Cover image: © UNICEF/UN0277694/Dejongh

The GNC’s mentoring programme is part of the advanced level capacity strengthening offer of GNC and complements other GNC capacity strengthening initiatives, such as training, eLearning, one-on-one on the job support. The aim of the programme is to enhance knowledge transfer and build confidence in the key areas of nutrition cluster coordination, information management and nutrition in emergency (NiE) programming, in order to enhance the timeliness, appropriateness and effectiveness of nutrition responses in emergencies.

In contrast to a general training approach, the mentoring process seeks to develop individual mentor-mentee relationships in order to explore specific themes or areas of interest. The programme regularly matches experienced nutrition cluster coordinators, information managers and NiE specialists with field-based nutrition staff who are seeking to boost their capacity and competencies in a specific area. The programme uses the GROW mentoring model (Goal, current Reality, Options, Way forward) to discuss particular issues, aspirations or challenges that the mentee may be facing. Mentors work as guides to help mentees identify and develop practical solutions to enhance collective nutrition responses.

The GNC solicits applications for its mentoring programme on an annual or bi-annual basis.

Learning objectives

Specific objectives of the mentoring programme are:

  1. To provide tailored, real-time support to meet the professional development needs of Nutrition Cluster coordinators, information management officers (IMOs) at national and sub-national level, as well as UNICEF programme staffs and cluster partner’s staffs having roles related to coordination and implementation of the nutrition in emergency response. 
  2. To enhance the confidence of Nutrition Cluster staff and members when dealing with the challenges arising from their role. 
  3. To identify, share and promote best practices, experiences and approaches in cluster coordination, information management, nutrition in emergency programming and humanitarian leadership. 

Audience

Nutrition cluster coordinators, including deputies, subnational and roving cluster coordinators, co-leads and leads, UNICEF nutrition programme staffs assuming coordination role, information management officers and programme data managers, personnel of nutrition cluster partners.

Length

GNC organises up to two rounds per year. Overall effective time can go up to 10 full days over a period of 3-5 months.

Methodology

The GNC Mentoring Programme approach is based on:

  • Pool of trained mentors renewed every year including minimum requirements to become a mentor.
  • Minimum requirements to join the mentoring programme as mentee.
  • Well-defined professional development objectives that are pre-identified and agreed with the mentee in consultation with their mentors (after their matching). 
  • Series of online mentoring sessions using the Mentoring LMS platform dedicated confidential space for each couple of mentor-mentee.
  • Immediate 360° Mentoring Review of progress towards the initially identified professional development objectives.
  • Skills application survey six months and more after end of the mentoring cycle. 

Structure

The programme is organised around seven-steps process. This page serve for Step 5: the Mentoring and is a confidential space for mentors. It contains:

  • Mentoring sessions
  • Additional Ressources & Useful links
  • Evaluation & Certificate of completion

Contact details

For further questions about the GNC mentoring programme, please contact the GNC Team at gnc_cs@unicef.org.