AWARD-ICWAE Mentoring Program

Women Agricultural Economists in the Global South

Program Overview
The Mentoring Program for Women Agricultural Economists in the Global South is a collaboration
of African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) and the International
Association of Agricultural Economics (IAAE) through its International Committee of Women in
Agricultural Economics (ICWAE).

AWARD and ICWAE build on their common vision to increase gender diversity in the agricultural
profession and strengthen the career advancement, professional success, and recognition for
women in the profession. Mentoring plays a pivotal role in achieving this common vision because it
is a powerful tool for developing unique skills and for leveraging and capitalizing on opportunities to
support personal and professional growth.

The two-year virtual Mentoring Program aims to equip women agricultural economists with the core
skills, networks, and practical resources to develop their careers, enhance their visibility and increase
their legitimacy and relevance. The Program targets:
Mentees - Women who have a PhD in agricultural economics and are currently working as
an agricultural economist. Priority to those with 3-5 years of work/research experience. In
addition, the Program targets women who are from the Global South (Africa, Asia, Middle
East, Latin America, the Caribbean and Pacific Islands) and are currently based in institutions
in the Global South.
Mentors – Agricultural economists with at least five (5) years of professional experience who are currently members of the IAAE or a regional agricultural economics professional association.

Program Structure
The Mentoring Program consists of three (3) components:
Mentoring Orientation Workshop (MOW) – This workshop provides the basis on which to build a
mentoring relationship. It will equip the participants with an understanding of the formal mentoring
process. The training provides a unique opportunity for both the mentors and mentees to get to
know each other better, share their ideas, and clarify the roles and expectations in the mentoring
process. The trainers will work closely with the mentoring pairs to explore how different factors
influence personal and working relationships to help them set a solid foundation for a successful
mentoring relationship. The MOW culminates with the development of a Purpose Road Map (PRM)
that will guide goal-setting and the critical steps to achieve them.

Mentoring in practice – These are working sessions organized regularly by the mentoring pairs –
Mentor and Mentee- to discuss and document progress, challenges, and achievements against the
goals set in the Purpose Road Maps. The sessions should culminate with the preparation of
articulated plans for onward mentoring (of the next generation of - aspiring - women agricultural
economists) and role modelling events.

Coaching program – These sessions will complement the ‘Mentoring in practice’ exercise. Facilitated
by AWARD trainers, the sessions will emphasize the personal and professional development agenda
of the participants that aligns with the program objectives.

Mentoring Orientation
Workshop (MOW)

Main objectives
- Understand the rationale and guidelines for a formal mentoring process
- Develop mentoring tools and plan monthly sessions
Duration: One-month online training sessions
- First cohort (15 Mentees and 15 Mentors) – May 09-31, 2022
- Second cohort (15 Mentees and 15 Mentors) – Nov. 1-30, 2022

Mentoring in practice
Key objectives

- Develop mutually beneficial and supportive relationships around their
professional capacities and interpersonal skills
Duration: 8-month virtual sessions
- First cohort (15 Mentees and 15 Mentors) – July 2022 to Feb. 2023
- Second cohort (15 Mentees and 15 Mentors) – Dec. 2022 to Aug. 2023

Coaching program
Main objectives

- Identify and access new choices and possibilities
- Draw up action-oriented plans to increase self-drive and influence
- Enhance ability to leverage opportunities and navigate challenges
Duration: 6-month virtual sessions with AWARD trainers
- First cohort (15 Mentees and 15 Mentors) – Aug. 2022 to Jan. 2023
- Second cohort (15 Mentees and 15 Mentors) – Jan. to June 2023

The Program will also entail a series of workshop trainings - on key research issues in agricultural
economics - which will be delivered throughout the Mentoring Program.

Program commitments
Each mentoring pair agrees to:
Participate together in the Mentoring Orientation Workshop to kick-start the Program
Develop a comprehensive Purpose Road Map for their mentoring relationship
Meet regularly at least once a month for about two 2 hours over an 8-month period
Communicate important updates and maintain high standards of professionalism
Attend Progress Review Meetings/Mentoring catch-ups for experience sharing
Participate in training and networking events

Mentees
Bring their knowledge to the discussions
Contribute to solving issues raised in meetings
Carry out the agreed action plan
Engage extensively in the individual coaching
Get ready to replicate mentoring skills

Mentors
Provide overall guidance and encouragement
Contribute to solving issues raised in meetings
Participate in the Program evaluation and review

Program benefits/outcomes
The two-year Program will focus on mentoring theory and practice as well as coaching. It is expected
that, through the engagement with content, processes, and activities, the selected women
agricultural economists (Mentees) will become more visible, relevant, and influential within the
wider economic community, and to the extent possible, within their institutions.

At the end of the Program, the following outcomes are expected:
Mentees
Increased level of self-confidence and motivation to perform
Visibility through enhanced communication skills
Clear road map for driving change and motivation for career growth
Increased ability to empower with inspirational experience and success stories

Mentors
Personal satisfaction to contribute to increasing the pool of women agricultural economists
Recognition of skills, knowledge and commitment to profession
Expanded professional networks, skills & knowledge transfer, and more exposure

Key dates – Cohort 1
March 1, 2022 Call for applications open
March 25, 2022 Call closes
Mar. 28 – Apr. 8, 2022 Selection process
April 11-15, 2022 Notification to the selected candidates and onboarding
April 18-30, 2022 Mentoring needs assessment and pre-course
May 6, 2022 Program orientation
May 9, 2022 Program launch

Key dates – Cohort 2
July 1, 2022 Call for applications open
July 25, 2022 Call closes
July 28 – Aug. 8, 2022 Selection process
August 11–15, 2022 Notification to the selected candidates and onboarding
August 18-30, 2022 Mentoring needs assessment and pre-course
October 2022 Program orientation
October 2022 Program launch

For more information, contact: icwaementoring@gmail.com

The Call for Applications is an online process. Please follow this link.
The Call for Expressions of Interest is an online process. Please follow this link.