Program summary
The Pacific Wayfinders mentoring program aims to expand the professional network between Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Island countries (PICs) and supporting the development of health service workers and health service managers in PICs through mentoring.
The mentoring program pairs health workers in PICs with experienced health and business professionals in Australia and New Zealand. This gives mentees an opportunity to meet and communicate with leaders in their field.
Through the structured program, mentees will be encouraged to drive the mentoring process and discussion, enabling them to gain insights and perspectives from experienced mentors, helping them to establish and work towards career goals, build confidence and develop their professional skills.
The 2020/21 Pacific Wayfinders mentoring program will run from November 2020 – June 2021.
Applications for the mentoring program are open now for all health workers and health service mangers working in eligible PICs.
Please read the information below before applying. You can apply by filling out the form at the bottom of this post.
Program roles
Being a mentee
A mentee is a person who is:
- Committed to self-development and learning
- Able to set clear goals for their career
- Open to support and guidance from others
- Can ask questions, listen and reflect on the answers.
Being a mentor
A mentor can be a coach, advisor or counsellor. They are someone who can:
- Guide you to achieve your professional goals
- Give insights and different perspectives on your work
- Facilitate a non-judgemental space for you to ask questions.
All mentors with Motivation Australia go through a recruitment and induction process, where they receive training on ways to communicate with and develop trust with mentees.
Responsibilities
Both mentor and mentee are expected to take on responsibilities that will build a strong and supportive professional relationship. Both mentor and mentee are expected to:
- Commit to the minimum participation requirements
- Conduct themselves in an ethical and professional manner
- Maintain confidentiality in all discussions with their mentor.
Benefits of mentoring
Mentoring builds the professional capacity of both mentor and mentee. Benefits may include, but are not limited to:
- Coaching on practical topics and skills
- Development of career goals and structured plans to achieve them
- Insight into a career field or organisations
- Perspective on professional challenges and difficulties
- Non-judgemental and confidential feedback on workplace situations and professional work.
The mentoring process also enables you to develop socially and emotionally in a range of ways:
- Development of communication skills
- Building confidence and self-esteem
- Building professional networks and a support system
- Increased motivation and morale.
Program structure
Selection
Motivation Australia will select your mentor from a wide range of Australian and New Zealand health and business leaders.
During the induction process, you will be asked to fill out an information sheet that will be used to guide selection of your mentor. Matches will be based on shared working experience, position, career goals and program objectives.
If there are any issues with the mentor selected for you, you are encouraged to contact Motivation Australia, however it is also important to remember that a successful mentoring relationship relies on trust and this can take time to develop.
Meetings
Meetings will be held using Zoom, Skype or other video teleconferencing applications where possible. Where internet or location does not allow for video teleconferencing, meetings may be held via telephone.
All data use for internet requirements will be funded by Motivation Australia for the duration of the program, allowing you to meet and communicate regularly with your mentor via email or other messaging platforms.
Discussion
As this program is mentee-driven, you can decide and negotiate with your mentor the topic you would like to discuss. The mentoring program aims to provide an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about your career or professional life, within the boundaries that have been set.
To help stimulate ideas and discussion, Motivation Australia will provide a program handbook that contains suggested discussion topics, sample meeting plans and supplementary mentoring information. Some examples include:
- Self-awareness and career values
- Health industry trends and issues
- Leadership skills and methods
- Conflict resolution
- Motivation and mindset
- Career progression and self-development.
Support
Throughout the duration of the mentoring program, Motivation Australia staff will be available to contact for any queries, concerns or feedback.
If you prefer, Motivation Australia staff can also be present at meetings between you and your mentor.
If you have any questions or want more information about this program and being a mentee, please contact Motivation Australia Project Officer Daniel Noll by email at danielnoll@motivation.org.au.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a cost to participate?
There are no costs to participate in the mentoring program. All costs will be covered by Motivation Australia under our Pacific Wayfinders project, which aims to give continuous professional development and learning opportunities to health workers in the Pacific Islands.
Motivation Australia will fund any data use for internet requirements during the program. Incidental costs, such as travel costs to work to use a computer, will not be covered by Motivation Australia unless there are exceptional circumstances.
What are the eligible Pacific Island countries?
During the 2020/21 year of the program, health workers from the following countries are eligible to participate in the program:
- Fiji
- Papua New Guinea
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Vanuatu
If you reside or work in a country in the Pacific Islands not listed above, please email Motivation Australia’s Project Officer Daniel Noll. Under special circumstances it may be possible for people outside of the above countries to be included in the program.
Motivation Australia hopes to expand the opportunities to be included in the Pacific Wayfinders mentoring program to a wider range of countries in 2021/22.
Do I need my own computer to participate in the program?
No, you will not need your own computer to participate in the program.
If you do not have your own computer, Motivation Australia will organise with your employer to give you use of a work computer for the program.
If I am away from work for 1-2 months during the program can I still participate?
Yes, it is still possible to be included in the program as long as you can still commit to the minimum participation requirements.
What happens at the end of the program?
At your final meeting you can discuss with your mentor how and in what capacity your relationship may continue. You may agree to continue the mentoring relationship outside of the program if you wish, or to remain professional contacts.
Mentee application form
If you interested in being a mentee, please fill out the form below.
You will need to provide the details of a reference that we can contact, and have access to an email you can send and receive messages from. You can also upload your CV or resume in the form below, but this is not required, so do not worry if you do not have one prepared.
The Pacific Wayfinders mentoring program is part of Motivation Australia’s Pacific Wayfinders project, supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s ANCP programme and the Rotary Club of Torquay.
