Activity/project background
Partner: Mongolian Remote Sensing Society (MRSS) (Local NGO)
Established in 2012, Mongolian Remote Sensing Society (MRSS) is an NGO located in Ulaanbaatar and a membership organization of the Mongolian Environment Civil Council (MECC). MECC was established as an umbrella organization of environmental NGOs in November 2008 during the first Assembly of Environmental NGOs. Today, MECC has 22 local branch councils with a membership of over 350 NGOs that work in the field of environment and human right protection.
MECC established the first Green Parliament of Mongolia in January 27, 2011. The Parliament consists of 31 members and they are representatives of environmental NGOs. The mission of Environmental Parliament of Mongolia is to discuss the most current matters regarding environmental policies, laws, and regulations governing environment and functions to influence for the Parliament and other law execution bodies on such issues. MRSS leads MECC’s Green Parliament with representatives of 21 provinces and 3 city branch councils attending MRSS’ trainings.
In the last 8 years, MRSS has implemented numerous national level projects focused on waste management and air pollution reduction. In the future, MRSS aims to provide capacity-building training on waste landfill management. Mongolia is divided into 22 provinces, 330 districts (villages), and 3 cities. In each of these units, there are large, open burning waste sites available all year round.
The Research Training Program Has The Following Objectives:
- Provide an opportunity for trainees from every province to study and review landfill waste management technology (incineration factory, transportation technology, mining waste management)
- Review quantitative and qualitative data on landfill and waste incineration technology research methodologies, using various analysis techniques
- Discuss selected peer-reviewed published articles on topics, such as proper methodology of waste transportation logistics for small cities, waste incineration factories, and landfill best practices
MRSS is seeking the support of a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to enhance their staff’s capacity on a range of environmental topics including but not limited to, landfill technology, micro plastic pollution, waste incineration factory, mining waste, and behavioral changes.
The organization has not previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. They understand that the role of a VSPP is different than a two-year Volunteer.
Engagement and tasks
The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their Host Country Partners:
- Review the organization’s existing project implementation plan and materials
- Co-design an environmental research virtual training program on topics including, but not limited to, landfill technology, micro plastic pollution, waste incineration factory, mining waste, and behavioral changes
- Assist in identifying peer-reviewed journal articles to review with the trainees
- Co-develop presentations describing the review and systematic study of published journal articles covering the following topics: research methods, findings and outcomes, limitations and constraints and applicability to the local context
- Co- facilitate 1.5-hour-long training sessions twice a week for approximately 15-25 trainees
VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5-15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be 7-12 hours. There will be no engagement during U.S. and Mongolian holidays.
Online collaboration will generally occur between 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Mongolian time. Scheduling is flexible; for convenience, specific times will be co-determined during orientation.
Host Country Partners will have access to Zoom, Google Meet, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and email 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 solid waste management, environmental science, environmental studies, engineering, or related field
Experience:
- 3 years of experience in solid waste management, sanitation, or related experience
- Experience training 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
Desired Qualifications
Education: Master’s degree in solid waste management, environmental science, environmental studies, engineering, or related field
Experience:
- Experience with virtual engagement and communication
- 5 years of experience in solid waste management, sanitation, or related experience
- Experience with environmental health surveillance programming
- Experience with landfill and waste incineration factory technology investigations
- Experience with mining waste 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.
