Virtual Service Co-facilitator, Summer Media Literacy Club

Virtual Service Co-facilitator, Summer Media Literacy Club

Peace Corps is seeking a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to co-facilitate a Summer Media Literacy Club for college students in Ukraine. This six-week virtual service aims to enhance English language skills, media literacy understanding, and intercultural competencies among motivated college-aged students.

Eligibility

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

Activity/Project Background

A leading state business college in central Ukraine, specializing in training specialists for the modern economy, is partnering with Peace Corps. This college provides bachelor's and professional junior bachelor's degrees in various fields including economics, management and marketing, computer engineering & information technology, graphic and multimedia design, and accounting and finance. Recognizing the need to prepare students for a global economy, the college emphasizes strong English language proficiency and media literacy skills.

The college has requested a VSPP to support their summer media literacy club. The VSPP will collaborate with a co-instructor to lead a group of 15–20 students. The club's objectives are to improve students' English command, boost their confidence in using English for academic purposes related to Media Literacy, enhance their communication skills, and strengthen their intercultural competencies.

The college is familiar with Peace Corps collaborations and understands the distinct nature of a VSPP role compared to traditional Peace Corps Volunteer positions.

Engagement and Tasks

The Virtual Service Co-facilitator will work in close collaboration with a host country partner to:

• Co-design eight comprehensive session plans focused on media literacy for club meetings. These plans will include clear policies, procedures, resources, and defined outcomes, all designed to encourage language proficiency, confidence, and cultural understanding.
• Co-develop effective learning resources, carefully considering ESL teaching techniques and technologies, U.S. education procedures, and opportunities for intercultural immersion.
• Co-teach two 90-minute virtual media literacy club sessions each week for a group of 15–20 students throughout the four-week engagement period.
• Co-assess the effectiveness of the sessions, utilizing insights from these assessments to identify precise learning objectives and appropriate communicative activities for subsequent sessions.

The VSPP is expected to dedicate an estimated 5–15 hours per week to these tasks, with the actual engagement estimated to be 5–6 hours per week. Online collaboration sessions will generally take place between 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Ukraine time, with specific timings to be finalized during orientation.

The host country counterpart will utilize email, WhatsApp, Zoom, and Google Meet for consistent communication and collaboration. Adhering to the Child Protection Code of Conduct, two adults must be present when engaging online with minors (0–18).

Optional Additional Activities

The Peace Corps' overarching mission is to foster world peace and friendship through three primary goals:

1. To assist interested countries in fulfilling their need for trained men and women.
2. To promote a greater understanding of Americans among the people served.
3. To foster a deeper understanding of other cultures among Americans.

Goal 1 will be achieved directly through the VSPP's active engagement and successful completion of the outlined tasks. Both the counterpart and VSPP have the option to identify and implement an activity that supports Goal 2. Additionally, the VSPP may choose to identify and execute a Goal 3 activity during their service. Recommendations and tools for Goal 3 activities will be provided.

Essential Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in any field

Experience:

• 1 year teaching college or university students.
• Experience teaching or facilitating sessions, presentations, workshops, or public talks on media literacy, communications, or media topics for adult audiences.

Intercultural skills and motivation: Candidates should be flexible, possess strong cross-cultural agility, demonstrate a high tolerance for ambiguity, be capable of working independently, show resourcefulness and creativity, and be genuinely motivated and capable of serving virtually.

Key skills/competency

• Media Literacy
• ESL Teaching Techniques
• Cross-cultural Communication
• Virtual Facilitation
• English Language Proficiency
• Curriculum Design
• Session Assessment
• Digital Literacy
• Remote Collaboration
• Intercultural Competence