Activity/project background

Partner: Local Action Group Association Gradina Bunatatilor (Community-based Organization)

Local action group, Association Gradina Bunatatilor, currently has three part-time employees who are actively involved in conducting information dissemination campaigns and awareness raising activities related to topics such as local community development opportunities, community mobilization and civic participation, youth and women leadership, entrepreneurship/small business development, and environment protection.

The association requests collaboration with a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to improve the conversational English skills of the organization’s three members and at least 15 residents within the area (ages 15-50) to improve their ability to access and participate in international trainings, as well as submit project proposals for funding that require English.

The organization has not previously collaborated with Peace Corps. They 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-assess current English skill level of participants
• Co-design a curriculum with session plans for 1-hour conversational English club meetings that will be held weekly for 20 weeks
• Co-teach one 1-hour conversational English club session per week (Fridays at 5:00 p.m. Moldova time)
  
  

VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5-15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be 2 hours per week (one hour online).

Online collaboration will generally occur between 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Moldova 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:

• 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: 2 years of experience in TEFL/English teaching to university students or adults

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 education, teaching English, or relevant field of study OR certificate in TESOL/TEFL

Language: Basic Romanian or Russian

Experience: Experience with virtual engagement and communication

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.