Activity/project background
Partner: Public Library (Mayor’s) Office (Volontiri Village, Stefan-Voda region) (Government)
The mission of the Volintiri Library in Moldova is to become a community center for learning, information, personal development, and spending leisure time in a useful and interesting way. Beyond that, another large responsibility of the library is to assist the town hall in the development and implementation of community development projects.
However, to do so, the library needs a digital, online storage solution for data, documents, and project proposals. This new storage space must be accessible to both library staff and town hall colleagues involved in the projects. As of now, the library and town hall do not have a joint server and everything is stored across several Google drive accounts belonging to different staff members, which is not a sustainable or effective long-term solution.
A Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) is being requested to help library staff to identify the best solution and/or create a digital data storage and file management system to facilitate online collaboration between different organizations and departments in the community. Additionally, the VSPP will mentor select staff members from the library, local school, and mayor’s office throughout the engagement so they may learn how to correctly file documents, draft proposals, budgets, and use available digital tools to increase the effectiveness of the online collaboration and sharing of the files.
The organization has previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a two-year Volunteer.
Engagement and tasks
The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their Host Country Partners:
- Co-assess current data and file storage system and the needs for library staff and town hall users
- Collaborate with library staff to create and manage a digital file system and file map with a designated place for general information for all employees, and a separate password protected space with limited access for specific projects
- Train 6 staff members (1 from the library, 2 from the local school, and 3 from the mayor’s office) on updating and maintaining the new digital file system
- Co-train staff on effective methods for tracking project development such as meeting notes, budgets, draft proposals, etc.
VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5-15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be 6 hours per week.
Online collaboration will generally occur between 3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Moldova time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.
The Host Country Counterpart will have access to Google Meet for regular communication and collaboration.
Per the Child Protection Code of Conduct, when engaging online with minors (0-18), two adults must be present.
Optional additional activities
The Peace Corps mission is to promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three goals:
- To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
- To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
- To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
Goal 1 will be achieved through the VSPP's engagement and completion of the above tasks. The counterpart and VSPP may also choose to identify an activity that aligns with Goal 2. Additionally, the VSPP may identify a Goal 3 activity to implement during their engagement. See recommendations and tools for Goal 3 activities.
Essential Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in any field
Language: Basic Romanian or Russian
Experience:
- Experience managing and organizing online data and documents
- Experience with digital file management
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
Desired Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in library science or related field
Experience:
- Experience with virtual engagement and communication
- Experience with organizational development
- Experience with project design and management
Terms and conditions of engagement
VSPPs will be engaging with the host country partner, in coordination with Peace Corps post staff, remotely from the US. They should have access to a computer, internet, and telephone in order to enable direct engagement with the Peace Corps overseas office and the Host Country Counterpart assigned by the host country partner.
Orientation with the host country partner will be provided, within the designated virtual service hours, during the first week of virtual service via an online presentation and discussion. The host country partner will provide an overview of its organization, the local context, and how they envision collaborating with the VSPP.
The VSPP will have regular check-ins with their counterpart and bi-weekly check-ins with Peace Corps staff. Spending unstructured time with counterparts can be critical to relationship-building and is encouraged through activities such as coffee chats and informal calls within the weekly 5-15 hours.
Engagement safety and security
The VSPP will receive an orientation on Peace Corps’ Child Protection Policy and how it relates to online engagement along with IT security best practices. The VSPP will be expected to follow safety and security guidelines for online engagement to ensure their safety and that of the Host Country Partner and their counterpart, and any beneficiaries of the engagement.
Supervision requirements
The VSPP will report to a designated Peace Corps staff member. The VSPP will be expected to abide by the Virtual Service Pilot Participant and Donation Agreement and Participant Principles of Engagement. The VSPP will also be expected to check in with the designated host country counterpart as assigned by the host county partner.
