Professional Development
The GHTP program considers professional development to be critical for professional growth and satisfaction. It is also a crucial part of providing the best support possible for USAID and its Missions.
We strongly encourage our Technical Professionals to pursue professional and career development opportunities that will improve their effectiveness as global health professionals now and into the future.
USAID invests in continuous professional growth for health professionals at all career levels working around the world. The global health community is on the front lines of health operations worldwide—from the COVID-19 response to rapid Ebola virus response and combating maternal and child malnutrition, among many others. Continuous professional development is essential to keep pace with the rapidly evolving skill sets needed in this ever-changing environment, and it ensures our Technical Professionals are ready to face emerging global health challenges.
Technical Professionals receive an annual stipend for professional and career development, as well as information and access to professional development opportunities on a variety of platforms. Our Technical Professionals have used their stipends to advance their career through many technical activities, including certification programs, technical skill courses, conferences, coaching, memberships and/or association fees, and foreign language classes.
GHTP provides one-on-one support for professional development, working with Technical Professionals to develop annual training plans that identify key learning areas for career development and professional growth. We also share regular announcements about professional development resources and opportunities such as webinars, conferences, discussions, and language training.
GHTP Mentorship Program
GHTP’s Mentorship Program provides a multi-faceted platform for continuous growth and learning with the goal of enhancing skills and empowering global health professionals. Mentorship is a valuable tool for navigating USAID and its partner organizations, enhancing technical skills, and advancing career goals.
We offer open enrollment regularly throughout the calendar year and match Technical Professionals with mentors representing a wide range of industries working in public and global health and international development. In addition, the Mentorship Program provides supplementary tools, resources, communications, and interactive workshops for mentors and mentees. Some of the resources we provide to program participants include:
Resources for Mentors and Mentees
- What Siri Can Teach Us About Effective Communication
- Things to Do Together
- Social Distancing Doesn’t Have to Disrupt Mentorship
- The Goal Driven Mentoring Relationship
- Setting Boundaries in Mentoring Relationship
- Preparatory Exercise
- How to Break Up with Your Mentor
- How to be an Effective Mentor /Mentee
- Communicating in Mentoring Relationships
- What great mentorship looks like in a hybrid workplace
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, visit our Become a Mentor page.
Testimonials from Technical Professionals Participating in the GHTP Mentorship Program
“I wanted opportunities to meet with and learn from experienced USAID staff. Being part of the Mentorship Program gives me an opportunity to engage with team members beyond my Division.”
“My mentorship partner gave me the opportunity to guest lecture in the graduate course he teaches. Teaching is a potential direction for me, although I do have some degree of presentation anxiety. Going through that process helped me identify my nervousness, and also gave me a great deal to think about in terms of communicating with professionals outside of my specific field and work. I found my presentation quite challenging, in part because of the topic, virtual medium, and audience. However, this experience really has been beneficial for me in terms of the need to simplify complex information and communicate better outside of our usual silos.”
“My mentor has emphasized the importance of seeking not only professional mentors but also "life mentors." She has encouraged me to look for people with whom I share values and can discuss my life goals. It had not occurred to me to emphasize my personal growth in such an intentional way, and I really appreciated the reminder that what I want to accomplish as a person can be as important as what I want in a career.”