Develop Curriculum and Teach Palliative Care Course - Volunteer Position - Onsite in //h2[text()="Country"]/following-sibling::p[1]//text()[normalize-space()]

Peace Corps

Peace Corps

United States

Posted on Apr 12, 2026
Start date
July 1, 2026

End date
January 6, 2027

Duration
27 weeks

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

Activity/project background

The Department of Community Health Nursing Science within the Faculty of Health Sciences is pioneering the development of specialized palliative care nursing education programs to address critical gaps in the country's end-of-life care delivery system. The department currently provides undergraduate nursing education for nurses with majors in community and mental health nursing sciences and is expanding to offer specialized postgraduate training that will significantly enhance the country's capacity to address palliative care needs across diverse populations and healthcare settings. The focus is on promoting holistic health and well-being through active engagement and empowerment within communities, with particular emphasis on compassionate end-of-life care and comprehensive palliative care services.

Currently, there is limited faculty expertise in palliative care pedagogy and weak capacity for innovative teaching methods (e.g., simulation-based training or interprofessional modules). Thus, the university is seeking the support of one Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to support the Department of Community Health Nursing Science to establish innovative palliative care nursing education programs through collaborative curriculum development, faculty mentorship, and capacity strengthening initiatives. With the VSPP’s support, the department can scale evidence-based education to produce competent nurses, supporting national goals like Eswatini's health strategy for integrated palliative services. Throughout the 27-week engagement, the VSPP will engage in approximately 12 weekly hours of structured activities, including co-designing evidence-based curriculum modules covering pain management, symptom control, communication skills, psychosocial support, spiritual care, and family-centered approaches to palliative care.

The organization has previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a Peace Corps Volunteer or Peace Corps Response Volunteer.

Engagement and tasks

The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their host country partners:

  • Co-assess current curriculum and best practices from research
  • Co-design evidence-based curriculum modules for palliative care. Complete initial drafts within the first four weeks, with weekly check-ins for feedback, estimated to take two hours of asynchronous work per week
  • Conduct bi-weekly virtual 2-hour training sessions on advanced palliative care concepts: Each session will focus on specific topics, with approximately 8–12 faculty members participating, scheduled every other Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Eswatini time
  • Co-facilitate monthly 1-hour planning sessions to establish clinical placement partnerships: Collaborate with local healthcare facilities and develop strategies during these sessions, scheduled for the last Tuesday of each month at 3:00 p.m. Eswatini time
  • Provide mentorship to three faculty members on research methodologies specific to end-of-life care: Conduct monthly 1-hour mentoring sessions, starting within the first month of engagement, to support faculty in developing research projects

VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5–15 hours per week. This

engagement is estimated to be approximately 12 hours per week.

Online collaboration will generally occur between 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Eswatini time (SAST). 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: Master’s degree in palliative care

Experience

  • Virtual experience and communication
  • 3 years teaching university students or adults
  • Working palliative care

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