Start date
September 22, 2025

End date
December 8, 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, Fisheries, and Mining. RADA was established under the Rural Agricultural Development Authority Act of 1990. RADA is Jamaica’s chief agricultural extension and rural development agency with a vision of achieving national economic growth and stability through agricultural development. RADA is an ISO-9001:2015 certified entity, that means it meets a globally recognized standard for quality management systems, and it is an indication of RADA’s commitment to maintain and improve the quality of service to its many stakeholders.

A core function of the organization is to provide technical advice to farmers and to strengthen farming groups. Therefore, RADA’s extension staff and other team members need to gain additional knowledge and skills in social media strategies for agricultural outreach and related topics to improve the operations of rural farmers’ groups.

To navigate the evolving digital landscape, RADA is requesting a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) with expertise in digital communications who can offer valuable insights into best practices for crafting engaging content, selecting appropriate platforms, and utilizing data analytics to evaluate outreach effectiveness. This would empower RADA staff to better connect with farmers, youth, and stakeholders in a timely and cost-effective manner. Most importantly, the collaboration would support RADA’s broader goals of innovation and organizational development under its Vision 2030 strategy. Investing in staff training in digital outreach not only builds institutional capacity but also promotes sustainability and resilience in the face of challenges.

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:

• Assess RADA’s current social media and online content practice
• Co-design training sessions that may include the following topics: social media strategy development, content planning, content creation and storytelling, platform management, best practices for digital engagement and community building using data analytics and insights, mobile-friendly tools, and reputation management
• Co-conduct a 2-hour training session for RADA staff
• Participate in a weekly 2-hour planning, preparation and evaluation sessions 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.-5:00 p.m. Jamaica time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.

The Host Country Counterpart will have access to Zoom, WhatsApp and Email 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:

• 3 years developing digital communications, brand campaigns, or social media content development
• Conducting training sessions related to social media strategy, content planning and digital engagement
  
  

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