Deadline: 15 July 2024
The International Network for Governmental Science Advice, is delighted to announce the launch of the third cohort of the Science Advice Skills Development Program to build the capacity of early and mid-career African scientists across the continent for the effective practice of science advice.
The program will start with a contact phase in the form of a virtual one day introductory workshop, followed by a one-to-one mentoring phase with a science advice practitioner, for up to 6 months. A closing workshop will be organized at the completion of the mentoring program.
Objectives
- The objectives of the SASDP are:
- To bridge the gap between research and policy making.
- To equip mentees with the necessary tools and knowledge to effectively communicate their research findings and viewpoints as science advice to diverse audiences.
- To facilitate networking opportunities among mentees, mentors, and INGSA-Africa committee, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.
- To build capacity of African scientists for evidence-informed policy analysis
Focus Areas
- The SASDP focuses on Climate Change in Africa, covering areas such as Health, Water, Energy, and Food Security.
Duration
- The program will run over a period of 6 months, starting in September 2024.
Responsibilities
- Responsibilities of Mentors
- To participate in the introductory workshop.
- To design, in collaboration with the mentee, the virtual mentoring program, with identified outcomes and outputs, and agreed timeline for meetings etc.
- To engage fully with mentees, to dedicate sufficient time to ensure that the mentees are supported in meeting the outcome of the program.
- To ensure that the learning outcomes are met at the end of the program.
- To support the mentees in preparing the final document for science advice (policy papers, white papers, policy briefs, reports, statements).
- To provide any feedback to INGSA Africa on the mentoring program.
- Responsibilities of Mentees
- To participate in the virtual introductory and closing workshops, and to take part in the progress reporting meeting.
- To ensure that they have access to internet and the technology to participate in meetings.
- To fully engage with the mentors in the designing of the virtual mentoring program.
- To attend scheduled mentoring meetings with their mentors.
- To submit a mid-program report by 15 December 2024.
- To achieve the identified learning outcomes
- To prepare the final document for science advice to be presented at the closing workshop.
- To organise a dissemination event at their organisation to share their experiences and findings with their peers following completion of the program.
Outcomes
- At the end of the SASDP, mentees will:
- Be empowered to translate their research findings into evidence and into accessible and actionable advice for decision-makers and the wider community.
- Learn how to effectively provide science advice to policy makers to create political impact.
- Identify relevant communication strategies and channels suited to effectively disseminate scientific insights and recommendations to policymakers, stakeholders, and the public.
Eligibility Criteria
- For Mentor
- They are inviting policy-active scientists/researchers/policy makers, preferably in a field connected to climate change (Health, Water, Energy, Food Security etc.), with the capacity to provide voluntarily one-to-one virtual mentorship over a period of 6 months, starting September 2024, to talented early and mid-career African scientists interested in learning about, and contributing to, science advice.
- For Mentee
- They invite relevant organisations, especially those engaged in science advice, such as recognised academic or research institutions and Academies of Science in Africa, to nominate qualified scientists and/or staff as MENTEES under this program. Additionally, self-nominations are accepted from eligible applicants.
For more information, visit INGSA.
