Participate in a women’s leadership mentoring programme in Nepal

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We are launching the second edition of our women’s leadership mentoring programme. We invite 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 we are offering

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´

Please note that some of the mentors will reach the end of their time 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

If you are selected, your year-long mentorship programme will include:

1. Personalised mentoring sessions with your mentor, focused on skills that are essential for development of leadership and career growth. You will be encouraged to talk about your priorities, including setting career goals, planning, networking, communications, and your personal brand.

2. Opportunities for networking. You will be invited to join relevant events and meetings hosted by one or more of the embassies/agencies taking part, to allow you 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, you will have the opportunity to shadow senior officials, including the ambassador/head of agency, to observe their daily work routines. We will plan a full day’s schedule for you.

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.

How to participate

Please apply by sending us a 1-minute video (maximum) of yourself, by uploading it on YouTube or to Google Drive and send the link through this channel on Participate in a women’s leadership mentoring Programme 2023! (office.com) explaining why you want to participate in this leadership mentoring programme, what are your future aspirations, and how this programme can help you progress your career?

Please shoot the video in landscape (horizontal) mode. Avoid having a busy or noisy background when recording. The video should be well lit and show the participant clearly.

We encourage you to be creative with the format and style of the video. Avoid sharing large files. Participants should also commit to have the file available for at least three months, which is the maximum duration of time anticipated for organisers to come to a final decision.

A selection committee of staff from the embassies and agencies, led by one or more Ambassador/Head of agency, will review applications and select the candidates most suitable for the opportunity. We will be looking for: enthusiasm, creativity, an understanding of how you will benefit from this opportunity, and a clear idea of how you will use what you learn.

What you need to know

If successful, you will be part of the mentee cohort of 2022-23. Mentoring needs candidates to be proactive for the best outcomes. You will have to make time for planning and reflecting, to take part in discussion sessions that will focus on agreed themes, and for networking opportunities.

We particularly welcome applications from women belonging to minority / marginalised communities.

Rules of the contest

1. The video, up to 60 seconds length, should be submitted as a link to private YouTube video or Google Drive through this Participate in a women’s leadership mentoring Programme 2023! (office.com). Submissions should be posted by 31 December 2022 23:59 NPT.

2. If you have any queries, contact us at kathmandu.Protocol@fcdo.gov.uk with the subject line ‘Query: Leadership Mentoring Programme 2023’.

3. The video should be in English.

4. Participation in the contest is open to women aged 23-30 residing in Nepal for the duration of the contest. Family members of staff at any of the embassies or organisations are regrettably not eligible to apply for this opportunity.

5. Applicants should be able to commit to participate in this programme for a whole year.

6. Submissions, including the personal data of those not selected, will be removed after the announcement of the winners.

7. The winners, to be selected by a special selection committee of staff from participating embassies/organisations will be announced by Friday, 17 February 2023. The programme is anticipated to commence on Monday, 20 February 2023

8. Please note that participation in this mentoring programme will not result in employment, internship, or a funding relationship of any kind.

9. With agreement from applicants, winning videos may be shared on the social media channels of the British Embassy Kathmandu or on those of other participating organizations.

10. The work of the selection committee will remain confidential, and the decision may not be appealed.

11. Submissions shall be disqualified if they are found to be plagiarised or been submitted by ineligible candidates. Appropriate credit should be given to content from other sources.

12. The winners will be contacted by the organisers with logistic details and arrangements. The programme of sessions, events and opportunities will be determined by the organisers and shared with successful mentees.

13. If the winners need to travel from outside of Kathmandu to participate in the scheme, the organisers will cover reasonable travel expenses.