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Virtual Service Pilot
What is Peace Corps Virtual Service?
There are several ways to engage with Peace Corps’ mission. Peace Corps is responding to the evolving needs of our community partners by developing virtual engagements with dedicated partners to complement in-country service opportunities.
Virtual Service Pilot Participants donate their services to the agency by engaging online with host country partners for 5-15 hours each week for 3-6 months. Virtual Service complements the work of two-year and Response Volunteers by enabling the Peace Corps to support community partners.
The Peace Corps Virtual Service Pilot (VSP) is an opportunity whereby private citizens are able to donate time and voluntary services to the agency to engage virtually and contribute to the requests of interested host country partners for support.
The Peace Corps launched Virtual Service in 2020 to navigate the pandemic, and it continues to advance the agency’s mission in new ways today. The engagements are created at a partner’s request and are designed to strengthen capacity of partner organizations.
What is the expected time commitment for VSP Participants?
Virtual Service engagements are 3-6 months long, depending on the request of the host country partner. VSP Participants engage synchronously and asynchronously for approximately 5-15 hours per week on tasks outlined in their engagement. VSP Participants and host country counterparts identify mutually agreeable times to meet, given the difference in their respective time zones and schedules.
Is the Virtual Service Pilot the same as Peace Corps Volunteer service?
No. Virtual Service is distinct from Peace Corps Volunteer service and Peace Corps Response service. VSP Participants contribute to the mission of the Peace Corps as private citizens while maintaining their other personal commitments.
How do VSP Participants engage with their host country counterparts?
In developing Virtual Service engagements, Peace Corps staff confirm that host country partners have consistent access to a computer, internet, and/or a mobile phone and are comfortable engaging in a virtual setting.
Navigating time zones and schedules can be a challenge. Participants exercise flexibility and find creative ways to connect with their host country counterparts. These methods include using messaging and video platforms, email, and phone calls.
Discussing these potential challenges and establishing regular check-in times with host country counterparts at the beginning of the engagement is a best practice and often done during orientation.
What activities do VSP Participants engage in?
VSP Participants engage in activities in all six programmatic sectors: Agriculture, Community Economic Development, Education, Environment, Health, and Youth in Development. Engagements have included expanding local garden diversity co-facilitating English clubs and courses, and co-training local business owners on additional entrepreneurial skills, to name a few.
VSP Participants and host country partners often choose to celebrate local holidays and exchange cultural traditions, which contribute to deepening relationships and fostering important parts of the Peace Corps mission.
What are the benefits for VSP Participants?
Virtual Service provides service opportunities for U.S. citizens who might not otherwise be able to serve due to physical limitations or financial and family obligations.
It also allows Participants to engage with host communities that are unable to host Volunteers due to safety, security, or logistical reasons. Virtual Service provides possible continuation of service for Volunteers who have their service terminated due to an evacuation or must close their in-person service due to health, safety, or security concerns. Through online engagement, VSP Participants gain more experience with overseas organizations and continue, as private citizens, to support the mission and goals of the Peace Corps.
Participants are not Volunteers but rather private donors. For this reason, Virtual Service does not qualify Participants for non-competitive eligibility (NCE), public service loan forgiveness, or the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows program.
Are VSP Participants provided with an allowance?
Participants receive a one-time amount of $250 to defray start-up costs directly associated with their first virtual engagement.
Are there hardware or software requirements for VSP Participants?
VSP Participants are responsible for access to and availability of a computer, internet, and/or telephone in order to enable direct virtual engagement with the Peace Corps office overseas and their host country counterpart.
Will the VSP Participants receive supervision?
Each VSP Participant will be assigned to a point of contact at a specific Peace Corps post who will conduct regular check-ins with the Participant.
How will Virtual Service be documented?
VSP Participants will be provided with an official “Description of Engagement” document which will describe the tasks accomplished during the period of engagement.
Will virtual service count toward months of Volunteer service or non-competitive eligibility (NCE)?
VSP Participants are donating their time as private citizens, which is distinct from Peace Corps Volunteer service. For this reason, virtual service participation does not count toward months of Volunteer service or NCE.
What are the qualifications for Virtual Service?
Will VSP Participants receive orientation?
Yes, after signing a Virtual Service donation agreement, VSP Participants complete an asynchronous online orientation that covers the Peace Corps’ approach to development, intercultural communication, technology, and effective virtual collaboration.
During the first week of the engagement, VSP Participants will be invited to attend a virtual meeting led by Peace Corps post staff from the country of engagement. The Participant will learn more about the culture, review the specific tasks to be accomplished, and will be introduced to their host country partner during that meeting. The partner and the Participant will use this time to begin planning how they will collaborate in the coming weeks.
How do I submit an expression of interest?
Browse current Peace Corps Virtual Service engagement opportunities. The expression of interest form takes 10-20 minutes to complete. Interested individuals should be prepared to upload a current resume, 1-2 references, and answer 3 short essay questions.
Check out our blog for additional tips for submitting a strong expression of interest.
How many expressions of interest can I submit?
Interested individuals can submit up to 3 expressions of interest at a given time.
Who should I contact if I have questions?
Email your questions about virtual service or expressions of interest to [email protected].