Conduct Mentorship in Research & Project Implementation

Volunteering

Overview

Serve as a mentor in Research and Project Implementation.

You have:

• Proven experience in research and project implementation.
• Familiarity with research grant application processes.
• Strong academic writing and proposal review skills.
• Ability to mentor and guide early-career researchers.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Availability to engage with mentees and respond to queries in a timely manner.
• A PhD or Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Medicine, Geography, Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Engineering, Agriculture or related disciplines).

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

Africa Youth for Peace and Development (AYPAD) has long been committed to empowering African youth and professionals through capacity building, education, and sustainable development initiatives.

The Trainer International Project is part of a larger effort to address global knowledge gaps by equipping professionals with advanced research tools and fostering a culture of innovation.

Volunteer contributions play a pivotal role in this initiative. Trainers, coordinators, and support staff collaborate to design, deliver, and evaluate courses, ensuring they meet international standards while addressing local needs. The project also emphasizes digital learning and artificial intelligence integration, aligning with contemporary educational trends and creating a robust platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration. Through the Trainer International Project, AYPAD demonstrates its commitment to sustainable development, empowering individuals, and advancing equitable global progress.

As part of the Africa Youth for Peace and Development (AYPAD) initiatives, Trainer International Project furthers the organization’s goals of promoting youth empowerment, advancing knowledge-sharing, and fostering sustainable development. It empowers participants with critical research skills, enabling them to address societal challenges, innovate solutions, and actively contribute to the betterment of their communities. By focusing on practical, interdisciplinary education, the project also enhances collaboration and strengthens networks within and beyond Africa, promoting a culture of excellence and leadership.

The Trainer International Project contributes directly to SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. By offering specialized skills in research methods, biostatistics, and data analysis, the project fosters lifelong learning opportunities, enhances the global research landscape, and builds capacity among researchers and professionals. Its inclusive approach ensures equitable access to education, particularly targeting underrepresented groups, including women, youth, and professionals in low-resource settings.

The Trainer International Project advances AYPAD's mission by prioritizing youth capacity building through hands-on training. Young researchers are equipped with critical skills to excel in academic and professional fields, empowering them to contribute effectively to societal development. By targeting diverse participants, the project promotes inclusive development, ensuring that marginalized groups have access to high-quality training and resources. This inclusive approach strengthens the role of underrepresented voices in addressing global challenges.

Additionally, the project plays a pivotal role in strengthening global networks. By fostering international partnerships, it expands AYPAD’s influence in global development efforts and creates opportunities for collaborative innovation. Furthermore, the initiative emphasizes advancing knowledge dissemination by providing platforms to publish research outputs. This ensures that the knowledge generated is accessible and impactful, contributing to a global culture of evidence-based decision-making and innovation.

We are seeking dedicated online volunteers to serve as mentors in Research and Project Implementation. Each mentor will be assigned five (5) mentees who are undergoing research training. The mentors will provide guidance and support throughout the research and grant application process, ensuring mentees gain practical insights and improve their research skills.

Each group will be provided with a list of grant calls, which the mentees will go through with their mentor. They will then choose which grant call to attempt and work on with their mentor. These grant calls usually range between USD 100,000 to USD 1,000,000.

Each team which successfully submits a given grant proposal will work as a team during its implementation phase as well.

As a volunteer, you will provide the mentees with;

1. Mentorship & Guidance: Provide structured mentorship to five mentees, guiding them through the research process and project implementation.

2. Grant Application Support: Assist mentees in identifying relevant research grants, understanding application requirements, and preparing competitive grant proposals.

3. Proposal Review: Review and provide constructive feedback on mentees’ research proposals before submission.

4. Skill Development: Support mentees in improving their research methodology, data analysis, and academic writing skills.

5. Recommendation Letters: Offer recommendation letters to deserving mentees for research grants, scholarships, or professional opportunities, where applicable.

6. Regular Check-ins: Conduct periodic virtual meetings, provide feedback, and monitor the progress of each mentee.

7. Networking & Opportunities: Connect mentees to relevant research networks, funding sources, and academic opportunities.

8. Reporting: Document mentorship progress and share periodic updates with the coordination team.

Prior to the assignment, the Online Volunteer will receive an orientation session, during which they will receive guidance on the task and provided the documentation, information and references required to complete it.

1. Proven experience in research and project implementation.

2. Familiarity with research grant application processes.

3. Strong academic writing and proposal review skills.

4. Ability to mentor and guide early-career researchers.

5. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

6. Availability to engage with mentees and respond to queries in a timely manner.

Preferred Qualifications A PhD or Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g.,Medicine, Geography, Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Engineering, Agriculture or related disciplines).

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 4 months ago - Updated 4 months ago - Source: unv.org