Support with hosting Online English Discussion Club

Host entity: Rousto Charity

Application deadline: 08/10/2026

Mission and objectives

Our mission is to promote the social, economic, intellectual and informational development of cities and districts of Tajikistan, particularly through the empowerment of youth and women.

Assignment context

This Online English Discussion Club is a core component of our broader Youth Empowerment Initiative. While formal education programs often focus heavily on written grammar and theory, they frequently lack the resources to provide live, interactive speaking practice. This project was launched to bridge that gap. The volunteer contribution fits into a sustainable, peer-led learning ecosystem where international volunteers work alongside local staff to provide accessible, high-quality, and non-formal educational spaces. The insights and feedback gathered by the volunteer during these sessions will directly inform our upcoming project reporting and future educational curriculum designs.

To accomplish this task effectively, the volunteer might want to understand and embody the following organizational principles:

Strict Neutrality & Inclusivity: Our organization operates under strict principles of neutrality, equity, and mutual respect. The volunteer must ensure that discussion topics remain culturally sensitive and strictly avoid divisive political, religious, or highly controversial subjects.

Safe Space Mandate: We prioritize the psychological safety of our beneficiaries. The volunteer needs to understand our code of conduct regarding zero tolerance for discrimination, harassment, or bias, and know the protocol for escalating any sensitive issues to the staff supervisor.

Non-Formal Pedagogy: We do not operate as a traditional, rigid academic institution. The volunteer must understand that our approach is centered on informal, conversational, and peer-to-peer learning, where building participant confidence is prioritized over correcting minor grammatical mistakes.

Task description

The selected online volunteer will be asked to host and facilitate our Online English Discussion Club for senior school students (9-11 grade) and adults (university students and any adult wishing to improve their English) taking place once a week through Zoom in the evenings by Tajikistan time (UTC +5). The Online Volunteer will be asked to lead interactive group discussions, encouraging participation from all fluency levels, and creating a welcoming online community. Rather than teaching formal grammar, the host will focus on keeping conversations flowing naturally through thought-provoking prompts, icebreakers, and structured group activities.
The online volunteer can be asked to find and recommend speakers to make presentations during the classes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Session Preparation: Design weekly discussion themes, icebreakers, and conversational prompts tailored to diverse cultural backgrounds and varying levels of English proficiency.

Live Facilitation: Host weekly, 60 to 90-minute live conversational sessions via Zoom, ensuring balanced participation and a respectful, inclusive atmosphere.
Peer Collaboration: Coordinate weekly with the Rousto team to align on topics, share feedback, and ensure curriculum continuity.
Participant Engagement: Manage online breakout rooms during sessions to facilitate smaller, high-yield peer-to-peer discussions.

Skills and experience

We expect to have Online Volunteer with the below skills and experience:

Education: A university degree in Education, English Philology, Communications, International Relations, or a related social sciences field would be desirable.

Language: Native English proficiency OR certified C1/C2 level (advanced/fluent) with excellent spoken and written communication skills.

Essential Experience Facilitation or Teaching: experience in teaching, tutoring, mentoring, or hosting discussion groups, workshops, or public speaking events.

Digital Tools: experience using video conferencing tools (specifically Zoom, including advanced functions like managing breakout rooms, screen-sharing, and chat moderation.

Cross-Cultural Sensitivity: ability to interact respectfully, patiently, and effectively with people from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic backgrounds.

Active Listening & Empathy: capability to encourage quiet or hesitant participants, manage dominant speakers, and maintain a warm, encouraging, and non-judgmental environment.

Adaptability & Dynamic Energy: Ability to think on your feet, pivot discussion topics when interest wanes, and use creative icebreakers to keep energy levels high in a virtual setting.

Reliability & Punctuality: adherence to schedules and session times, as participants rely heavily on the consistency of the club.

Desirable (Optional but Asset) QualificationsTEFL/TESOL/CELTA certification is a strong asset but not mandatory.

Experience volunteering or working in an international development context or with multicultural communities online.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.