Cusco Ecosystem Restoration and Community Development Professional Volunteer

In the high Andes of the Cusco region, EcoSwell has partnered with Pachamama Raymi, a non-profit whose methodology is proving successful in lifting many rural communities out of poverty across Peru, Tanzania, and Nepal, to confront the vicious cycle of soil erosion and rural poverty. Generations of overgrazing have stripped mountainsides down to bare rock, enabling rain to create destructive rivers and floods. As the land degrades, families lose their incomes and migrate to the cities. The model reverses this by planting resilient forests and rebuilding the broader ecosystem to restore the soil, then training families to turn this recovery into a productive, profitable enterprise. Thanks to Pachamama Raymi, people are now returning to their communities rather than leaving them. 

EcoSwell is seeking experienced professional volunteers to support the efforts of Pachamama Raymi and represent our organisation. As a Professional Volunteer, you'll work alongside the Pachamama Raymi team and local farmers to help strengthen and scale this work, bringing professional methods and new, proven ideas to both the reforestation effort and the community enterprises it supports. There are many steps in Pachamama Raymi’s method, and your insight can be used to further any of them. Daily tasks will vary depending on the progress and stage of each project, offering diverse experiences and growth opportunities.

What can be expected of you

Responsibilities may include:

• Reforestation strategy and planning

• Remote sensing, mapping and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

• Impact measurement & data analysis of ecosystem recovery 

• Designing new ecological initiatives, such as bird nests and enhanced irrigation

• Risk prevention systems for forest plantations

• Developing community-based enterprise and rural value chain

• Business-development support for local families

• Partnership building with local institutions

• Carbon markets, nature-based solutions and climate finance

• Organisational strengthening and capacity building

• Community engagement in local celebrations

Requirements

This professional program is designed for participants who are interested in environmental science, sustainable rural development, and community enterprise in international and climate-vulnerable contexts. The program is particularly suited to business development professionals, agricultural engineers, ecologists, environmental scientists, sustainability specialists, and rural development professionals.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Have graduated from a university program in a relevant discipline, or demonstrate equivalent professional experience in environmental science, rural development, enterprise, or related fields.

• Be a minimum of 18 years of age.

• Have the ability and motivation to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams, often in remote or resource-constrained environments. Please note the partner communities sit at high altitude in the Andes, so we recommend allowing a few days to acclimatise.