Skill categories of MENTOR-VIP
The following skill categories are intended to capture most of the relevant skills for injury and violence prevention. A one sentence description summarizes the main application of the skills category to MENTOR-VIP, and is followed by an illustrative list of skills that would fall within the category. It should be noted that these examples are illustrative only and are not meant to be an exhaustive listing of relevant skills that would fall within the category.
To the extent possible these categories are meant to be non-overlapping. Specific skills may fall within a number of different categories and this is a reflection of both the interrelatedness of some of the categories and the fact that a number of skills have broad relevance, although their application or importance across the categories may change.
The categorization of skills within MENTOR-VIP serves a number of objectives. One is to assist mentee candidates reflect critically on their skill building needs and capabilities. Another is to assist with appropriate matching of mentees and mentors through provision of a common understanding of the categorization of these skills. If you are applying for a mentorship you are strongly encouraged to print out this page and have it available while you complete the online application form.
1. Planning and conducting research
A broad category meant to cover all skills related to carrying out research. Examples of specific skills within this category include carrying out specific types of research such as systematic reviews, clinical trials, or operational (e.g. action-based) research; critical appraisal of scientific literature; qualitative and quantitative methods; setting up surveillance systems, surveys and sampling; data collection issues; grant writing and writing for journals etc.
2. Evidence-based programme design and planning
Skills relevant to adapting evidence-based approaches to preventing injuries and violence to programmes relevant to a specific local context. Examples of specific skills within this category include conducting literature reviews; critical appraisal of scientific literature; needs and stakeholder analysis; contextualization of relevant programme elements to local culture and resources; programme design including coherent and appropriate construction of logic frameworks, inputs, outputs and objectives etc.
3. Programme implementation and management
Skills related to implementation of injury and violence prevention programmes. Examples of specific skills within this category include relating programme progress to logic frameworks; teambuilding and leveraging competencies within team environments; assuring programme financing and sustainability; personnel management and internal communication; working with communities; partnership development; verbal and written reporting skills etc.
4. Programme monitoring and evaluation
Skills to conduct monitoring and evaluation of injury and violence prevention programmes. Examples of specific skills within this category include study design; selecting and establishing appropriate methods for data collection; data analysis and interpretation; verbal and written reporting skills; synthesizing knowledge and formulating prescriptive recommendations etc.
5. Policy analysis and development
Skills related to improving the policy environment for injury and violence prevention and developing injury and violence prevention policies. Examples of specific skills within this category include accessing and reviewing relevant policy documentation; assuming or negotiating leadership of a process; communicating and collaborating across sectors; coherent formulation of policies including appropriate specification of key elements (goals, objectives, timelines etc.); obtaining political endorsement and commitment etc.
6. Imparting knowledge and skills
Skills related to enhancing the human resource capacity for injury and violence prevention. Examples of specific skills within this category include developing appropriate training materials; curricula analysis and adapting pedagogic content for a particular training context and audience; motivating and providing feedback to others; evaluating acquisition and retention of knowledge and skills; serving as a resource in a particular injury or violence topic area; written and oral presentation skills etc.
7. Advocacy and communication
Skills related to external communication and advocacy. Examples of specific skills within this category include proposal writing (including specific types such as research grant writing, scholarship applications etc); working with media; developing, launching, and sustaining campaigns; synthesizing appropriate messages; networking, recognizing and leveraging specific and appropriate competencies for a communications task; verbal and written reporting skills etc.
8. Assuring funding support
Skills relevant to attracting financial support for injury and violence prevention. Examples of specific skills within this category include accessing and strategically reviewing information relevant to potential funding opportunities; verbal and written reporting skills; networking and building partnerships; strategic planning etc.
Candidates who are interested in applying for a mentorship should reflect on the above skills categories and determine how their own skills development needs fit within them. The online application for a mentorship, which can be accessed at the link below, will request mentee candidates to rank the three most important skills categories from the above list to their own needs. Candidates applying for the programme are also encouraged to read the MENTOR-VIP programme document.