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Support Outreach, Storytelling, Visibility, and Engagement Strategies
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Activity/project background
The Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM) Mzuzu Branch is a regional environmental organization operating across the Northern Region districts of Mzimba, Rumphi, Karonga, and Chitipa. Established in 1981, the branch is overseen by a volunteer committee supported by two technical staff members and maintains its main office in Mzuzu under the national secretariat in Blantyre. Current activities include delivering environmental education programs in schools and universities, supporting natural resource management initiatives such as wetlands and biodiversity conservation, conducting environmental awareness and advocacy campaigns, and collaborating with partner institutions on conservation efforts.
The branch faces several capacity gaps that limit the scale and sustainability of its work. These include limited technical skills in proposal development and fundraising, a small workforce to manage communication and storytelling on ongoing projects, and few connections with international partners and donors. There is also a need for strengthened member capacity in writing, communication, and resource mobilization, to support the expansion of core environmental education and conservation activities.
WESM is requesting a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to support communications outreach and storytelling. The VSPP will collaborate with a counterpart to support conservation story development and formulate a communications strategy to enhance visibility, enrich public engagement, and strengthen communication materials that highlight conservation work in the region. The VSPP will contribute to developing practical storytelling content, improving visibility of branch activities, building external partnerships, and training members in targeted skills to ensure longer‑term institutional capacity.
WESM has previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. However, this engagement represents the first collaboration between WESM Mzuzu Branch and the Peace Corps Virtual Service Pilot, thus offering an opportunity to establish strong foundations for future support. 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-develop and publish at least one conservation story per month for WESM platforms (website, social media, partner outlets)
• Facilitate monthly virtual mentoring sessions to build member capacity in storytelling, proposal writing, and donor communication
• Co-design annual visibility and public engagement strategy
VSPPs are expected to engage in the tasks listed above for an estimated 5–15 hours per week. This engagement is planned for approximately 12 hours per week, including two hours of synchronous virtual meetings and coaching sessions.
Online collaboration will generally occur between 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Central African Time, with specific times determined during orientation based on mutual availability.
The host country partner will have access to the full Google Suite, Zoom, email, 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 environmental studies, environmental education, communications, journalism, conservation, or related field
Experience:
• 1 year in environmental conservation, communications, storytelling, or social impact project work (volunteer, academic, or professional)
• Developing professional written content (articles, stories, reports, or communication materials)
• Using digital platforms for communication or outreach (e.g., social media, websites, newsletters)
• Basic proficiency with online collaboration tools such as Google Workspace (Docs, Drive, Meet) or similar platforms
Intercultural Skills and Motivation: Flexible, strong cross-cultural agility, high tolerance for ambiguity, able to work independently, resourceful, creative, and genuinely motivated and capable of serving virtually
Desired qualifications
Education: Master’s degree in environmental communication, environmental journalism, marketing, or conservation science
Experience:
• Virtual engagement and communication
• Developing digital content such as blogs, social media posts, newsletters, or short videos related to environmental or social causes
• Working with international teams, community organizations, or cross-cultural collaboration settings.
• Comfort using additional digital tools such as Canva, WordPress, or social media scheduling platforms (e.g., Hootsuite)
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.
