Support Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan Development

Activity/project background

San Jose is a coastal municipality in the province of Occidental Mindoro which experiences recurring natural hazards such as typhoons and flooding, as well as environmental challenges including waste management and resource sustainability. The Occidental Mindoro State College (OMSC), located in this setting, is a public higher education institution mandated to deliver instruction, research, and extension services. Through its academic units, including the College of Criminal Justice Education, OMSC conducts community-based activities related to public safety, environmental awareness, and disaster preparedness. It engages faculty, staff, and students in disaster preparedness capacity-strengthening programs and extension initiatives that support local communities, particularly in geographically isolated and disaster-prone areas.

Despite existing efforts, there is a need to strengthen institutional systems by formalizing a comprehensive five-year Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Plan. Current practices are implemented through fragmented activities and are not yet fully institutionalized within a unified policy and planning framework. Given the province’s vulnerability to environmental and disaster risks, there is a technical need to align institutional practices with national policies and environmental regulations, while integrating risk-informed planning, sustainability principles, and operational protocols. Addressing this gap will enhance preparedness and response mechanisms and support long-term resilience within the OMSC and its partner communities.

OMSC is requesting a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to collaborate with OMSC staff and provide technical assistance as OMSC develops a five-year DRRM Plan. During the 24-week engagement, the VSPP will review existing institutional documents and policies to provide a strong foundation as they work with their counterpart to share best practices and guidance as they work together to build the DDRM plan.

The OMSC has not previously collaborated with the Peace Corps and understands that the role of a VSPP is very different than an in-person volunteer.

Engagement and tasks

The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with the Host Country Partner:

• Co-review existing institutional documents and policies related to Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) vis-à-vis the national/local government frameworks to identify gaps and priority areas for improvement
• Introduce institutional strategies and best practices that promote institutional DRRM applicable to the local environment
• Assist in the design and development of a five-year DRRM Plan

VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5–15 hours per week, with approximately 2–4 hours dedicated to synchronous online collaboration with the Host Country Partner over the 24-week engagement period.

Online collaboration will generally occur between 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Philippines time. Specific schedules will be determined during orientation.

The Host Country Partner will have access to Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Facebook Messenger, Gmail, and Canva 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 disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), environmental science, environmental management, urban planning, or related field

Experience:
• 2 years of DRRM program/project implementation
• Developing institutional plans, frameworks, and guidelines
• Facilitating collaborative planning sessions in academic, community, or professional settings

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 disaster risk reduction and management, environmental science, or a related field

Experience:
• Virtual engagement and communication
• Developing environmental policies and sustainability frameworks

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.