Facilitate English Club Sessions for Internally Displaced Populations
Eligibility
Open to all RPCVs
Activity/project background
Partner: Spilna Sprava NGO (Local NGO)
Spilna Sprava or “joint action” is a Ukrainian NGO that was founded in 2015 by internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Russia-occupied territories. The organization focusses their support upon other IDPs who have relocated to the city of Vinnytsia. The organization’s mission is to accommodate and protect social, legal, economic, and other needs of IDPs in the city of Vinnytsya and the region. Since the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the number of IDPs in the city of Vinnytsia and the region has grown to 46,000 and 170,000 respectively. As the IDPs adjust to their new or temporary homes and they look for employment opportunities, the ability to work in English would improve their opportunities for employment.
Spilna Sprave requests the support of a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to facilitate English Club sessions weekly for three different age groups of IDPs to improve their English skills and thus grow their employment prospects.
The NGO has previously worked with a Peace Corps Volunteer. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a two-year Volunteer.
Virtual service engagement and tasks
The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their Host Country Partners:
• Co-assess English conversational skill levels for IDPs in the following age groups; aged 10-14 years, 15-35 years, and 36-55 years.
• Co-develop curriculum and English club lesson plans appropriate for each age group
• Facilitate conversational English club sessions for each age group. VSPPs will meet with each group of 10-15 people for 1-1.5 hours per club for a total of 3-4.5 hours per week for all clubs
This engagement is expected to be approximately 12 weeks. The VSPP is expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5-15 hours per week.
Meetings between VSPPs and Host Country Counterparts will take place between 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Ukraine time. Specific times will be determined during orientation. The Host Partner will provide interpretation.
The Host Country Counterpart will have access to email, Zoom, Messenger, Telegram, and WhatsApp 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 TEFL/TESOL teaching experience in the U.S.A. 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: Any Master's degree with state certification in English, TEFL/TESOL/ESL/TESL, or foreign language
Technical Skills: Familiarity with virtual engagement and communication
Language: Intermediate Ukrainian
Experience:
• 3 years of TEFL/TESOL teaching experience in the U.S.A. or abroad
• Virtual Service experience in Ukraine
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-specific 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.
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