Co-Develop Website for Non-profit Organization
Activity/project background
Partner: Maths & Science Leadership Academy NPC (Local NGO)
The Maths & Science Leadership Academy (MSLA) - a non-profit organization situated in Kimberley, Northern Cape Province, South Africa - has amazing stories to tell about how it is educating youth from underprivileged backgrounds and thus better preparing them for the future. To get those stories out and to increase recognition of MSLA’s work, the organization’s website needs to be updated to share success stories, expand the organization’s reach, and increase awareness of the organization’s work to attract the attention of donors, thereby increasing sources of funding for the organization.
MSLA is requesting Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to improve the organization’s website to make it responsive and functional in support of the organization’s mission and the aspirations, as listed above.
MSLA has previously worked with a Peace Corps Volunteer. They understand that the role of the 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:
• Train MSLA staff to ensure they are able to maintain up to date website trends
• Co-design MSLA’s website to include an FAQ, a strong clear call to action, a list of existing and past clients, an about us section, and a value proposition
• Support staff to design their website to be an intuitive user experience, including being easy to navigate, being mobile friendly, being accessible in dark mode, and being an overall immersive visual experience
• Provide MSLA staff with a step-by-step guide to ensure that they are able to maintain the website for future content and developments
This engagement is expected to be approximately 16 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 after hours, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. South African time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.
The Host Country Counterpart will have access to Teams, WhatsApp, and emails 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 communications, or related field
Experience: Experience developing public affairs, brand campaigns, social media, or content development
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 communications, or related field
Technical Skills: Familiarity with virtual engagement and communication
Experience:
• 3 years of experience developing public affairs, brand campaigns, social media, or content development
• Experience creating websites for non-profits
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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