About this role
Support Outreach, Storytelling, Visibility, and Engagement Strategies
Description: The Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM) Mzuzu Branch is a regional environmental organization operating across the Northern Region districts of Mzimba, Rumphi, Karonga, and Chitipa. Established in 1981, the branch is overseen by a volunteer committee supported by two technical staff members and maintains its main office in Mzuzu under the national secretariat in Blantyre. Current activities include delivering environmental education programs in schools and universities, supporting natural resource management initiatives such as wetlands and biodiversity conservation, conducting environmental awareness and advocacy campaigns, and collaborating with partner institutions on conservation efforts.
The branch faces several capacity gaps that limit the scale and sustainability of its work. These include limited technical skills in proposal development and fundraising, a small workforce to manage communication and storytelling on ongoing projects, and few connections with international partners and donors. There is also a need for strengthened member capacity in writing, communication, and resource mobilization, to support the expansion of core environmental education and conservation activities.
WESM is requesting a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to support communications outreach and storytelling. The VSPP will collaborate with a counterpart to support conservation story development and formulate a communications strategy to enhance visibility, enrich public engagement, and strengthen communication materials that highlight conservation work in the region. The VSPP will contribute to developing practical storytelling content, improving visibility of branch activities, building external partnerships, and training members in targeted skills to ensure longer‑term institutional capacity.
WESM has previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. However, this engagement represents the first collaboration between WESM Mzuzu Branch and the Peace Corps Virtual Service Pilot, thus offering an opportunity to establish strong foundations for future support. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a Peace Corps Volunteer or Peace Corps Response Volunteer.
Desired Qualifications: Education: Master’s degree in environmental communication, environmental journalism, marketing, or conservation science
Experience: • Virtual engagement and communication • Developing digital content such as blogs, social media posts, newsletters, or short videos related to environmental or social causes • Working with international teams, community organizations, or cross-cultural collaboration settings. • Comfort using additional digital tools such as Canva, WordPress, or social media scheduling platforms (e.g., Hootsuite)
Required Skills: Education: Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, environmental education, communications, journalism, conservation, or related field
Experience: • 1 year in environmental conservation, communications, storytelling, or social impact project work (volunteer, academic, or professional) • Developing professional written content (articles, stories, reports, or communication materials) • Using digital platforms for communication or outreach (e.g., social media, websites, newsletters) • Basic proficiency with online collaboration tools such as Google Workspace (Docs, Drive, Meet) or similar platforms
Intercultural Skills and Motivation: Flexible, strong cross-cultural agility, high tolerance for ambiguity, able to work independently, resourceful, creative, and genuinely motivated and capable of serving virtually
Host Country Partner’s Mission and Goals: Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM) envisions a Malawi where wildlife and the natural environment are conserved through informed action, strong public participation, and sustainable management. As a leading membership organization, WESM promotes environmental awareness, advocates for conservation, and works to ensure that protection of natural resources leads to visible and measurable impact across the country.
Through its mission, WESM empowers communities, schools, and stakeholders to actively engage in the wise use of natural resources while championing conservation in both local and national development spaces. Its work includes strengthening environmental education, supporting school wildlife clubs, and equipping young people with knowledge and skills to become future conservation leaders. WESM focuses on transforming attitudes toward conservation; mobilizing people and resources for action; expanding outreach through school and community programs; and building itself into an effective, unified, and financially sustainable organization.
Virtual Service Engagement and Tasks: The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their host country partners:
• Co-develop and publish at least one conservation story per month for WESM platforms (website, social media, partner outlets) • Facilitate monthly virtual mentoring sessions to build member capacity in storytelling, proposal writing, and donor communication • Co-design annual visibility and public engagement strategy
VSPPs are expected to engage in the tasks listed above for an estimated 5–15 hours per week. This engagement is planned for approximately 12 hours per week, including two hours of synchronous virtual meetings and coaching sessions.
Online collaboration will generally occur between 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Central African Time, with specific times determined during orientation based on mutual availability.
The host country partner will have access to the full Google Suite, Zoom, email, 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.