RWSN Mentorship Program

Starting or pursuing a career in the (rural) water sector can be intimidating, and it can be difficult to know which direction to take and how to achieve your professional ambitions. Mentoring offers professionals in the water sector the opportunity to exchange with peers and progress more rapidly by learning from one another.

Since 2019, RWSN has been running a Mentoring programme which is open to all RWSN members and professionals in the water sector. If you are not yet an RWSN member, you can join RWSN here.

 

2026 Mentorship Program

 

In 2026, we will run the 7th edition of our mentorship program for the water sector, in collaboration with Agenda for Change. The 2026 Mentorship Programme is open to all RWSN members and water professionals, and is free of charge. Choose the program that suits you: 

RWSN Career Progression Program

This mentorship program is open to all professionals from the water sector. Mentees: male young professionals up to 35 years old and women of all ages. While RWSN has a strong rural water sector focus, we accept applications from all mentees and mentors interested in the water sector generally.

Women in WASH Program

This mentoring program, managed by Agenda for Change, is dedicated to women only, with the goal of facilitating knowledge and experience to foster personal and professional development. We strongly encourage women to participate as both mentors and mentees. Women are notably under-represented in our sector, a situation we are committed to changing. This program is an excellent opportunity for connection, growth, and empowerment. 

 

Eligibility: RWSN Career Progression Program

Mentors

There is no age requirement for mentors (senior professionals), but they should have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the water sector. We are looking for a range of mentors with different levels of experience and a variety of skills, so don’t hesitate to apply even if you feel that you may not be ‘senior’ enough.

We strongly encourage women to sign up both as mentors and mentees, as they are currently under-represented in our membership and in the sector more broadly – and we would like this to change! Feedback from our mentees in the past year also shows that women gain a lot from being mentored by other women – another reason to apply as a mentor. 

Mentees

The following individuals active in the water sector are eligible to be mentees: 

  • Young professionals under the age of 35
  • Women of all ages

There is no minimum level of experience required. Students are welcome to participate. 

 

Ready to apply? Here's what you need to know:

  • Applications close 20 March 2026
  • The form is available in English, French, and Spanish
  • Takes approximately 25–30 minutes - set aside the time to complete it thoughtfully in one sitting
  • Only complete applications will be reviewed - the more detail you provide, the stronger your chance of being selected
  • Spots are limited and competitive - original, reflective answers matter

 

APPLY HERE 

 

Reports from previous years

RWSN and Women in WASH Mentoring Programmes 2024 Report

RWSN and Women in WASH Mentoring Programs 2025 Report

What are the benefits of the RWSN Mentorship Program?

To get an idea of the benefits of participating in the RWSN Mentorship Program, you can watch this video where some of the past RWSN mentees and mentors shared their experiences, and read the blogs from some of the past mentors and mentees:

 

How does it work?

The mentoring scheme entails connecting regularly via phone/WhatsApp/Zoom or in person regularly (e.g. weekly, biweekly, or once a month) and maintaining communication through email, message etc. We recommend that mentors and mentees commit to a minimum period of six months. If there is a willingness to stay engaged from both sides, the mentoring scheme can be extended beyond that.

  • Mentees (young professionals/ women) and mentors who have signed up for the mentoring scheme will find their mentor/mentee themselves through our online platform Pushfar. If you have signed up and your profile has been approved by the RWSN Secretariat, you can look at available mentors and make a request for them to be matched with you. Try and provide as much information as possible in your profile on your mentoring goals, professional interests, to make sure you find the right match.
  • Mentors/mentees are not obliged to accept requests from mentees/ mentors – don’t be offended if you are turned down; it is far better to turn down a mentoring request than to start a mentoring relationship that is not the right fit for both parties.
  • Once a mentoring request has been accepted and the mentoring relationship is on track, mentors and mentees will be encouraged to meet outside of Pushfar, usually online, at the request of the mentee, to guide them through the development of their professional career in rural water.
  • The mentee will be in charge of setting up the online meetings, making their goals expectations clear, and documenting outcomes, with support from the RWSN Secretariat if necessary.

 

What’s in it for the mentor?

  • Broaden your horizons: Mentors usually find the mentoring experience extremely rewarding. It not only helps them connect and build a relationship with one or several young professionals, but they may also learn from their mentees in relation to other organisations, new research in the sector, or learn about other ways of working.
  • Share your knowledge: A mentoring programme allows you to share your knowledge and experience beyond your immediate organisation, and make a difference in a young person's career.
  • Acquire management experience: Getting mentoring experience can be a stepping stone to managing other staff in your organisation/ company.

Once you have established contact with your mentee, it is up to you and the mentee to make it work. The Guidelines can help you maintain a successful mentoring relationship. They include advice on: 

  • Preparing for Mentoring
  • Establishing the Mentoring Relationship
  • Giving feedback 

 

What can a mentor do for you?

Mentoring can be a rewarding experience for the mentee. A mentor can be a tremendous source of advice, information and a sounding board for your ideas, and can help you with career development and professional growth.

Once you have established a relationship with your mentor, it is up to you to make it work. The following guidelines can help you maintain a successful mentoring relationship.

  • Ask your mentor to take a look at your CV: A mentor can help improve how your CV is perceived by potential employers, but also offer advice on what professional experience or training you could do in the future to reach your professional goals. He or she can also help you create or update your LinkedIn profile.
  • Ask your mentor to do a mock job interview: If you are considering applying for a job, your mentor can provide some good feedback on your interview technique. 
  • Ask your mentor for advice on career development: You may be interested in transitioning from one sector to another (e.g. from WASH to water resources management, or from development to humanitarian/ emergency work), but you are not sure how to get started. A mentor can provide some useful advice and tips on how to make that transition, or suggest some organisations or affinity groups to join.
  • Ask your mentor to provide feedback on ideas: You may be interested in starting a PhD, an NGO, a social enterprise, or your own business in the water sector. Ask your mentor for feedback on your ideas.
  • Broaden your horizons: Your mentor may know of organisations that could be of interest to you in your career.

 

Agreements

By signing up for the Mentoring programme, mentors and mentees agree to abide by the RWSN code of conduct for the mentorship programme.

For more information on RWSN activities for young professionals, see here. We encourage young professionals to join the RWSN Young Professionals' community to stay informed of upcoming opportunities.