Start date
August 15, 2025

End date
February 20, 2026

Duration
27 weeks

ELIGIBILITY: Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be a U.S. citizen.

Activity/project background

The Jamaica Organic Agriculture Movement (JOAM) is a non-governmental organization with a volunteer board of directors and membership that seeks to promote the production, distribution, and consumption of all types of organic agricultural products. This being the 21st anniversary of JOAM, the organization would like to enhance its online presence and visibility through animation, short videos, and infomercials using various social media platforms (such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X). JOAM would like this social media campaign to share growing tips, the importance and tremendous benefits of organic agriculture, as well as the impact of a dependence on external agricultural inputs. JOAM would like to have a greater impact and reach throughout Jamaica to demystify organic agriculture misconceptions and what it entails.

The objective of the social media campaign is to create awareness, improve the use of organic farming techniques, and increase membership of JOAM. The campaign will target the public, backyard gardeners, hobbyists, farmers, and people who have an interest in healthy eating and lifestyles.

JOAM is requesting the support of a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to advance its mission of improving organic farming and environmentally friendly agricultural practices among Jamaicans. In collaboration with JOAM staff, the VSPP will strengthen the organization’s social media presence and brand assets as well as develop a social media marketing campaign to increase the visibility of JOAM among its constituents.

The organization has previously collaborated with the 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 social media activities
• Co-develop a social media marketing plan
• Co-create a multi-channel series of short videos for social media to publish at least 2 each week
• Co-design pictorials depicting organic farming techniques to publish at least 1 each week
• Co-develop short stories on the health and environmental benefits, importance, and impact of organic agriculture to publish two each month
• Mentor a staff member on social media content creation and management
  
  

VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5-15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be 8 hours per week.

Online collaboration will generally occur between 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Jamaica time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.

The Host Country Counterpart will have access to Zoom, Microsoft Teams, 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 experience developing digital communications, brand campaigns, or social media content

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