About this role
Health Educator
Project Description: If you are an individual with passion for working with youth, strengthening education, or promoting a healthy lifestyle, Albania has the perfect opportunity for you.
In Albania, many children and youth are growing up without the tools to manage their health effectively. Unhealthy eating habits, sedentary lifestyles, emotional stress, and exposure to harmful substances are increasingly common. These issues are rooted in limited access to comprehensive health education and influenced by cultural and socioeconomic factors. According to the Albanian Ministry of Health, 70% of the country’s disease burden is linked to lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise, blood pressure, and substance use. The Ministries of Health and Education recognize that encouraging children and youth to make healthier choices through school-based education is one of the most effective and sustainable strategies for improving public health outcomes nationwide. This school-based approach not only improves student wellbeing but also strengthens communities.
As a Health Educator, you will collaborate with community members to integrate health education and life skills into core subjects, equipping children and youth with the knowledge and skills to make informed lifestyle choices. As you collaborate, you will model interactive, student-centered methods for local teachers to adopt, strengthening the quality of instruction for all subjects.
Required Skills: Bachelor's degree in any field.
Living Conditions: Volunteers will be placed throughout the country but often live in smaller underserved villages or towns. All Volunteers live with host families during their initial pre-service training and at least the first 6 months of their service. After this 6-month homestay period, the Volunteer may choose to remain with the host family if both parties agree or move into independent housing within the community. If there is no available independent housing, especially in rural areas, some Volunteers may stay with their host family or another host family for their entire 2-year service. Volunteers are provided a small space heater for their bedroom
Activities: Conduct a joint needs assessment with school staff, community members, and health service providers. Plan and facilitate interactive classroom lessons and health sessions to build knowledge and skills in healthy behaviors. Organize youth clubs and camps that promote healthy behaviors and life skills. Facilitate community awareness activities on nutrition, hygiene, mental well-being, and positive youth development. Implement school and community initiatives that engage youth in promoting health and well-being. You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as extracurricular activities or computer coding camp for girls.
Training: As a Health Educator in Albania, you will be trained to support teachers and facilitate student learning. Peace Corps/Albania and Montenegro will teach you Albanian to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community. You will also receive supplemental language learning resources.
After 11 weeks of training, you will move to rural or semi-urban community, where you will collaborate with elementary, middle, or secondary schools. You will work with the community to assess local needs and develop solutions based on community needs and assets.
Job Highlights: Learn the Albanian language from dedicated Language and Cross-Culture Facilitators and through an immersive experience. Cultivate intercultural communication, leadership, program management, and classroom skills to support your professional goals. Develop lasting relationships with host families, community members, and colleagues.