Support Youth Leadership and Employability Skills Development Club

Activity/project background

The Window on America Centers (WOAs) in Ukraine provide resources and learning opportunities for youth who want to improve their English proficiency while gaining practical life skills. The spaces represent strong collaboration between the United States and Ukraine and offer a variety of activities, such as lectures, presentations, workshops, trainings, discussions, public activities, and civil society-led initiatives to target Ukraine’s emerging voices, active citizens, and young leaders.

During the war, WOAs have worked to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have lost their homes and jobs. Youth in these areas are faced with rebuilding their lives, often having to start their careers from scratch and acquire new skills. Amidst the challenges of wartime, both displaced and non-displaced youth are grappling with emotional obstacles and lacking the necessary support to nurture their strengths and regain confidence.

WOAs are seeking the support of one Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to support youth leadership and employability skills development club. The VSPP is expected to co-facilitate a club for young adults (aged 18–35) to rediscover their strengths and develop essential leadership skills for success in the job market. The club will cover a wide range of topics that will prepare students for internships or other work-based learning opportunities. Through collaboration with the VSPP, students will learn about resume writing, interviewing techniques, and networking. Participants will also get an opportunity to learn about America and American culture, which will broaden their global understanding.

The organization has previously collaborated with the Peace Corps through a Virtual Service Pilot engagement in 2024–2025. 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 students’ current knowledge and skill level to establish priority areas for focus in club sessions
• Co-design or co-adapt a resource pack of at least 10 session plans on topics related to leadership and career development
• Co-facilitate a weekly 1-hour online club
• Attend a weekly meeting with the Ukrainian counterpart for feedback and discussion
• Co-facilitate club meetings and include cultural events on topics, such as American holidays and historical events

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

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, and Telegram 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 any field

Experience: 1 year working with young adults, aged 18–35, in some capacity, such as a teacher, counselor, mentor, coach, or volunteer

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 psychology, sociology, education, social science, or related field

Language: Basic Ukrainian

Experience:
• Virtual engagement and communication
• Conducting training and facilitation on resiliency and/or employability skills

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.