Support WordPress Website Revamp for Early Childhood Education NGO
Activity/project background
Partner: Learn To Play – Ithute Go Tshameka (Local NGO)
Learn To Play (LTP) is a non-profit based in Botswana providing free access to early childhood education (ECE) and parenting support programs. Through LTP’s playgroups and parenting programs, the organization aims to ensure improved school readiness outcomes for children in key developmental domains and through strengthened family-child relationships.
Conveying its mission and achievements is an important piece of LTP’s outreach to stakeholders and the public. Although the organization has a functional WordPress website, LTP has grown and changed since the site’s initial construction; it is no longer a full representation of LTP’s impact, scale, strategy, and branding.
LTP does not have a team member who can revamp the website; however, they do have the capacity to manage the website on an ongoing basis. Therefore, the organization is seeking a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) who can support the revamping of the website so that it is reflective of LTP’s growth and strategy with new information, content, and sections. The VSPP would also support the training of staff members to manage the website.
Learn To Play has not previously worked with a Peace Corps Volunteer and 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:
• Optimize the website’s design for easy updates and clear demonstration of impact
• Update content including pictures, video clips, and copy on website
• Optimize the performance of the website
• Realign the website look, feel, and content with updated messaging frameworks, branding and themes
• Create a manual for website maintenance and train staff members on website management
This engagement is expected to be approximately 12 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, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Botswana time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.
The Host Country Counterpart will have access to WhatsApp and email 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: 1 year of experience with website 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: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field
Technical Skills: Familiarity with virtual engagement and communication
Experience:
• Experience with WordPress
• Experience in communications and marketing for NGOs
• Experience with graphic design
• Experience with copy editing
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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