YAF
Call for Mentors
About the Program
Youth unemployment remains a pressing challenge across the African continent. As a result, many talented and ambitious young Africans struggle to find meaningful employment opportunities or create sustainable businesses. To address this issue, we propose the establishment of a dynamic and impactful fellowship program designed to equip young Africans with the essential skills needed to find and create jobs.
Requirements
Applicant must be 18 or older
Experience & Knowledge: You should have relevant professional experience or entrepreneurial background. This allows you to share practical insights, mistakes, and lessons you've learned over time.
Effective Communication Skills: The ability to convey information, give feedback, and listen actively is crucial. You should be able to articulate ideas clearly and help mentees understand complex concepts.
Commitment and Availability: This means being available for you scheduled meetings, being punctual, and investing the necessary time to understand and assist the mentee.
Empathy and Patience: Every individual is different, and their pace of learning and understanding can vary. You should be patient, understanding, and empathetic, recognizing the unique challenges and backgrounds of your mentees.
Growth Mindset: You should be able to encourage a growth mindset, promoting continuous learning and adaptability. You should be open to new ideas and perspectives, even as you share your own experiences.
You should uphold ethical standards and confidentiality.
Style of Mentorship
We are adopting an “Open and Group Mentorship” approach for our this mentorship sessions, delivered primarily through workshops and webinars. Here’s what to expect and how you can prepare:
Diverse Audience: Your sessions will have multiple mentees attending at once. This means a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skill levels. Embrace this diversity as it can lead to rich discussions and holistic learning experiences.
Interactive Segments: While webinars might traditionally be more 'lecture-style', we encourage interaction. Pose questions, initiate polls, and maybe even have breakout sessions.
Shared Learning Environment: Given the group setting, mentees will not only learn from you but also from each other. Encourage collaboration, peer discussions, and group projects if applicable.
Structured Content: Given the time constraints of workshops and webinars, it's crucial to have a well-structured agenda. Break down your content into digestible chunks, interspersed with Q&A sessions or interactive elements.
Feedback Loops: Ensure there's a mechanism for mentees to provide feedback. This can be done through polls at the end of the session, feedback forms, or open discussion segments.
Availability for Follow-ups: While the group setting is effective for broad topics, some mentees might have specific queries. Consider setting aside some time post-session for individual questions or follow-up webinars to delve deeper into certain areas.
Engage with Technology: Familiarize yourself with the webinar tools. Whether it's sharing screens or managing chat rooms, being tech-savvy will enhance the mentoring experience.
Inclusivity: Some mentees might be hesitant to participate in a group setting. Foster a welcoming environment, and ensure every voice has the chance to be heard.
Prepare for a dynamic, engaging, and impactful mentorship journey. Remember, it’s not just about transferring knowledge but creating an environment where learning thrives. We believe that with your expertise and this collaborative approach, our mentees are in for an enriching experience!