Support Website Development and Digital Content for a Youth NGO
Eligibility
Open to all RPCVs
Activity/project background
Partner: Young Women/Men of Purpose (YWOP/YMOP) (Local NGO)
Young Women/Men of Purpose (YWOP/YMOP) is an award-winning non-governmental organization (NGO), established in 2009, to provide career mentorship and guidance, personal development training, entrepreneurship training, and support to young people between 13 and 32 years old across Jamaica. The organization has designed and implemented high impact projects and programs, such as a career mentoring program, school outreach activities, high school and tertiary students’ scholarships, capacity development training and entrepreneurship programs; all of which have impacted thousands of youths across Jamaica.
Currently, the organization aims to increase the visibility and impact of their work. They are seeking the support of a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to assist the organization in this effort. The VSPP will help to increase YWOP/YMOP’s visibility and impact by updating and maintaining its website. They may also assist in digitizing and expanding their REAP (Realize, Embrace, Achieve your Purpose) entrepreneurship program. The REAP program helps young and aspiring entrepreneurs across Jamaica to start and grow their businesses by providing entrepreneurship training and support, business coaching and mentoring as well as technical assistance for their businesses.
YWOP/YMOP has not previously worked with a Peace Corps Volunteer or a Virtual Service Pilot Participant. 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 the existing website and determine areas for improvement
• Co-assess and determine design goals, guidelines, standards, and best practices for updated website
• Co-design visual imagery for the website in keeping with the organization’s branding
• Update existing website using Word Press or a similar platform
• Co-write and publish sample pages, blogs, and website features
• Create a website maintenance guide
• Train select member(s) of YWOP/YMOP to manage the website
• Provide guidance to YWOP/YMOP team on creating digital content
• Co-create digital content/courses for the REAP Entrepreneurship Program
• Assist with the editing of recorded digital content
This engagement is expected to be approximately 27 weeks. VSPPs are 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 during normal office hours, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Jamaica time GMT-5 time. The weekly Team Huddle is held every Monday from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Jamaica Time GMT-5 time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.
The Host Country Counterpart will have access to Zoom, Slack, ClickUp and/or 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:
• 2 years’ experience in website development
• Experience using WordPress, Squarespace, or similar website platform
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: Bachelor's degree in computer science or any related field, OR relevant experience
Technical Skills:
• Familiarity with virtual engagement and communication
• Familiarity with digital content creation and editing
Experience: Experience training or coaching in website development or maintenance, and digital content creation
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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