Activity/project background
Partner: All-Ukrainian Youth Center (Government)
The All-Ukrainian Youth Center was founded by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and is a national hub dedicated to empowering and supporting youth across Ukraine. Its mission is to give young Ukrainians a voice in rebuilding their country and shaping its future in Europe. The center collaborates with local youth centers, young leaders, and partners with local governments to strengthen youth policies and create meaningful opportunities for youth. It offers professional development and networking for youth workers, conducts research on the needs of young people, and adapts national programs to meet these needs. Initiatives include the "Youth Worker" program, as well as efforts aimed at social cohesion, integrating internally displaced persons (IDPs) and trauma-informed youth work.
In addition to its work within Ukraine, the center advocates for youth on a global scale. It actively promotes youth development infrastructure and amplifies the voices of young Ukrainians to international audiences, often through speaking engagements and presentations at events to international partners and peers.
Young people in Ukraine have responded to Russia’s aggression through decisive action, becoming ambassadors of their nation’s resilience. To better communicate their story and connect with the international community, the team at the All-Ukrainian Youth Center is eager to improve their English-speaking skills. By mastering English, they aim to strengthen relationships with international partners, participate in global projects, and stay up to date on international best practices in youth development. Stronger language skills will enable them to share Ukraine’s story more effectively and forge global partnerships for impactful initiatives.
The center seeks to collaborate with a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to develop the conversational English skills of its youth workers. This partnership will equip participants with the tools they need to engage diverse audiences, raise awareness about their work in Ukraine (e.g. be able describe youth projects, youth volunteerism, etc.), and inspire action both at home and abroad. Through communication with a VSPP, the Youth ‘s workers will learn to amplify the unique and powerful stories of Ukrainian youth, fostering global understanding of their challenges and resilience amid Russia's war. This collaboration will help Ukrainian youth workers grow and offer Americans a unique opportunity to support Ukraine’s by supporting the development of a new generation of leaders.
The organization has not previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a two-year Volunteer.
Engagement and tasks
The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their Host Country Partners:
- Co-assess students’ current knowledge and skill level to establish priority areas for focus in club sessions
- Co-develop a curriculum on topics related to related youth work and established needs of the youth workers (e.g., youth center, professional growth, volunteerism, and project management)
- Co-develop teaching resources for at least nine (9) training sessions (session plans, presentations, handouts, videos, and podcasts)
- Co-host a 1.5-hour online session each week with the group of participants (the average number of participants is 10-20, age: 22-35)
- Attend a meeting every week with the Ukrainian counterpart for feedback and discussion
VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5-15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be 5 hours per week.
Online collaboration will generally occur between 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Kyiv time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.
The Host Country Counterpart will have access to WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, and Instagram for regular communication and collaboration.
Per the Child Protection Code of Conduct, when engaging online with minors (0-18), two adults must be present.
Optional additional activities
The Peace Corps mission is to promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three goals:
- To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
- To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
- To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
Goal 1 will be achieved through the VSPP's engagement and completion of the above tasks. The counterpart and VSPP may also choose to identify an activity that aligns with Goal 2. Additionally, the VSPP may identify a Goal 3 activity to implement during their engagement. See recommendations and tools for Goal 3 activities.
Essential Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in any field
Experience:
- 1 year of experience working with young adults (ages 22-35) or related experience
- 1 year of experience with training planning and facilitation
- 1 year of TEFL/TESOL teaching experience in the U.S. or abroad
Intercultural skills and motivation: Flexible, strong cross-cultural agility, high tolerance for ambiguity, able to work independently, resourceful, creative, and genuinely motivated and capable to serve virtually
Desired Qualifications
Education: Master’s degree in any field
Language: Basic Ukrainian
Experience:
- Experience with virtual engagement and communication
- Experience with curriculum and workshop development
- 3 years of TEFL/TESOL teaching experience in the U.S. or abroad
Terms and conditions of engagement
VSPPs will be engaging with the host country partner, in coordination with Peace Corps post staff, remotely from the US. They should have access to a computer, internet, and telephone in order to enable direct engagement with the Peace Corps overseas office and the Host Country Counterpart assigned by the host country partner.
Orientation with the host country partner will be provided, within the designated virtual service hours, during the first week of virtual service via an online presentation and discussion. The host country partner will provide an overview of its organization, the local context, and how they envision collaborating with the VSPP.
The VSPP will have regular check-ins with their counterpart and bi-weekly check-ins with Peace Corps staff. Spending unstructured time with counterparts can be critical to relationship-building and is encouraged through activities such as coffee chats and informal calls within the weekly 5-15 hours.
Engagement safety and security
The VSPP will receive an orientation on Peace Corps’ Child Protection Policy and how it relates to online engagement along with IT security best practices. The VSPP will be expected to follow safety and security guidelines for online engagement to ensure their safety and that of the Host Country Partner and their counterpart, and any beneficiaries of the engagement.
Supervision requirements
The VSPP will report to a designated Peace Corps staff member. The VSPP will be expected to abide by the Virtual Service Pilot Participant and Donation Agreement and Participant Principles of Engagement. The VSPP will also be expected to check in with the designated host country counterpart as assigned by the host county partner.
