WEP Volunteer and Mentorship Programme
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND
The Vision of Women Environmental Programme as contained in her strategic plan (2018-2028) is “a world where the lives of women and youth around the globe are positively transformed”
To achieve this goal requires strategic design and implementation of programs and projects that will positively transform the lives of women and the youth. One of the ways to transform the lives of women and youth is by equipping them with relevant information and skills and providing them with the needed guidance that will take them through the path of realizing their potentials.
When women and youth are empowered with information, skills and given the right guidance, they will in turn impact positively on the communities in which they live.
WEP Volunteer and Mentorship Programme gives youths the opportunity to acquire information and skills to realize their potentials and positively transform communities.
GOAL OF THE VOLUNTEER AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME
The goal of this programme is to assist communities address development challenges through volunteer service
OBJECTIVES OF THE VOLUNTEER AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME
- Equip volunteers with community development skills
- ii. Provide guidance to volunteers on designing and implementing community development projects
- iii. Assist volunteers to build a career in the development sector
- iv.Provide a platform for volunteers to create the impact they desire in communities
HOW THE VOLUNTEER AND MENTORHSIP PROGRAMME WORKS
i. The Volunteer and Mentorship Programme is A NON-PAID VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME. This means that WEP WILL NOT PAY ANY VOLUNTEER FOR JOINING THE PROGRAMME. It is assumed that anyone who opts in for the volunteer programme does so NOT BECAUSE S/HE IS LOOKING FOR A PAID EMPLOYMENT, BUT BECAUSE S/HE HAS PASSION AND/OR SKILL TO POSITIVELY IMPACT COMMUNITIES AND JUST NEEDS A PLATFORM OR A MOTIVATION TO ENGAGE.
ii. Application- This programme is opened only for those with tertiary educational qualifications (age 18-35 years) and for candidates who will be willing to volunteer in areas that are in line with our thematic areas of work: Environment, Climate Change, Governance, Peace and Security. Interested candidates will apply online for the volunteer and mentorship programme. The applications will be assessed and candidates who meet the criteria will be invited to come along with their credentials for a chat.
iii. Number of volunteers to be absorbed at a time – Twenty (20) volunteers will be absorbed at a time at a particular WEP’s office. We shall ensure a balance between male and female volunteers at every point in time.
iv. Duration of the programme – The duration for which a group of volunteers will stay at WEP will be 1 year after which their volunteer programme will end and new group of volunteers absorbed.
v.Meeting time at office – Volunteers will come to the office on scheduled times only once (1) in a month for a 2-3 hour discussion and or training. The discussions or trainings will revolve around community development and other development issues that will assist them to design and implement community development projects. WEP may invite external experts from time to time to come and inspire the volunteers.
At these scheduled times, all the volunteers are expected to come to the office. Aside these scheduled days of meetings, volunteers are not expected to come to the office except invited or permitted by staff or management or are expected to carry out an assignment assigned to them.
vi. Designing and implementing community development projects
After one year of training, volunteers are expected to design and implement community development projects. Volunteers who are already experienced can develop projects anytime. The projects will be designed and implemented with the guidance and approval of WEP. WEP however has no responsibility to fund these projects in anyway as she expects volunteers to devise means of mobilizing different kinds of resources for this. WEP will however provide all the necessary technical support, guidance and the linkages needed to implement community development projects.
Community development projects can be designed and implemented by individual volunteers or different volunteers can come together to design and implement projects and programmes.
Projects must align with WEP’s thematic areas of work – environment, governance, peace and security, and climate change.
No WEP volunteer will be allowed to design and implement projects/programmes using the name of WEP without approval from WEP.
vii. Discipline – Volunteers are to be of good behavior. No volunteer should use the platform of the WEP volunteer programme to extort money from individuals or organizations. Any volunteer who wants to mobilize resources for a particular development cause should inform WEP and receive endorsement before doing so.
If it is discovered that a volunteer is involved in unwholesome activities, such a volunteer will be disengaged from the programme
viii. Benefits of the programme to volunteers
WEP will involve volunteers in her activities to enable them gain practical experience when and where necessary. Where necessary, participants will enjoy training opportunities organized by WEP or her partners to build their knowledge and capacities.
Volunteers who have shown commitment, creativity and innovation can be recommended for employment in development organizations.
Volunteers will have the opportunity to build their career in the development sector and bring positive changes they desire in communities.
ix. Certification – At the end of the 1 year of the programme, volunteers will be issued with certificates of participation in the programme and outstanding volunteers will be presented with awards and certificates of outstanding performance.
x. Benefits of the programme to WEP – This programme will contribute to the achievement of WEP’s vision of positively transforming the lives of women and youth around the globe.
Through this programme, WEP could discover creative, talented and goal-oriented individuals who would join her team to work towards achieving the organization’s objectives, mission and vision.
READ THE FEEDBACK to see how the programme impacted participants over the years.
