Support the Implementation of a Public Affairs Campaign for an NGO
Activity/project background
Partner: Jamaica Association for the Deaf (JAD) (Local NGO)
Jamaica Association for the Deaf (JAD) provides education and vocational training for members of the Deaf community, as well as social services which include support for workforce integration and advocacy for full inclusion in mainstream society. JAD focuses program planning and implementation based on the needs of the Deaf community, national priorities, and funder expectations. In response to the dynamic needs of stakeholders, clients, partners, and donors, JAD is looking to establish a new brand identity and bolster its public profile. In this regard, the implementation of a new public affairs campaign is necessary.
JAD is hopeful that together with the Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) they will be able to collaborate to support staff capacity to implement a public affairs (PA) campaign. The JAD has previously worked with a Peace Corps Volunteer and a VSPP. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a two-year Volunteer. Previous collaborations with Peace Corps Jamaica have benefited the organization tremendously by increasing capacity and administrative support.
Virtual service engagement and tasks
The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their Host Country Partners:
• Collaborate to assess success of current or past public affairs (PA) strategies to identify areas of opportunity
• Co-design and support the implementation of a PA campaign to include some of the following elements: strategies to increase the number of engagements from social media and traditional mass media; approaches to re-invigorate the brand identity of the organization in alignment with its core mandate/mission and objectives; and opportunities to align and network with other similar agencies and campaigns
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, Mondays to Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Jamaica time GMT-5) time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.
The Host Country Counterpart will have access to WhatsApp, Zoom, and Google Meet 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 management, communications, or related field
Experience: Experience developing public affairs, branding campaigns, and fundraising initiatives
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
Technical Skills:
• Familiarity with virtual engagement and communication
• Strong IT skills including graphics, excel and databases
Experience:
• Experience with social media campaigns
• Experience developing media pitches
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.