Start date
August 18, 2025

End date
February 6, 2026

Duration
24 weeks

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

Activity/project background

Matsapha Town Council (MTC) is responsible for serving the population of an area spanning approximately 2000 hectares. Matsapha town is between the two major cities of Eswatini: Manzini and Mbabane. While the area’s night-time population falls around 7,600 people, during the day, the population reaches an estimated 35,000 from local business activity.

MTC uses population data to better understand the demographics of the town. One of the key factors driving urban development in Eswatini is the rapid urban population growth. With a growing population, the demand for housing, transportation, employment, and other essential amenities in towns has increased. Over 70% of the country’s population is under age 35 and Eswatini has a high youth unemployment rate of more than 50%. The municipality is investing in social development efforts that include strengthening economic initiatives for young people within the town.

To support youth development, MTC is requesting a Virtual Service Pilot Participant to co-assess economic opportunities for youth and co-develop a series of training workshops to prepare approximately 60 youth (20 per workshop) for formal employment, entrepreneurship, and vocational training.

The organization has not 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 and co-create a database of opportunities available online for out-of-school youth
• Co-design and co-facilitate a series of 2-3 virtual workshops or webinars on life skills, including communication, critical thinking, leadership, and financial literacy
• Co-develop and co-deliver 2-3 training sessions on career readiness, entrepreneurship, and vocational pathways
• Co-identify potential partnerships between the youth development sector and local businesses
  
  

VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5-15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be 12 hours per week.

Online collaboration will generally occur between 2:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. South African Standard time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.

The Host Country Counterpart will have access to Zoom, email, WhatsApp, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams 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: Bachelors’ degree in any field

Experience:

• 2 years designing and implementing youth economic development initiatives
• Designing and delivering youth empowerment training and/or webinars that may include experience in life skills, career planning, and small business development.
  
  

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