An official website of the United States government
Co-facilitate Leadership Conversational Club for Youth
Jump to:
Activity/project background
A Ukrainian NGO empowers Ukrainian youth through non-formal education, prioritizing English proficiency, leadership development, intercultural exchanges, and youth-led projects in partnership with local colleges.
Ukrainian youth have limited access to practical leadership development opportunities, particularly in contexts that require communication in English and engagement with global perspectives. A lack of understanding of the cultural, historical, and social context of the United States can further limit their confidence and ability to participate effectively in intercultural leadership environments. Strengthening leadership skills through exposure to diverse perspectives and real-world communication is essential for preparing youth to lead in both local and global contexts.
The NGO is seeking the support of one Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to co-facilitate an English language conversational club with a strong emphasis on leadership development through the exploration of American culture, history, and regional diversity. In collaboration with the local team, the VSPP will co-design and co-facilitate weekly 60–90 minutes sessions for 15–20 participants, aged 15–22. Sessions will focus on building confidence, facilitating peer leadership, encouraging initiative, and developing communication skills through real-life scenarios, discussions, and participant-led activities. Some sessions may include virtual peer-to-peer exchanges between Ukrainian youth and U.S. peers.
The organization has previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a Peace Corps Volunteer or Peace Corps Response Volunteer.
Engagement and tasks
The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their host country partners:
• Co-assess participants’ current English communication level, leadership skills, and knowledge of U.S. culture/history/regional diversity
• Co-design the virtual club curriculum with focus on communication and leadership skills
• Co-develop 12 session plans for virtual club meetings focused on American culture, history, and regional diversity
• Co-facilitate 60–90-minute virtual club meetings for 15–20 students (aged 15–22) each week to encourage participants’ confidence, peer leadership, initiative, and communication skills through guided discussions and intercultural exchanges
• Co-host cultural events devoted to American and Ukrainian holidays or historical events
• Attend a weekly meeting with the Ukrainian counterparts for feedback and planning
• Co-conduct final program evaluation during last week, documenting participant progress, outcomes, feedback, and recommendations
VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5–15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be six hours per week, including two hours of synchronous collaboration online with the host country partner.
Online collaboration will generally occur between 4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Kyiv time. Specific times will be determined during orientation
The host country counterpart will have access to Zoom, WhatsApp, Telegram, 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:
• Working with youth, aged 15-22, in some capacity as mentor, trainer, or facilitator of youth programming
• Virtual educational session facilitation using participatory or non-formal education methodologies
• Knowledge of or interest in American culture, history, and/or society
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 education, social sciences, or international relations
Experience:
• Curriculum development or educational program design, particularly in non-formal education or youth development settings
• Integrating cultural topics (e.g., U.S. culture, history, or society) into language learning or training activities
• Currently teaching at a high school, college, or university in the United States
• Facilitating intercultural exchanges or working with international participants
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 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.
