Support Youth Employability and Life Skills Development Club

Job Description
Many young people in Ukraine, especially during the ongoing war, feel disoriented and uncertain about their future paths. They face high levels of stress, insecurity, and lack of resources to plan their lives with confidence. In this context, the development of employability and life skills—such as resiliency, communication, goal setting, self-presentation, job search, resume writing, and decision-making—is critical for both personal and professional growth.

Small cities in the western part of Ukraine are home to a significant number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who have lost their homes and jobs due to the ongoing war. Youth in these areas are faced with the task of rebuilding their lives, often having to start their careers/plans 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. To address this, a local NGO is conducting activities to cultivate the youth's leadership skills and boost their confidence, developing their employability skills and improving their English-speaking skills.

The local NGO seeks the support of one Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to support a youth employability and life skills development club for 10–15 participants (aged 14–24). The club will cover a wide range of topics: resume writing, interviewing techniques, networking as well as soft and life skills development including emotional intelligence, healthy relationship-building, effective communication, active listening, time management, problem-solving, decision-making, and stress management.

The organization has not previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. 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 any related field

Language: Basic Ukrainian

Experience:

• Virtual engagement and communication

• Conducting training and facilitation on resiliency and life skills

• Conducting training and facilitation on employability skills

Required Skills
Education: Bachelor's degree in any field

Experience: 1 year working with young adults, aged 14–24, in some capacity, such as a teacher, counselor, mentor or coach

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
NGO "YMCA Nyzhnje Selyshche – Khust" works to empower young people, strengthen their leadership and civic competencies, and promote personal growth. The organization provides a safe space for teenagers and youth to learn, implement their own initiatives, receive support, and gain vital life skills for their future.

Priority areas include the development of life skills, leadership, social cohesion, and youth volunteerism. YMCA actively engages vulnerable groups such as internally displaced persons, children of military service members, and adolescents from frontline regions.

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 a curriculum of at least 15 session plans on topics related to life skills, resiliency, and career development

• Co-facilitate a weekly 1-hour online club and include cultural events on topics, such as American holidays and historical events

• Attend a weekly meeting with the Ukrainian counterpart for feedback and discussion

VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5–15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be 5 hours per week.

Online collaboration will generally occur between 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. Kyiv time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.

The host country counterpart will have access to Zoom, Telegram¸ 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.

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