Forestry Department to build natural resource management capacity from the ground up. With your counterparts, you will work on projects such as building community tree nurseries, introducing soil enrichment techniques, empowering youth and community leaders through environmental education, and supporting households with income generating and resource conservation projects like honey production and eco-stoves. Put your purpose, passion, and skills to work in Zambia.
Required Skills
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 4 years of full-time post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).
Living Conditions
During pre-service training, Trainees live with a Zambian host family in a rural community for 10 weeks. Throughout this period, they hone the skills and competencies needed to live and work effectively in their assigned site.
After training, Volunteers reside in a rural community in an independent house but on a family compound. Volunteers use bicycles to get around their host community and access water and electricity in the same manner as their neighbors. In most cases, solar power is used for lighting and to charge electronic devices; water is collected from a borehole or well and treated; and mobile and internet access is available intermittently.
Job Highlights
Build hands‑on skills in nature‑based solutions while supporting communities to restore forests, improve food security, and strengthen resilience.
Gain real‑world experience facilitating environmental education sessions, leading community assessments, and supporting sustainable livelihood initiatives.
Build lasting friendships through cultural exchange and community engagement.
Activities
Conduct community assessments to identify environmental and livelihood priorities.
Train community members in nature‑based solutions such as agroforestry, soil and water conservation, and composting.
Facilitate environmental education sessions on natural resource management in schools or with community groups.
Train households and farming groups in improved agricultural and nutrition‑sensitive practices.
Support community members to design and implement action plans addressing natural resource challenges.
Strengthen business skills for eco‑friendly livelihood activities such as beekeeping, nurseries, or fish farming.
Guide community groups in planning and managing community‑led development projects.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as cooking demonstrations and nutrition workshops.
Training
As an Environmental Specialist, you will be trained in technical topics such as agroforestry and drought resilient farming. Your training will include topics such as nutrition-sensitive agriculture, eco-friendly livelihoods, and community-led action plan development, preparing you to support your community in sustainable land management, food security, and long-term environmental adaptation and resilience. You will learn a local language and receive intercultural training to help you comfortably live in and connect with your community.
After 10 weeks of pre‑service training, you will move to a rural community to collaborate with the Forestry Department staff, farmers, and households. You will work together to assess needs and develop solutions based on community-driven priorities and evidence-based best practices.