Start date
August 25, 2026

End date
March 2, 2027

Duration
27 weeks

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

Activity/project background

The Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf (CCCD) is an organization in Jamaica that provides the deaf with an accessible education and authentic community through the operation of three residential schools and one Deaf village. For over 60 years, students have been able to learn sign language, gain an education, obtain vocational skills, and be integrated into wider society. However, many will graduate and have nowhere to go due to overall lack of awareness, rights, and accessibility for the Deaf in Jamaica. The Deaf village has apartments, a church, a woodworking shop, a community center, and the ability to employ and find gainful employment for its members.

Within the disabilities sector, CCCD is well known internationally; however, awareness of its work remains limited outside this community. As CCCD seeks to expand its visibility, strengthen its public presence in Jamaica, and diversify funding opportunities, the organization is prioritizing improvements to its website and overall communications strategy. CCCD hopes to better communicate Deaf culture, highlight programs and services, and reach new audiences. As part of this effort, the organization is exploring how emerging technologies, including AI supported tools, could enhance accessibility, user experience, and the delivery of sign language related content. To support these goals, CCD is requesting a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to strengthen strategic communications, guide improvements to website structure and messaging, and advise on feasible AI informed strategies that the organization could adopt over time.

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:

• Collaborate with CCCD to assess current website structure, content, and user experience, with attention to accessibility needs for Deaf users
• Co-develop a strategic communications plan that outlines key messages, priority audiences, and recommended improvements to CCCD’s digital presence
• Advise on and conduct website enhancements that improve clarity, engagement, and navigation, and outline possible pathways for integration of AI supported accessibility tools
• Create draft content, templates, or guidelines that strengthen CCCD’s online storytelling and highlight programs, services, and Deaf culture
• Build CCCD capacity by training its team members to update website content, manage communication workflows, and understand foundational concepts related to AI supported features they may pursue
  
  

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

Online collaboration will generally occur between 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Jamaica 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 communications, marketing, information technology, or related field

Experience:

• 1 year with website management or content development
• Developing or improving digital communication materials such as webpages, newsletters, or online campaigns, with ability to integrate website content, user experience considerations, and emerging technology considerations
  
  

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