Start date
August 25, 2025

End date
November 17, 2025

Duration
12 weeks

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

Activity/project background

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. RADA was established under the Rural Agricultural Development Authority Act of 1990. It is Jamaica’s chief agricultural extension and rural development agency, with a vision of achieving national economic growth and stability through agricultural development. RADA has had a long-standing successful partnership with Peace Corps Jamaica. Due to previous collaborations with Volunteers, small rural farm groups have increased their capacity, which subsequently enabled them to benefit from other agricultural support programmes and training.

A core function of the organization is to provide technical advice to farmers and to strengthen farming groups. Therefore, it is crucial for staff to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively communicate risk-related information to various stakeholders, including farmers and external entities. To better support farmers, RADA seeks to strengthen its capacity to communicate agriculture risk management topics and strategies that can mitigate negative financial effects from such uncertainties inherent in weather, yields, prices, government policies, global markets, and other factors that impact a farm’s income.

RADA is requesting a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to assist in providing training for Parish Managers and Deputy Managers on critical areas of risk management and related topics. The training will focus on building capacity in risk identification, assessment, mitigation and monitoring specific to the agricultural extension services environment. Topics include Overview of Risk Management Principles; Identifying Risk, Risk Assessment, and Prioritization; Basic Tools and Techniques for Managing Risks; In-depth Exploration of Risk Management Frameworks (e.g. ISO 31000); and Risk Monitoring and Review.

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-create an assessment of the organization to determine risk management training content
• Co-conduct a 2-hour weekly training session for managers
• Participate in a 2-hour weekly planning, preparation, and evaluation session with the counterpart
  
  

VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5-15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be 7 hours per week.

Online collaboration will generally occur between 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Jamaica time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.

The Host Country Counterpart will have access to computer, internet, Zoom video conferencing platform and telephone (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:

• 2 years in agricultural risk management or related field
• Agricultural extension work
  
  

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