About this role
Support Youth Leadership and Employability Skills Development Club
Description: The Window on America Centers (WOAs) in Ukraine provide resources and learning opportunities for youth who want to improve their English proficiency while gaining practical life skills. The spaces represent strong collaboration between the United States and Ukraine and offer a variety of activities, such as lectures, presentations, workshops, trainings, discussions, public activities, and civil society-led initiatives to target Ukraine’s emerging voices, active citizens, and young leaders.
During the war, WOAs have worked to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have lost their homes and jobs. Youth in these areas are faced with rebuilding their lives, often having to start their careers from scratch and acquire new skills. Amidst the challenges of wartime, both displaced and non-displaced youth are grappling with emotional obstacles and lacking the necessary support to nurture their strengths and regain confidence.
WOAs are seeking the support of one Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to support youth leadership and employability skills development club. The VSPP is expected to co-facilitate a club for young adults (aged 18–35) to rediscover their strengths and develop essential leadership skills for success in the job market. The club will cover a wide range of topics that will prepare students for internships or other work-based learning opportunities. Through collaboration with the VSPP, students will learn about resume writing, interviewing techniques, and networking. Participants will also get an opportunity to learn about America and American culture, which will broaden their global understanding.
The organization has previously collaborated with the Peace Corps through a Virtual Service Pilot engagement in 2024–2025. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a Peace Corps Volunteer or Peace Corps Response Volunteer.
Desired Qualifications: Education: Bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, education, social science, or related field
Language: Basic Ukrainian
Experience: • Virtual engagement and communication • Conducting training and facilitation on resiliency and/or employability skills
Required Skills: Education: Bachelor’s degree in any field
Experience: 1 year working with young adults, aged 18–35, in some capacity, such as a teacher, counselor, mentor, coach, or volunteer
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: The Window on America (WoA) program aims to foster mutual understanding and collaboration between the U.S. and Ukraine. The program connects diverse individuals primarily between the aged 18–35 through a network of local hubs with information, resources, and space to cultivate a sense of community and belonging in Ukraine. WoA offers a variety of activities, such as lectures, presentations, workshops, trainings, discussions, public activities, and civil society-led initiatives to target Ukraine’s emerging voices, active citizens, and young leaders. It aims to improve English language skills, digital and media literacy, and support the development of resilient communities and civil society across Ukraine.
Window on America centers in Kharkiv, Vinnytsia, and Poltava 1. Kateryna Lyskova, coordinator of WoA Kharkiv, Deputy Director of Central Scientific Library V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University 2. Kateryna Skomarovska, Head of the Window on America Center, Vinnytsia Regional Universal Scientific Library named after Valentyn Otamanovskyi 3. Olena Turkina, Head of the Department of Foreign Language Documents at the Poltava Regional Universal Scientific Library named after I.P. Kotlyarevsky
Virtual Service Engagement and Tasks: The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their host country partners:
• Co-assess students’ current knowledge and skill level to establish priority areas for focus in club sessions • Co-design or co-adapt a resource pack of at least 10 session plans on topics related to leadership and career development • Co-facilitate a weekly 1-hour online club • Attend a weekly meeting with the Ukrainian counterpart for feedback and discussion • Co-facilitate club meetings and include cultural events on topics, such as American holidays and historical events
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, WhatsApp, and Telegram for regular communication and collaboration.
Per the Child Protection Code of Conduct, when engaging online with minors (0–18), two adults must be present.