About this role
Co-facilitate Business English Classes for Ukrainians
Description: The university is one of the largest leading universities in the west of Ukraine. It is committed to advancing education, research, and innovation in alignment with regional and national development priorities. The university actively promotes international collaboration and global partnerships to enhance academic quality and to expand opportunities for students and staff. It has a strong focus on equipping graduates with the professional, linguistic, and entrepreneurial skills needed to succeed in today’s global economy. To achieve this, the university regularly engages in international projects, exchanges, and volunteer initiatives that broaden learning experiences and support capacity-building.
The Department of Management and Business Administration is dedicated to preparing future leaders and professionals capable of driving innovation and sustainable economic growth. Current objectives include strengthening students’ competencies in business communication, enhancing their knowledge of international business practices, and fostering entrepreneurial thinking.
The university is seeking a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to facilitate business English classes for university students and faculty to strengthen students’ and faculty members’ business English and improve communication skills through practical and interactive sessions, introduce participants to international business practices, terminology, and cultural perspectives, and build confidence in professional communication for academic, entrepreneurial, and workplace contexts. The VSPP will provide valuable support by delivering interactive sessions in business English and offering students opportunities to practice using it in professional communication, as well as sharing global perspectives on management. This engagement would significantly enhance the department’s capacity to prepare students for competitive careers in international business and leadership.
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.
Desired Qualifications: Education: Relevant certification: TEFL, TESOL, Cambridge, or similar
Language: Intermediate Ukrainian
Experience: • Virtual engagement and communication • Teaching business English
Required Skills: Education: Bachelor's degree in any field
Experience: 1 year of TEFL/English teaching to university students or adults
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: Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University is dedicated to advancing education, research, and innovation that contribute to the sustainable development of the Ivano-Frankivsk region and Ukraine. The university fosters international collaboration, academic excellence, and the cultivation of professional and entrepreneurial skills among students and staff.
The university’s goals focus on strengthening global partnerships, enhancing research capacity, and promoting inclusive, high-quality education. Priority activities include expanding international cooperation, supporting startup and innovation ecosystems, delivering training programs aligned with societal and market needs, and advancing open science and digital transformation in higher education.
Host Country Counterpart: Iryna Hryhoruk, Head of Scientific and Research Department
Website: https://pnu.edu.ua/en/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PNUVS
Virtual Service Engagement and Tasks: The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their host country partners:
• Co-design session plans for 10–15 online sessions on business English and professional communication for both students and staff • Co-facilitate one interactive 90-minute online session per week focused on English for business, which encourages group discussion and debate along with providing key information through presentations • Provide feedback and resources to students and staff to support their continued skill development
VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5–15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be up to five hours per week with preparation.
Online collaboration will generally occur on Thursdays between 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. Ukraine time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.
The host country counterpart will have access to email, Zoom, 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.