Start date
September 14, 2026

End date
December 26, 2026

Duration
15 weeks

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

Activity/project background

A Ukrainian NGO empowers Ukrainian youth through non-formal education, prioritizing English proficiency, leadership development, intercultural exchanges, and youth-led projects in partnership with local colleges.

Ukrainian youth have limited access to practical leadership development opportunities, particularly in contexts that require communication in English and engagement with global perspectives. A lack of understanding of the cultural, historical, and social context of the United States can further limit their confidence and ability to participate effectively in intercultural leadership environments. Strengthening leadership skills through exposure to diverse perspectives and real-world communication is essential for preparing youth to lead in both local and global contexts.

The NGO is seeking the support of one Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to co-facilitate an English language conversational club with a strong emphasis on leadership development through the exploration of American culture, history, and regional diversity. In collaboration with the local team, the VSPP will co-design and co-facilitate weekly 60–90 minutes sessions for 15–20 participants, aged 15–22. Sessions will focus on building confidence, facilitating peer leadership, encouraging initiative, and developing communication skills through real-life scenarios, discussions, and participant-led activities. Some sessions may include virtual peer-to-peer exchanges between Ukrainian youth and U.S. peers.

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 participants’ current English communication level, leadership skills, and knowledge of U.S. culture/history/regional diversity
• Co-design the virtual club curriculum with focus on communication and leadership skills
• Co-develop 12 session plans for virtual club meetings focused on American culture, history, and regional diversity
• Co-facilitate 60–90-minute virtual club meetings for 15–20 students (aged 15–22) each week to encourage participants’ confidence, peer leadership, initiative, and communication skills through guided discussions and intercultural exchanges
• Co-host cultural events devoted to American and Ukrainian holidays or historical events
• Attend a weekly meeting with the Ukrainian counterparts for feedback and planning
• Co-conduct final program evaluation during last week, documenting participant progress, outcomes, feedback, and recommendations
  
  

VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5–15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be six hours per week, including two hours of synchronous collaboration online with the host country partner.

Online collaboration will generally occur between 4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Kyiv time. Specific times will be determined during orientation

The host country counterpart will have access to Zoom, WhatsApp, Telegram, 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:

• Working with youth, aged 15-22, in some capacity as mentor, trainer, or facilitator of youth programming
• Virtual educational session facilitation using participatory or non-formal education methodologies
• Knowledge of or interest in American culture, history, and/or society
  
  

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