1. What is the ZaWARD mentorship program?

• The ZaWARD mentorship program is a structured one-on-one relationship between a senior and /or experienced individual (mentor) and a junior and/or less experienced individual (mentee) with the aim of increasing knowledge and skills to achieve short and long-term goals.

2. What is the duration for the Mentorship program?

• The mentorship program is for one year.

3. Who can participate in the ZaWARD mentorship program?

• The mentorship program is open to all fully paid-up ZaWARD members, who have a keen interest in being mentored. It should be noted that there is a formal application process for the potential mentees to be selected into the program.

4. Is there a fee associated with participating in the Mentorship Program?

• No, there are no fees associated with joining or participating in the mentorship program. Participation in the program is further on a voluntary basis and targets self-driven individuals.

5. What are the benefits of participating in the mentorship program?

For mentees it is an opportunity to:

• Identify and map out realistic professional goals and establish a sense of direction under the guidance of a seasoned expert.
• Learn from and build on the experiences of others in similar fields as you.
• Gain practical advice, positive criticism and support.
• Develop strategies to improve on your personal, academic and professional skills.
• Learn new skills.
• Expand on your network.
• Sharpen your decision-making capabilities.
• Improve your communication and interpersonal skills.

6. How do I become a mentee/mentor?

• To become a mentee an application form will need to be filled-in and submitted. This will then go through the mentorship committee for selection.
• To become a mentor contact the ZaWARD secretariat via email: zambiaaward@gmail.com or through phone: +260977457740. Potential mentors are also approached by the secretariat.

7. What guidance is provided to mentees/mentors during the program?

• A mentorship orientation workshop is held at the beginning of the program as a means of introduction into the program as well as a platform to offer guidance.
• Necessary documents for the duration of the program are provided to both mentees and mentors.
• Frequent evaluations (at least quarterly) are conducted on the mentorship relationships.
• Meetings are held with the mentorship pairs to get updates, offer guidance and provide motivation.
• A mid mentorship evaluation is conducted through a share fair event where mentees show case their goals, what they have achieved so far and what they plan to achieve going forward.

8. What is the role of a mentee?

A mentee’s role is to:

• DRIVE the mentorship relationship. This is done through:

1. Identifying your goals and the skills and knowledge needed to achieve them through the development of a purpose roadmap with support from the mentor.
2. Developing and maintaining a mentoring action plan and work with your mentor to set goals, developmental activities, and time frames.
3. Initiating communication with your mentor.
4. Providing regular feedback and updates to your mentor.
5. Following through on tasks/assignments/action points as agreed with your mentor.

• Be a resource partner by working with your mentor to seek resources for learning, identifying people and information that might be helpful to the attainment of your goals.
• Create a give and take relationship. Look for opportunities to give back to your mentor, share any information that you think might be valuable to them. Remember that even your mentor can learn something from you.
• Foster a ripple of giving back by using some of your skills/knowledge gained from mentorship for the benefit of more junior individuals and participating in programs that allow you to apply/transfer your skills/knowledge for the benefit of your community.

9. What is the role of a mentor?

A mentor’s role is to:

• Give advice and guidance, share ideas, provide feedback and provide input to the mentees set goals and the mentoring action plan.
• Be a source of encouragement and support. Offer feedback on the mentees ideas, concerns and choices, and provide insights into possible opportunities.
• Provide positive criticism on the mentees ideas to help them hone their skills in various facets of professional growth.
• Identify resources to help the mentee enhance their personal development and career growth.
• Serve as a platform for broadening the mentee's professional network. Be open to opportunities for increased visibility of the mentee.

10. How do mentees and mentors get paired?

• Mentees are paired with suitable mentors based on the goals of the mentee, to be determined through the application form that will be submitted by the mentee. A mentee is at liberty to request for a specific mentor although this is not a guarantee that the final pairing will be as requested. The ZaWARD mentorship committee takes into consideration several factors including availability and compatibility in the final pairing of mentees with their mentors.

11. How often should I meet with my mentor?

• Mentees are encouraged to meet their mentors at least once a month. Remember that to keep a relationship flourishing and to effectively achieve set goals, frequent communication and updates are imperative.

12. What happens at the end of the one-year program? Can I continue my mentorship relationship?

• There will be a graduation at the end of the mentorship program for mentees that have successfully followed through with the mentorship process. Depending on the understanding between the mentorship pair, the relationship can continue although it will not be part of the formal ZaWARD mentorship program.

13. Can I participate in the program more than once as either a mentee or mentor?

• A mentee can only participate in the program as a mentee once. After graduation, mentees are encouraged and supported to begin to offer mentorship and pass on what they have learned to others. They will therefore, be encouraged to participate in the program again but as mentors.
• A mentor can participate in the program more than once.