Activity/project background
Partner: Road Safety Council of Eswatini (Government)
Established with the mandate to lead and coordinate all road safety activities in the country, the Road Safety Council of Eswatini (RSCE) launched the country’s first road safety strategy with the vision to eliminate fatal and serious injuries on the country’s roads by 2063. The intermediate goal is to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030 in line with the global United Nations (UN) target.
Current data indicates that on average, the country loses 200 people annually to road crashes, and over 700 get seriously injured, costing the country approximately $414 million USD or 10.8% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The need to address road safety issues is prudent for the country’s economic and social growth.
The priorities as set in the strategy are to: strengthen the council’s capacity to lead, govern, and coordinate road safety through review and enactment of relevant legislation; educate the public on road safety; strengthen the enforcement of traffic laws and regulations; improve road infrastructure and accident response mechanisms; digitalize the collection of quality, complete, and comprehensive road safety data; and conduct relevant research to inform ongoing improvements of road safety in the country
However, RSCE needs financial and technical assistance to develop activities for each of the objectives above. Therefore, a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) is requested to support the RSCE to develop funding proposals that will attract local and international individual and corporate donors. The participant will work in collaboration with the council board’s chairperson, the resource mobilization and finance and audit subcommittees chairpersons to build capacity on writing effective funding proposals.
The organization has previously requested a Peace Corps Response Volunteer. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a two-year Volunteer and Response Volunteer.
Engagement and tasks
The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their Host Country Partners:
- Assess current funding proposal development practices to determine areas for improvement
- Support council members on writing compelling funding proposals
- Empower council members to maintain accurate records of donated fund and grants
- Share best practices on how to be compliant with donor policies and regulations
- Co-develop fundraising performance and financial status reports for internal and external stakeholders
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 8:00 a.m.-5: 00 p.m. Eswatini time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.
The Host Country Counterpart will have access to Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp 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 any field
Experience: 1 year of experience in fundraising and/or grant management for non-profit organizations
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 public administration, nonprofit management or related field
Experience
- 1 year of experience in urban and regional planning or road management and engineering
- 3 years of experience in fundraising and/or grant management for non-profit organizations
- Experience working with diverse groups of stakeholders
- Experience with virtual engagement and communication
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.
