Call for Applications: People-Centered Accelerator Mentoring Programme for Women in Energy Access

Gender diversity drives innovation, opens new pathways for technology deployment, brings valuable perspectives to social and economic development and provides a richer pool of talent for key and emerging industries. In the landscape of global issues requiring strong leadership and a skilled workforce, few areas are as critical as the transition to a sustainable energy system. Yet, as documented in IRENA’s January 2019 report “Renewable Energy: a Gender Perspective,” the renewables industry continues to be male-dominated.

In order to advance the role of women as agents of change in society and promote best practices within the sector, the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET) is teaming up with Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) to launch an African mentoring programme for women working in the area of energy access, as part of the People-Centered Accelerator. This programme will focus on women in Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Zambia, whose work is in line with SDG 7, “ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy services.” 

The programme is designed to accelerate the careers of women in junior/middle management positions in energy access from all actors of the value chain (e.g. start-ups, utilities etc), support their pathway to leadership positions and foster a global network of mentorship, knowledge-sharing and empowerment. The application criteria are as follows:

• Must be a national from one of the African countries listed above
• Must be a woman working in energy access
• Must work in a junior/middle management position, with min. 2  and max. 10 years of work experience

Furthermore, the mentoring programme is designed around the following key programme parameters:

• Selection of 15 mentees from the aforementioned four countries
• 9-month programme duration
• Comprehensive knowledge-transfer components through a series of webinars
• Networking and peer-to-peer exchange
• Mentee attendance at the 2020 SEforALL Forum in Kigali, Rwanda which will take place from 26-28 May 2020*

*It is our intention for this to be part of the programme, however, it is contingent on funding availability

If you fulfil all the application criteria and are interested to apply as a mentee, please fill in the application form.

Update: The Call for Applications is now closed

Become a mentor for the People-Centred Accelerator Mentoring Programme – what’s in it for you?

GWNET is looking for senior professionals who are eager to make a difference and have a positive impact on a younger woman’s career in the energy sector. With the ever-changing dynamics of the business fields, digitalisation, knowledge and knowledge sharing has become more important than ever. As a mentor, you get the opportunity to give something valuable back to more junior professionals and to expand your own knowledge through your mentees’ perspective. Mentoring will contribute to personal and professional development for both you and your mentee, as well as, shaping the direction of future generations within your field of expertise.

If you are interested in volunteering as a mentor in the People-Centered Accelerator Mentoring Programme for Women in Energy Access (which involves approx. 1 – 1.5 hours of engagement per month plus optional participation in knowledge-transfer webinars), kindly fill in this Mentor Datasheet.