Co-facilitate the Development of a Communication and Fundraising Plan
Activity/project background
Partner: Caritas Volyn (International NGO)
Caritas Ukraine is a branch of Caritas International, a Catholic charitable foundation that responds to humanitarian crises around the world. Caritas Ukraine supports the development and implementation of national programs to provide social assistance and support to the most vulnerable populations of Ukraine, regardless of their ethnic, social, or religious background. For more than 20 years, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have received material, social, psychological, and legal assistance through their work. Caritas Volyn is a regional branch of the organization that focuses on supporting children with special needs and their families, the elderly, palliative care, social services, and promoting charity in Volyn region, western Ukraine.
Caritas Volyn requests the support of a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to clarify and to implement its organizational development plan to improve leadership, management, and resource mobilization. Toward these improvements, Caritas Volyn seeks to accomplish the following by February 2024: develop a comprehensive communications strategy, boost online visibility by increasing social media following and engagement by 20%, and develop a digital fundraising campaign to fund the children’s centers that the organization supports.
Caritas Volyn has previously worked with a Peace Corps Volunteer in 2019-2020. 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 development of a comprehensive communications strategy, and participate in the focus group discussions on the strategy
• Advise on the development of the organization’s digital strategy related to social media
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.
Ideal meeting times for virtual engagement are between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Ukraine standard time. Specific times for planning sessions between the VSPP and Host Partner will be determined during orientation. The Host Country Partner will provide interpretation.
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 any field
Language: Basic Ukrainian
Experience:
• 1 year of experience developing public affairs, brand campaigns, social media, or content development
• At least 6 months of experience in fundraising and/or grant management for non-profit organizations
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 public administration, organizational development or NGO management
Language: Intermediate Ukrainian
Technical Skills: Familiarity with virtual engagement and communication
Experience:
• Experience managing a nonprofit in the U.S.
• 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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