W-GDP: EWLFL Female Mentorship

Mentorship strategy and execution

Mentor will serve as advisors to the women participants (majority are owners of micro and  small enterprises) under this program. Each mentor will have to work on one-on-one sessions with each mentee for a duration of two months. All program participants will be enrolled in a digitally accredited business certificate program to strengthen their knowledge in key skills such as; digital literacy, access to marketing, financial literacy, women's leadership, and other topics. 

Mentorship will be in line with the overall vision and goals of the W-GDP: EWLFL project. The mentorship relationship can be conducted using blended approach (virtually and in- person) where the mentor and the mentees are expected to meet twice in person during a matching event and closing event.  

Mentors are expected to:

• Provide support and guidance to mentees who run small businesses in different sectors in different geographical areas across Lebanon,
• Share knowledge and experiences with the mentees in order to help them develop strategies for action in their business sector
• Encourage mentees to have ongoing commitment to aims and goals of the project
• Assist project the mentees with further improving their knowledge, create a personal plan, reaching their full potential, and keeping them motivated
• Maintain confidentiality of the information shared by the mentees
• Conduct a weekly meeting for a duration of one hour (Virtually or in person) for a duration of two months (In total six sessions)
• Complete the worksheet regularly and submit it to the program coordinator
• Provide feedback to the Mentorship Coordinator or Deputy Programs Director on the process and activities of their mentees
• Participate in the evaluation of the mentoring program by completing the end of cycle evaluation survey

Qualifications and Experiences

• Previous experience in mentoring small businesses
• A graduate degree in Business related discipline or any other relevant field
• Aware of the mentee’s business sector
• Clear understanding of the local Lebanese business market conditions
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Self-motivated and results oriented, drive for measurable results in a timely manner and demonstrate passion to motivate the mentee
• Strong commitment, responsibilities and proactive solutions oriented
• Able to operate remotely and find appropriate time to schedule the sessions with the mentee
• Have a strong training, coaching and mentoring skills
• Self-motivated and with the ability to work under minimal supervision
• Ability to work with mentees across different sectors
• Have basic knowledge of how to use digital communication platforms
• Experience in business development services for small and micro enterprises
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Time Commitment:

The mentor must be willing and able to meet virtually OR in-person with each mentee for a minimum of one hour per week for a duration of two months (a total of 6 sessions with each mentee). Also, she has to attend an ending session and networking event held by the Lebanese American University (LAU) which will happen three times during the project. This will total to 6 in-person events. The estimated commitment duration required by each mentor is for one year from April 2022 to March 2023.