Start date
September 2, 2026

End date
March 10, 2027

Duration
27 weeks

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

Activity/project background

The Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM) Mzuzu Branch is a regional environmental organization operating across the Northern Region districts of Mzimba, Rumphi, Karonga, and Chitipa. Established in 1981, the branch is overseen by a volunteer committee supported by two technical staff members and maintains its main office in Mzuzu under the national secretariat in Blantyre. Current activities include delivering environmental education programs in schools and universities, supporting natural resource management initiatives such as wetlands and biodiversity conservation, conducting environmental awareness and advocacy campaigns, and collaborating with partner institutions on conservation efforts.

The branch faces several capacity gaps that limit the scale and sustainability of its work. These include limited technical skills in proposal development and fundraising, a small workforce to manage communication and storytelling on ongoing projects, and few connections with international partners and donors. There is also a need for strengthened member capacity in writing, communication, and resource mobilization, to support the expansion of core environmental education and conservation activities.

WESM is requesting a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to support communications outreach and storytelling. The VSPP will collaborate with a counterpart to support conservation story development and formulate a communications strategy to enhance visibility, enrich public engagement, and strengthen communication materials that highlight conservation work in the region. The VSPP will contribute to developing practical storytelling content, improving visibility of branch activities, building external partnerships, and training members in targeted skills to ensure longer‑term institutional capacity.

WESM has previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. However, this engagement represents the first collaboration between WESM Mzuzu Branch and the Peace Corps Virtual Service Pilot, thus offering an opportunity to establish strong foundations for future support. 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-develop and publish at least one conservation story per month for WESM platforms (website, social media, partner outlets)
• Facilitate monthly virtual mentoring sessions to build member capacity in storytelling, proposal writing, and donor communication
• Co-design annual visibility and public engagement strategy
  
  

VSPPs are expected to engage in the tasks listed above for an estimated 5–15 hours per week. This engagement is planned for approximately 12 hours per week, including two hours of synchronous virtual meetings and coaching sessions.

Online collaboration will generally occur between 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Central African Time, with specific times determined during orientation based on mutual availability.

The host country partner will have access to the full Google Suite, Zoom, email, and 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 environmental studies, environmental education, communications, journalism, conservation, or related field

Experience:

• 1 year in environmental conservation, communications, storytelling, or social impact project work (volunteer, academic, or professional)
• Developing professional written content (articles, stories, reports, or communication materials)
• Using digital platforms for communication or outreach (e.g., social media, websites, newsletters)
• Basic proficiency with online collaboration tools such as Google Workspace (Docs, Drive, Meet) or similar platforms
  
  

Intercultural Skills and Motivation: Flexible, strong cross-cultural agility, high tolerance for ambiguity, able to work independently, resourceful, creative, and genuinely motivated and capable of serving virtually