Course Details

Professional Mentorship Program for Young NGO PMs Training Course

Introduction
The next generation of project managers in the development and humanitarian sector face increasingly complex challenges that demand more than technical skills—they require leadership, strategic thinking, and personal growth. The Professional Mentorship Program for Young NGO PMs Training Course is a dynamic 10-day capacity-building experience designed to support early-career project managers through structured mentorship, practical skill-building, and peer learning. This course empowers young professionals to grow their confidence, enhance their project management competencies, and build meaningful relationships that accelerate their career trajectory in the NGO sector.

Designed with a focus on real-world development practice, this mentorship-based training goes beyond theory to address the soft and hard skills necessary for successful project leadership. Participants are paired with experienced mentors, engage in guided reflections, and gain exposure to critical topics such as donor engagement, adaptive management, team leadership, and ethical decision-making. The course is ideal for young NGO professionals looking to transition into higher responsibility roles, and for organizations seeking to strengthen their leadership pipeline.

Duration

10 Days
Target Audience

• Early-career NGO project managers (0–5 years of experience)
• Junior program officers and technical coordinators
• Young professionals transitioning into project leadership roles
• NGO staff in talent development pipelines
• Mentors, team leads, and HR personnel supporting capacity building

Course Objectives

• Provide structured mentorship and professional coaching to young project managers
• Strengthen technical and leadership skills in managing NGO projects
• Cultivate reflective practice, emotional intelligence, and professional resilience
• Build confidence in managing teams, donors, budgets, and partnerships
• Create a supportive network of peers and mentors across the NGO sector

Course Modules

Module 1: Orientation to Mentorship and Career Growth

• Understanding the purpose of mentorship in career development
• Setting mentorship goals and expectations
• Mentee responsibilities and mentor-mentee dynamics
• Career planning and self-assessment tools
• Introducing reflective journaling and growth tracking

Module 2: Foundations of NGO Project Management

• Overview of project life cycles in development contexts
• Key principles of results-based management (RBM)
• Project planning and implementation essentials
• Understanding donor frameworks and funding cycles
• Role of PMs in achieving strategic goals

Module 3: Building Effective Mentor Relationships

• Creating psychologically safe mentorship spaces
• Active listening, empathy, and feedback skills
• Structuring productive mentor sessions
• Managing conflict and communication breakdowns
• Peer mentorship and reverse mentoring techniques

Module 4: Adaptive and Agile Thinking for PMs

• Embracing change and uncertainty in project environments
• Applying agile methods and flexible planning tools
• Making decisions with incomplete information
• Continuous improvement and adaptive learning cycles
• Case studies of successful project pivots

Module 5: Strategic Communication and Influence

• Communication styles and stakeholder analysis
• Presenting project updates with clarity and confidence
• Writing impactful emails, reports, and briefs
• Building influence without authority
• Communicating in cross-cultural and remote teams

Module 6: Time and Priority Management

• Task prioritization tools (e.g., Eisenhower Matrix, MoSCoW)
• Managing multiple responsibilities effectively
• Planning work across different timeframes
• Avoiding burnout and managing energy
• Tools and apps for staying organized

Module 7: Donor and Partner Engagement

• Understanding donor expectations and requirements
• Preparing for donor meetings and reporting cycles
• Maintaining transparency and credibility
• Building long-term strategic partnerships
• Balancing program impact with compliance

Module 8: Budgeting and Financial Oversight for PMs

• Basics of NGO budgeting and financial controls
• Reading and interpreting project financial reports
• Working with finance teams to track expenditures
• Responding to budget variances and re-allocations
• Funder accountability and audit readiness

Module 9: Managing Project Teams and Collaboration

• Building team cohesion and trust
• Delegation, supervision, and motivation
• Conflict resolution and feedback in teams
• Working with technical and support staff
• Leading virtual and hybrid teams effectively

Module 10: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

• M&E basics for young PMs
• Linking indicators to project goals and activities
• Collecting and using data for decision-making
• Capturing lessons learned and success stories
• Creating a culture of learning in project teams

Module 11: Ethical Leadership and Professional Integrity

• Understanding ethical dilemmas in humanitarian work
• Upholding accountability and safeguarding standards
• Navigating power, privilege, and organizational culture
• Professional boundaries and responsible leadership
• Role modeling and mentorship ethics

Module 12: Capstone Project and Career Action Plan

• Final presentations of mentorship reflections and key takeaways
• Peer feedback and mentor insights
• Building a personal career roadmap
• Setting long-term development goals
• Celebrating growth and building alumni networks

CERTIFICATION

• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

• Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

• Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com