Holy Shit: Peace Corps Placement
Country: The Kyrgyz Republic
Program: Sustainable Economic and Organizational Development
Job Title: Community Services
Dates of Service: Sept. 14, 2005-Dec. 9, 2007 *
Orientation Dates: September 14-16, 2005 *
Pre-Service Training(in The Kyrgyz Republic): Sept.18-Dec. 9, 2005 *
YOUR PRIMARY DUTIES
People with a variety of backgrounds and experiences are being sought for Peace Corps/Kyrgyz Republic's Sustainable Economic and Organizational Development program. Those with backgrounds and experience in agriculture, or working at NGOs, or business development are all needed for this assignment.
Volunteers will work locally with individuals and community groups to facilitate the transition from the centralized management of the former Soviet Union, to one of empowerment for locally designed and managed development in a civil society. From local community groups and start-up organizations to regional branches of Bishkek-based organizations, individuals and groups are trying to fill the gaps created during this social and economic transition. NGOs have embarked on a challenging course to improve conditions by serving as a catalyst for community development.
Volunteers will work with private not-for-profit organizations, in very different stages of development, in a variety of settings throughout the Kyrgyz Republic. Most will work with grassroots, all-volunteer NGOs or community-based organizations.
As a SEOD Volunteer, you will:
· Assist community-based organizations to develop into sustainable, participatory and effective organizations. Volunteers help motivate community groups to take action through participatory needs assessment and analysis, assist organizations to develop project plans, including proposals to obtain financial assistance for short-term projects, coordinate workshops for organizations on the structure and management of an organization or facilitate the strategic planning process.
· Help improve access to information at the local level. Volunteers assist their communities to gain access to valuable information and work with their partner organizations to help procure, develop and disseminate information on a variety of topics. Activities include developing and distributing guides, directories, and newsletters to promote the region, sector or organization in which you are working; establishing a resource library; assisting clients and organizations in editing or translating materials; preparing information, and distributing through fax, electronic, or surface mail, and organizing technical advice for the sector in which the NGO serves, for example, environment, artisans, human rights, tourism, business etc.
· Work with organizations to develop effective networks and programs consistent with their organizational missions and the needs of the community. Volunteers will assist organizations to identify appropriate enterprise development for non-profit organizations that foster long-term sustainability; provide advice on project or business plan development, identify funding sources and help write grant proposals. By working with one another, Volunteers play a key role in facilitating communication among organizations with similar missions and fostering cooperation among smaller, rural NGOs.
From a grassroots level, Peace Corps Volunteers help Kyrgyzstanis to link with resources that are part of international efforts such as USAID, the Soros Foundation, TACIS and other international donors. Given the fact that many of the NGOs with whom you will work are in their infancy and that most NGOs operate solely with volunteer staff, SEOD Volunteers in the Kyrgyz Republic will work with more than one NGO or community group. You will be assigned to a primary organization that will serve as your “home” and will have other NGOs that you will provide assistance to.
Program: Sustainable Economic and Organizational Development
Job Title: Community Services
Dates of Service: Sept. 14, 2005-Dec. 9, 2007 *
Orientation Dates: September 14-16, 2005 *
Pre-Service Training(in The Kyrgyz Republic): Sept.18-Dec. 9, 2005 *
YOUR PRIMARY DUTIES
People with a variety of backgrounds and experiences are being sought for Peace Corps/Kyrgyz Republic's Sustainable Economic and Organizational Development program. Those with backgrounds and experience in agriculture, or working at NGOs, or business development are all needed for this assignment.
Volunteers will work locally with individuals and community groups to facilitate the transition from the centralized management of the former Soviet Union, to one of empowerment for locally designed and managed development in a civil society. From local community groups and start-up organizations to regional branches of Bishkek-based organizations, individuals and groups are trying to fill the gaps created during this social and economic transition. NGOs have embarked on a challenging course to improve conditions by serving as a catalyst for community development.
Volunteers will work with private not-for-profit organizations, in very different stages of development, in a variety of settings throughout the Kyrgyz Republic. Most will work with grassroots, all-volunteer NGOs or community-based organizations.
As a SEOD Volunteer, you will:
· Assist community-based organizations to develop into sustainable, participatory and effective organizations. Volunteers help motivate community groups to take action through participatory needs assessment and analysis, assist organizations to develop project plans, including proposals to obtain financial assistance for short-term projects, coordinate workshops for organizations on the structure and management of an organization or facilitate the strategic planning process.
· Help improve access to information at the local level. Volunteers assist their communities to gain access to valuable information and work with their partner organizations to help procure, develop and disseminate information on a variety of topics. Activities include developing and distributing guides, directories, and newsletters to promote the region, sector or organization in which you are working; establishing a resource library; assisting clients and organizations in editing or translating materials; preparing information, and distributing through fax, electronic, or surface mail, and organizing technical advice for the sector in which the NGO serves, for example, environment, artisans, human rights, tourism, business etc.
· Work with organizations to develop effective networks and programs consistent with their organizational missions and the needs of the community. Volunteers will assist organizations to identify appropriate enterprise development for non-profit organizations that foster long-term sustainability; provide advice on project or business plan development, identify funding sources and help write grant proposals. By working with one another, Volunteers play a key role in facilitating communication among organizations with similar missions and fostering cooperation among smaller, rural NGOs.
From a grassroots level, Peace Corps Volunteers help Kyrgyzstanis to link with resources that are part of international efforts such as USAID, the Soros Foundation, TACIS and other international donors. Given the fact that many of the NGOs with whom you will work are in their infancy and that most NGOs operate solely with volunteer staff, SEOD Volunteers in the Kyrgyz Republic will work with more than one NGO or community group. You will be assigned to a primary organization that will serve as your “home” and will have other NGOs that you will provide assistance to.