About this role
Co-facilitate Youth Club to Build Communication and Life Skills
Description: Five lyceums in Ukraine seek the support of one Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) each to co-develop after-school clubs that equip students with the life skills and knowledge needed for resilient conflict resolution, goal setting, decision-making and communication. The lyceums aim to establish after-school clubs that provide a safe and supportive learning environment where students can build confidence, enhance teamwork, unlock leadership potential, and improve collaboration. Under the VSPPs’ guidance, students will engage in practical exercises and collaborative projects designed to strengthen their communication skills, including self-presentation, problem-solving abilities, decision-making, critical thinking, emotional intelligence and adaptability.
The clubs will equip students from grades 8–11 (aged 13–17) with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to become effective, competitive youth and community changemakers, whose involvement and leadership will be essential to create a sustainable, peaceful, and prosperous future for post-war Ukraine. Club topics may include the following: building a clear sense of direction, integrating technology and innovation, and supporting service-learning projects. Students will also learn communication skills and techniques for effective leadership, such as active listening, providing feedback, and overcoming communication barriers.
The organizations have previously collaborated with the Peace Corps through the Virtual Service Pilot. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a Peace Corps Volunteer or Peace Corps Response Volunteer.
Desired Qualifications: Language: Basic Ukrainian
Experience: • Virtual engagement and communication • Working with youth to develop critical thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and communication skills
Required Skills: Education: Bachelor’s degree in any field
Experience: • Working with youth, aged 13–17, in some capacity, such as a teacher, counselor, mentor, coach, or volunteer • Facilitating virtual educational sessions
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
Host Country Partner’s Mission and Goals: Five lyceums (high schools, serving students aged 13– 17) have missions to help students develop a clearer sense of direction and build the knowledge and skills they need to successfully navigate their futures. The lyceums provide dynamic and inclusive learning environments that foster intellectual curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking during school activities and in after-school clubs. In addition to academic knowledge, these institutions aim to help youth to develop confidence in decision-making, problem solving, conflict resolution, communication skills, emotional intelligence, setting life goals, self-respect, socialization, and stress relief – all to empower youth to make a positive impact in their communities and in Ukraine.
Five lyceums have requested one VSPP each to support these clubs. Their respective host country counterparts are listed below:
1. Nataliia Kravchenko - English teacher, Lyceum No.16 of Melitopol City Council
2. Hanna Kudrinova-English teacher, Mariupol lyceum in Kyiv city
3. Iryna Kharchenko, a teacher of English, the Head of the Methodological Committee of Foreign Language teachers- Taras Shevchenko Lyceum, Kropyvnytskyi, Kirovohrad oblast
4. Tetiana Ostakh, English teacher, Oster lyceum, Chernihiv oblast
5. Halyna Zhalovaha, English teacher, Vice principal of extra curriculum activities, v. Zymne, Volyn oblast
Virtual Service Engagement and Tasks: The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their host country partners:
• Co-assess current skills and priorities of club members • Co-design the virtual after-school club curriculum with a focus on communication and life skills • Co-develop 13 session plans for virtual club meetings • Co-facilitate a 1-hour weekly virtual club meeting for groups of 15–20 students (aged 13–17) • 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
VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5–15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be five hours per week.
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, Telegram, 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.