UK Government announces the second edition of Women’s Leadership Mentoring Programme in Nepal

Image by Pradeep Shakya/UN Women

The UK Government is launching the second edition of its Women’s Leadership Mentoring Programme. It has invited young women to apply for the chance to be a part of the second cohort of a year-long mentoring programme.

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to be mentored by a female ambassador or head of agency based in Kathmandu, to help enhance their leadership skills.

What the programme offers:

The successful applicants will be mentored by one of the following mentors:

• The British Ambassador to Nepal, Her Excellency Nicola Pollitt
• The Australian Ambassador to Nepal, Her Excellency Felicity Volk
• The Finnish Ambassador to Nepal, Her Excellency Riina-Riikka Heikka
• The EU Ambassador to Nepal, Her Excellency Nona Deprez
• The Egyptian Ambassador to Nepal, Her Excellency Noha Hamdy Elgebaly
• The Head of USAID, Sepideh Keyvanshad
• The Country Director of British Council Nepal, Shahida MacDougal
• The UNICEF Representative for Nepal, Elke Wisch
• The Resident Representative of UNDP, Ayshanie Medagangoda-Labe´

It has also been mentioned that some of the mentors will reach the end of their term in Nepal during 2023. Where this is the case, they will hand over their mentoring duties to a qualified senior female representative at their mission.

Those selected will undergo a year-long mentorship programme that will include:

1. Personalised mentoring sessions with their mentor, focused on skills that are essential for development of leadership and career growth. They will be encouraged to talk about their priorities, including setting career goals, planning, networking, communications, and their personal brand.
2. Opportunities for networking. The candidates will be invited to join relevant events and meetings hosted by one or more of the embassies/agencies taking part, to allow them to participate in discussions on pertinent issues and build a useful network.
3. A day of ‘job-shadowing’ with senior officials from the embassies/ agencies. If conditions permit, they will have the opportunity to shadow senior officials, including the ambassador/head of agency, to observe their daily work routines. The mentors will plan a full day’s schedule for the participants.
4. Events that bring together all mentees with mentors on or around International Women’s Day to celebrate women’s leadership.

All events, sessions and shadowing opportunities will be subject to COVID-19 and/or other special conditions and may take place virtually or in small groups.

To know more about the Women’s Leadership Mentoring Programme, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/news/participate-in-a-womens-leadership-mentoring-programme-in-nepal