Start date
September 29, 2025

End date
December 22, 2025

Duration
12 weeks

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

Activity/project background

National Institute for Education and Leadership and the Republican Center for Psycho-pedagogical Assistance are two agencies under Moldova’s Ministry of Education and Research. Both agencies aim to support teachers in Moldova develop professionally and provide opportunities for them to share their own practices. Unfortunately, access to English training is limited and many staff at both agencies are not proficient in English.

The agencies are requesting the support of a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to improve their staff’s English conversational skills. The VSPP will co-assess the staff’s English skill level and sub-divide them into two groups based upon their English skill level. In collaboration with a counterpart, the VSPP will design a curriculum and lesson plans that address each group’s learning needs. By strengthening their English skills, the staff will be equipped to access materials to better support the teachers’ professional development. Additionally, the agencies will be able to share their practices and knowledge at the various events.

The agencies have 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 English language skills of participants to divide them into at least 2 groups
• Co-design an English course curriculum for each group
• Co-plan the English class with the counterpart
• Co-facilitate a 1.5-hour weekly online English class for each group
• Mentor the beneficiaries through observation and feedback of their English acquisition
  
  

VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5-15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be 5 hours per week (3 hours online)

Online collaboration will generally occur between 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 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 and relevant certification: TEFL, TESOL, Cambridge, or similar

Experience: 2 years of TEFL/English teaching to university students or adult working professionals

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