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Activity/project background
Ukrainian universities are dedicated to academic excellence, democratic values, and international collaboration. Their strategic goals include expanding international partnerships, strengthening interdisciplinary research, and modernizing teaching and learning practices. They are focusing on faculty and student mobility, creating joint academic and research initiatives, developing curriculum development based on international best practices, and strengthening institutional capacity in digital education, university governance, and resilience during periods of crisis.
The universities are interested in enhancing English-language instruction, specifically with spoken English and intercultural communication. They believe that engaging with Peace Corps’ Virtual Service Pilot Participants (VSPPs) introduces authentic linguistic input and cultural perspectives that support the development of linguistic accuracy, pragmatic awareness, and cultural literacy beyond the traditional classroom.
Both educational institutions are requesting VSPPs to work with a group of 15–20 self-reliant, motivated, and change-oriented university and college students. Prior to orientation, VSPPs will be assigned to two universities. Each group will meet with their respective VSPP for one weekly 60-minute session for 26 weeks. Virtual club participants are eager to be immersed in engaging activities that cover topics such as art, social media, youth life, traveling, natural wonders, holidays, traditions, sports, education, and others. The VSPPs will work with local lecturers to create interactive activities for the English clubs which will cover topics of interest to the students. These partnerships are vital to give their students a global perspective and keep education quality high, despite the challenges in Ukraine.
Both educational institutions have previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. They all understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a two-year Volunteer.
Engagement and tasks
The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their host country partners:
• Co-develop learning resources that incorporate U.S. culture
• Co-design English club session plans with clear policies, procedures, resources, and outcomes designed to improve students’ fluency, confidence, and cultural understanding
• Co-teach a 60-minute virtual summer camp session twice per week for a group of 15–20 students aged 18–20
• Co-assess sessions with co-teachers and identify learning objectives and appropriate communicative activities based on the assessment
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.
Online collaboration will generally occur between 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Ukraine time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.
The Host Country Counterpart will have access to email, Zoom, and WhatsApp 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 TEFL/English teaching to university students
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 of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in English, teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), or education
Experience:
• Virtual engagement and communication
• 2 years teaching university students
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.
