About this role
Description
Based in Kyiv, Ukraine, this civil society support organization (CSO) works nationwide to strengthen local civil society organizations, community initiatives, and civic leaders, with particular attention to organizations operating in frontline, war-affected, and underserved communities. It currently implements grant-making, organizational development, capacity-building, research, and advocacy initiatives that enhance the resilience, sustainability, and effectiveness of civil society.
The organization also supports locally led recovery, mental health and psychosocial support, youth engagement, social services, and democratic participation through partnerships with communities, public institutions, and international donors. By combining financial support with long-term mentoring, learning opportunities, networking, and evidence generation, it helps civil society play a leading role in Ukraine’s recovery and democratic development.
The organization supports CSOs, communities and public officials affected by the war. Their frequent participation in various international events has exposed gaps in adequate English language proficiency required for successful communication with partners and donors. This deficiency impedes effective attraction of funding for recovery and reconstruction. Thus, there is an urgent need for business English skill development to advance their work.
The organization is seeking the support of one Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to co-teach Business English for 10–15 NGO employees who wish to collaborate more closely with international partners and utilize English language resources more effectively. Specifically, the virtual engagement will focus on equipping the organization staff with useful business English etiquette on the topics of networking, professional emails, presentations, customer service, negotiations, following up, time management and cultural views of time, building rapport, excelling in international business, and communicating in a virtual world.
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.
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
ISAR Ednannia, known as “Ednannia” (meaning “Joining Forces” in Ukrainian), is a long-standing Ukrainian civil society organization founded in 1999 to strengthen and unite grassroots initiatives for democratic development and social action. Over 25 years, it has become one of the largest grant makers in Ukraine, supporting hundreds of socially beneficial projects annually.
The organization’s mission is to nurture and unite leaders of the nation — those who bring people together into communities and lead them forward — and to improve lives by creating new professional, kind, and proactive traditions. It aims to make the lives of Ukrainian citizens better, easier, and more meaningful, while connecting those who need with those who can help.
ISAR Ednannia’s work is guided by several interconnected goals:
- 1. Support and Develop Civil Society
- 2. Promote Strategic Philanthropy
- 3. Empower Youth and Leadership
- 4. Facilitate Cross-Sectoral Dialogue and Cooperation
- 5. Support Community Initiatives
- 6. Enable Democracy and Social Change
Key operational objectives include
- Providing grants and funding for socially useful initiatives across Ukraine
- Offering training, consulting, and research services to strengthen NGO capacity
- Creating a marketplace for services and tenders to connect providers and CSOs
- Supporting recovery, resilience, and European integration through partnerships with international donors
Virtual Service Engagement and Tasks
The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their host country partners:
- Co-conduct an introductory needs assessment during the first two weeks of the engagement to identify staff members’ Business English priorities, confidence levels, and common professional communication scenarios.
- Co-design a practical English-Speaking Club curriculum and session materials focused on the organization’s international work, including networking, meetings, presentations, professional correspondence, partnership discussions, negotiations, and intercultural communication.
- Co-facilitate one 90-minute English Speaking Club session per week for approximately 10–15 adult staff members, using discussion, role-play, case scenarios, and practical vocabulary exercises.
- Provide practical feedback and reusable language resources after sessions to help participating staff strengthen confidence, clarity, and professional communication in English.
- If appropriate and mutually agreed, support the organization in preparing a short public reflection on the collaboration and key learning outcomes for its communication channels.
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 including preparation.
Online collaboration will generally occur twice a week between 3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m., Ukraine time on weekdays, each session lasting for about an hour. Specific times will be determined during orientation.
Per the Child Protection Code of Conduct, when engaging online with minors (0–18), two adults must be present.
Desired Qualifications
Education: TEFL, TESOL, Cambridge, or similar certification
Language: Basic Ukrainian
Experience
- Virtual engagement and communication
- Teaching business English
- Experience working with nonprofit organizations focused on human rights, education or advocacy