Support Community NGO with Strategic Planning and Project Management
Eligibility
Open to all RPCVs
Activity/project background
Partner: Alliance of Good Deeds (Local NGO)
Alliance of Good Deeds is a Ukrainian-based NGO that was founded by local activists in 2015. Its mission is to make the city of Vasylkiv a community comfortable for living and visiting by improving its environmental, social, and cultural standards. Like other community nonprofits in Ukraine, the NGO has found itself dealing with the effects of the ongoing war, such as providing shelter and services to internally displaced populations, and at the same time trying to maintain the appropriate level of organizational capacity while adhering to its mission within the community.
Since the NGO has been expanding its services during a time of instability and uncertainty, it is seeking a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to support the development of a strategic plan to help align and strengthen current initiatives, while improving the organizational capacity of staff. The VSPP will collaborate with the co-founder of the organization.
Alliance of Good Deeds 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:
• Assist with the design of a plan that will focus on the organization’s development in times of crisis and instability
• Co-design a strategic plan for the community center
• Co-create a strategy for the participatory community development focusing on cultural preservation, tourism, and tech innovations
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. The Host Partner will provide interpretation.
Ideal times for virtual engagement are between 2:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Kyiv, Ukraine standard time. Specific times for planning sessions between the VSPP and Host Partner will be determined during orientation.
The Host Country Counterpart will have access to 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 business, nonprofit management or related field
Language: Basic Ukrainian
Experience:
• 1 year of experience in organizational capacity development and project management
• 1 year of experience in communication, partnership building or community mobilization
• Experience working or volunteering with nonprofits
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 business administration, nonprofit management or organizational capacity building
Technical Skills: Familiarity with virtual engagement and communication
Language: Intermediate Ukrainian
Experience:
• Managing a nonprofit in the U.S.
• Good understanding of context: Ukraine’s culture, history, and ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war
• 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.
Does this sound like the virtual engagement for you?
Get started on your journey.