Support Communication Strategy and Website Technology Improvements

Activity/project background

The Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf (CCCD) is an organization in Jamaica that provides the deaf with an accessible education and authentic community through the operation of three residential schools and one Deaf village. For over 60 years, students have been able to learn sign language, gain an education, obtain vocational skills, and be integrated into wider society. However, many will graduate and have nowhere to go due to overall lack of awareness, rights, and accessibility for the Deaf in Jamaica. The Deaf village has apartments, a church, a woodworking shop, a community center, and the ability to employ and find gainful employment for its members.

Within the disabilities sector, CCCD is well known internationally; however, awareness of its work remains limited outside this community. As CCCD seeks to expand its visibility, strengthen its public presence in Jamaica, and diversify funding opportunities, the organization is prioritizing improvements to its website and overall communications strategy. CCCD hopes to better communicate Deaf culture, highlight programs and services, and reach new audiences. As part of this effort, the organization is exploring how emerging technologies, including AI supported tools, could enhance accessibility, user experience, and the delivery of sign language related content. To support these goals, CCD is requesting a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to strengthen strategic communications, guide improvements to website structure and messaging, and advise on feasible AI informed strategies that the organization could adopt over time.

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:

• Collaborate with CCCD to assess current website structure, content, and user experience, with attention to accessibility needs for Deaf users
• Co-develop a strategic communications plan that outlines key messages, priority audiences, and recommended improvements to CCCD’s digital presence
• Advise on and conduct website enhancements that improve clarity, engagement, and navigation, and outline possible pathways for integration of AI supported accessibility tools
• Create draft content, templates, or guidelines that strengthen CCCD’s online storytelling and highlight programs, services, and Deaf culture
• Build CCCD capacity by training its team members to update website content, manage communication workflows, and understand foundational concepts related to AI supported features they may pursue

VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5–15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be eight hours per week.

Online collaboration will generally occur between 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Jamaica time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.

The host country counterpart will have access to Zoom 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:

1. To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3. 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, marketing, information technology, or related field

Experience:
• 1 year with website management or content development
• Developing or improving digital communication materials such as webpages, newsletters, or online campaigns, with ability to integrate website content, user experience considerations, and emerging technology considerations

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

Language: Basic American Sign Language or Jamaican Sign Language

Experience:
• Virtual engagement and communication
• Familiarity with AI tools that support website functions, including automated content generation, chat assist features, accessibility enhancements such as captioning assistance or sign language related tools, and automated content tagging
• Ability to learn and assess the feasibility of new digital tools, including automation platforms and AI informed features that could be integrated into CCCD’s website to improve user experience for people with disabilities

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.