Small Business Development Specialist - Volunteer Position - Onsite in Costa Rica • North America - 2 years, plus 3 months training

About the Role

Entrepreneurs-in-training and small business owners in Costa Rica are looking to build the skills needed to successfully launch or grow their social enterprises. Despite the country’s notable progress in social security, health care, and access to education, many communities—particularly those outside the Central Valley—continue to face localized poverty, high unemployment, and limited access to economic resources. Rural development associations, which serve as the first tier of community-driven development, often lack the strategic planning, organizational management, and project design skills needed to guide communities toward more effective resource allocation and sustainable economic growth. In addition, women and youth in these communities are disproportionately affected by these economic challenges due to lack of transportation, time, and fewer opportunities to develop relevant skills.

As a Small Business Development Specialist, you will train community members—particularly youth and women—on topics ranging from business planning and product design to financial management and marketing. Alongside your counterparts, you will help aspiring entrepreneurs gain the confidence and competencies needed to succeed. Your collective efforts will improve individual livelihoods, reduce poverty, and promote sustainable economic development.

Responsibilities

• Conduct organizational assessments and develop business plans.
• Plan and train on project design and management practices.
• Train and guide individuals or organizations on business planning, marketing, digital literacy, financial management, and product design.
• Facilitate business skills workshops and business simulations.
• Support the development of new business ideas.
• Work with youth at schools to promote entrepreneurial behaviors.
• Promote community engagement and active participation in economic opportunities.
• Work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as facilitating English conversation clubs or leading a recycling initiative.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in any business discipline OR high school diploma or GED and four years of experience in business management.
• Spanish language proficiency demonstrated by one of the following:
  • Completed 4 years of high school Spanish coursework in the past 8 years.
  • Completed college-level Elementary II Spanish semester (Elementary III in quarter system) within the past 6 years.
  • Score between 50-62 on the Spanish College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam in the past 6 years.
  • Score Novice-High or Intermediate-Low on official American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in Spanish within the past 6 years.

Key Dates

Apply by: December 15, 2026
Know by: February 1, 2027
Depart on: July 11, 2027
Duration: 2 years, plus 3 months training