Developing the African ecosystem through mentorship: a seat at the table of evidence leaders

2022-02-17 advocates events evidence informs news
Developing the African ecosystem through mentorship: a seat at the table of evidence leaders

Photo: Talitha Mpando

The evidence ecosystem on the continent is one which is growing every day, as leaders remain determined to push the agenda of enhancing evidence use for policy and practice. Considering our often resource-limited settings, it only makes sense to do what has been proven to work. The need to develop capacity on the continent to do this important work can therefore not be overemphasized. But which opportunities are available and what approaches can be deployed to support young and emerging actors who desire to provide leadership for the ecosystem in the near future?

How it all started

A few months ago, through the power of my networks, I stumbled into the Corporate Evidence Leadership Mentorship Programme (CEP-MP) introduced in 2021 by PACKS Africa. How else can I explain how a Malawian lady gets selected without public solicitation to learn the ins and outs of an indigenous Ghanaian think tank, if not through benefits of networking?

The 12-month long programme seeks to create a pool of young evidence leaders on the African continent, by engaging them through rigorous weekly activities. It is designed to provide opportunity for learners to maximise their competencies through embedded learning within their organisational settings.

Focus of the programme

Prior to my first conversation with Kirchuffs Atengble, Executive Director of PACKS Africa, in October 2021, I did not know what to expect in the programme, but soon I was captivated by the goals of PACKS Africa. The words “youth-led”, “Pan-African” and “development” quickly caught my attention, and I was intrigued by strategy of the organisation to grow its reach to other regions in Africa through young people.

The mentorship programme makes room to engage learners in various capacities after the mentorship programme, minimum of which includes possibility to serve as associates of the organisation. This is initiated by signing a hybrid contract with the mentee as an associate even during the programme.

My own background

I have been working as an integrated knowledge translation Research Fellow for the past two and a half years. Knowledge translation as a relatively new field was a concept that somewhat eluded me at the beginning of my career. However, being part of a thriving network has given me the confidence to push through what was once conceptual and vague, to become tangible and meaningful. Knowledge translation for improved evidence use means more than distributing transformed knowledge resources but there are many nuances that require one to think strategically and engage a diverse skill set.

My reflections for transition

In just about a month into the programme, my resolve was strengthened to make evidence count in decision making, and to support this activity with intention. With the majority of my work focusing on the technical aspects of evidence informed policy, this mentorship has made me consider the other side of the coin. What are the elements that make an organization function? And what elements should be considered when thinking about the strategic vision of an organization?

Programme competency areas

The mentorship programme aims to cover both technical EIDM and corporate competencies. The technical aspects target EIDM competencies such as knowledge for evidence ecosystem governance, critical thinking for evidence use and analytical thinking for evidence production. The availability of data in organisations doesn’t necessarily mean it is available to the right people at the right time for decision making. Young people with these skills will be able to navigate the knowledge management process in different contexts.

Corporate competencies to be covered include knowledge for organisation development, administrative skills, ethical leadership skills and ability to transform open ideas into viable initiatives. For young leaders who expect to be civically engaged and working within non-governmental organisations, they can confidently tap into these skill-sets.

So far, I have found the organisational development aspect most interesting as I have had to consider the elements that would position me as a good leader within the evidence space. Having my work focus primarily in the Malawian Health sector, I look forward to being exposed to exploring the policymaking processes in other sectors and other countries in Africa.

Looking forward

Through the weekly mentorship sessions and assignments, I have been forced to look beyond the obvious. And I am very sure that the holistic nature of this programme, together with the diversity of perspectives which I will encounter, will propel me towards being a valuable member of the EIDM community in Africa. I’ll urge as many young and emerging actors within the ecosystem in Africa to get involved in this programme in its next cohort when it is announced later this year.

But for me, I look forward to gleaning from the expertise of Kirchuffs Atengble whose passions in Evidence Informed Policy Making propelled him to become a founder of PACKS Africa. I am excited to share a complete reflection of my experience by the time I’m done with the programme in October 2022.

 

About the author

Talitha Mpando is a highly-motivated public health professional currently working to bridge the gap between evidence and policy/practice as a knowledge translation research fellow. Her research interests focus on global health, with particular respect to the upstream determinants of health in the Global South. As a 2018 graduate of the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) Southern Africa Regional Leadership Centre in civic leadership, she has developed an action-oriented, Pan-African and holistic approach to leadership. She joins the first edition of PACKS Africa’s Corporate Evidence Leader – Mentorship Programme (CEL-MP), and looks forward to serving as a trail-blazer for many other young people. She can be reached via Facebook and LinkedIn (as Talitha Mpando) and on Twitter on the following handle: @Talitha_mpando.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in published blog posts, as well as any errors or omissions, are the sole responsibility of the author/s and do not represent the views of the Africa Evidence Network, its secretariat, advisory or reference groups, or its funders; nor does it imply endorsement by the afore-mentioned parties. 


Related Content

Vous trouverez ci-dessous tout le contenu de Espace d'apprentissage qui ont les mêmes balises que cet événement.

advocates events evidence informs news
AEN October 2024 Newsletter
2024-10-18 advocates aen newsletter 2024 events evidence informs learns news
  In this month's edition, we feature some reflections by Jan Magoro, a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) consultant at the Pan-African Collective for Evidence ...
Open Link More Details
AEN September 2024 Special Edition Newsletter
2024-09-20 advocates aen newsletter 2024 afew 2024 africa evidence week 2024 events evidence highlights informs learns news
The purpose of Africa Evidence Week 2024 was to celebrate the continent's evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) digitally. The AEN newsletter for this month is a special edition focused on...
Open Link More Details
Closing Africa Evidence Week 2024: a thank you from Siziwe Ngcwabe
2024-08-23 advocates afew 2024 africa evidence week 2024 events evidence informs news
Closing Africa Evidence Week 2024: a thank you from Siziwe Ngcwabe
The director and co-chair of the Africa Evidence Network (AEN), Siziwe Ngcwabe, gives a closing message for the third biennial Africa Evidence Week.
Watch
AEN August 2024 Newsletter
2024-08-20 advocates aen newsletter 2024 events evidence informs learns news
  This month, we feature insights from Siziwe Ngcwabe, director and co-chair of the Africa Evidence Network (AEN) from the 7th annual Evidence to Action Conference&nbs...
Open Link More Details
Africa Evidence Week 2024: Let the celebration begin!
2024-08-19 advocates afew 2024 africa evidence week 2024 events evidence informs news
Africa Evidence Week 2024: Let the celebration begin!
The director and co-chair of the Africa Evidence Network (AEN), Siziwe Ngcwabe, welcomes participants to the third edition of Africa Evidence Week. Catch all the Week's happenings on Twitter ...
Watch
AEN July 2024 Newsletter
2024-07-19 advocates aen newsletter 2024 events evidence informs learns news
This month, we feature an exciting project by one of the members of the Africa Evidence Youth League (AEYL), Penka Bogne, that is aimed at enhancing the participation of Franc...
Open Link More Details
AEN June 2024 Newsletter
2024-06-20 advocates aen newsletter 2024 events evidence informs learns news
The June edition features that voting for the Africa Evidence Leadership Award is open until 28 June. We also feature some key takeaways from the What Works Climate ...
Open Link More Details
AEN May 2024 Newsletter
2024-05-20 advocates aen newsletter 2024 events evidence informs learns news
This month, we feature the launch of Africa Evidence Week 2024 which is happening from 19 to 23 August. We also feature a project that aims to produce national evidence-u...
Open Link More Details
AEN April 2024 Newsletter
2024-04-19 advocates aen newsletter 2024 events evidence informs learns news
In the April edition of the newsletter, we feature the launch of a new Women Creating Wealth Agricultural Value Chains Programme, which focuses on women entrepreneurs in the citrus, win...
Open Link More Details
AEN March 2024 Newsletter
2024-04-19 advocates aen newsletter 2024 events evidence informs learns news
This month, we spotlight the exciting activities around the 11th AfrEA Conference in Kigali. In our international feature, we highlight the Global Commission on Evid...
Open Link More Details
AEN February 2024 Newsletter
2024-02-20 advocates aen newsletter 2024 events evidence informs learns news
This month in our Africa feature we look at Hewlett's Evidence-Informed Policymaking strategy. Meanwhile, in our International feature section we explore the promise and perils of A...
Open Link More Details
AEN January 2024 Newsletter
2024-01-19 advocates aen newsletter 2024 events evidence informs learns news
This month we spotlight the LEEPS Partnership. And in our international feature we highlight the Education Endowment Foundation's Research Evidence Guide. We're a...
Open Link More Details
NCDs a Priority In South Africa: Will Intention Translate Into Action??
2023-03-31 advocates blog events evidence informs learns news
NCDs a Priority In South Africa: Will Intention Translate Into Action??
  The social, health and economic burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to the South African economy and social fabric has not gone unnoticed. South Africa has frequently updated its stra...
Continue Reading
Developing the African ecosystem through mentorship: a seat at the table of evidence leaders
2022-02-17 advocates events evidence informs news
Developing the African ecosystem through mentorship: a seat at the table of evidence leaders
Photo: Talitha Mpando The evidence ecosystem on the continent is one which is growing every day, as leaders remain determined to push the agenda of enhancing evidence use for policy and practi...
Continue Reading
Africa Evidence Leadership Award 2022 - formulaire de confirmation
2022-02-02 advocates aen award africa evidence leadership award 2022 events evidence informs learns news
Africa Evidence Leadership Award 2022 - formulaire de confirmation
Toute nomination soumise pour le prix Africa Evidence Leadership 2022 doit inclure un formulaire de nomination ET de confirmation.
Open Link More Details
Africa Evidence Leadership Award 2022 - formulaire de nomination
2022-02-02 advocates aela 2022 africa evidence leadership award events evidence informs learns news
Africa Evidence Leadership Award 2022 - formulaire de nomination
Toute nomination soumise pour le prix Africa Evidence Leadership 2022 doit inclure un formulaire de nomination ET de confirmation.
Open Link More Details
Africa Evidence Leadership Award 2022 - confirmation form
2022-01-25 advocates aela 2022 africa evidence leadership award 2022 events evidence informs news
Africa Evidence Leadership Award 2022 - confirmation form
Any nomination submitted for the Africa Evidence Leadership Award 2022 must include a nomination AND confirmation form.
Open Link More Details
AEN January 2022 newsletter
2022-01-20 advocates aen-newsletter 2022 events evidence informs learns news
AEN January 2022 newsletter
The Africa Evidence Network (AEN) is happy to share with you the first AEN newsletter in 2022! The AEN turns ten in 2022! The Africa evidence feature showcases the AEN's ten year celebration plans ...
Open Link More Details
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader _ Akanyinene Obot: why I fell in love with EIDM
2021-10-14 advocates africa evidence week 2021 events evidence informs learns news
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader _ Akanyinene Obot: why I fell in love with EIDM
Mr Akanyinene Obot in conversation with the Africa Evidence Network secretariat on why he fell in love with evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM).
Watch
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader_Caroline Dusabe: why I fell in love with EIDM
2021-10-14 advocates africa evidence week 2021 events evidence informs learns news
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader_Caroline Dusabe: why I fell in love with EIDM
Ms Caroline Dusabe in conversation with the Africa Evidence Network secretariat on why she fell in love with evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM).
Watch
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader_Charity Chisoro: why I fell in love with EIDM
2021-10-14 advocates africa evidence week 2021 events evidence informs learns news
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader_Charity Chisoro: why I fell in love with EIDM
Ms Charity Chisoro in conversation with the Africa Evidence Network secretariat on why she fell in love with evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM).
Watch
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader_Edward Kayongo: why I fell in love with EIDM
2021-10-14 advocates africa evidence week 2021 events evidence informs learns news
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader_Edward Kayongo: why I fell in love with EIDM
Mr Edward Kayongo in conversation with the Africa Evidence Network secretariat on why he fell in love with evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM).
Watch
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader_Eucharia Nwaichi: why I fell in love with EIDM
2021-10-14 advocates africa evidence week 2021 events evidence informs learns news
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader_Eucharia Nwaichi: why I fell in love with EIDM
Ms Eucharia Nwaichi in conversation with the Africa Evidence Network secretariat on why she fell in love with evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM).
Watch
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader_Gloria Anderson: why I fell in love with EIDM
2021-10-14 advocates africa evidence week 2021 events evidence informs learns news
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader_Gloria Anderson: why I fell in love with EIDM
Ms Gloria Anderson in conversation with the Africa Evidence Network secretariat on why she fell in love with evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM).
Watch
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader_ Gordon Wanzare: why I fell in love with EIDM
2021-10-14 advocates africa evidence week 2021 events evidence informs learns news
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader_ Gordon Wanzare: why I fell in love with EIDM
Gordon Wanzare is in conversation with the Africa Evidence Network secretariat about why he fell in love with evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM).
Watch
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader_Lesedi Matlala: why I fell in love with EIDM
2021-10-14 advocates africa evidence week 2021 events evidence informs learns news
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader_Lesedi Matlala: why I fell in love with EIDM
Mr Lesedi Matlala in conversation with the Africa Evidence Network secretariat on why he fell in love with evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM).
Watch
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader_ Likhwa Ncube: why I fell in love with EIDM
2021-10-14 advocates africa evidence week 2021 events evidence informs learns news
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader_ Likhwa Ncube: why I fell in love with EIDM
Likhwa Ncube is in conversation with the Africa Evidence Network secretariat about why he fell in love with evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM).
Watch
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader_Nain Mirabel Yuh: why I fell in love with EIDM
2021-10-14 advocates africa evidence week 2021 events evidence informs learns news
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader_Nain Mirabel Yuh: why I fell in love with EIDM
Ms. Nain Mirabel Yuh in conversation with the Africa Evidence Network secretariat on why she fell in love with evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM).
Watch
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader_Precious Motha: why I fell in love with EIDM
2021-10-14 advocates africa evidence week 2021 events evidence informs learns news
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Emerging EIDM leader_Precious Motha: why I fell in love with EIDM
Ms Precious Motha in conversation with the Africa Evidence Network secretariat on why she fell in love with evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM).
Watch
Africa Evidence Week 2021: How is #AfricaEvidenceWeek2021 going?
2021-10-14 advocates africa evidence week 2021 events evidence informs learns news
Africa Evidence Week 2021: How is #AfricaEvidenceWeek2021 going?
The operations manager of the Africa Evidence Network, Siziwe Ngcwabe, shares her experience of #AfricaEvidenceWeek2021. Do you want to join the celebration of evidence-use in Africa? Jump onto Twitte...
Watch
Africa Evidence Week 2021: How to participate in Africa Evidence Week 2021
2021-10-14 advocates africa evidence week 2021 events evidence informs learns news
Africa Evidence Week 2021: How to participate in Africa Evidence Week 2021
Africa Evidence Leadership Award 2021 winner Diana Warira shares the best ways to join the celebration of #AfricaEvidenceWeek2021.
Watch
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Let the celebration begin!
2021-10-13 advocates africa evidence week 2021 events evidence informs news
Africa Evidence Week 2021: Let the celebration begin!
The Africa Evidence Network (AEN) secretariat's manager of AEN operations, Siziwe Ngcwabe, welcomes participants to the second biennial Africa Evidence Week. Catch all the Week's happenings on...
Watch
Evidence & Policy in Africa: Welcome to the AEN!
2014-07-15 advocates blog events evidence informs learns news
Evidence & Policy in Africa: Welcome to the AEN!
  As an African traveling overseas one is bound to encounter some of the many misconceptions the rest of the world seems to have developed about Africa. Africa might be a country, or it might ...
Continue Reading