1036- Uganda- Digital Tool Development Support for a Personal-Agency (Empowerment) based Training Program

As part of ongoing activities through the JHSPH-based SEE Change Initiative, a digital tool is being developed to accompany an existing personal-agency based training program, targeted at entrepreneurs and employees in existing organizations. This tool is intended as a follow-up to the training program, to support participants as they undergo their personal agency journey. The tool is a “digital nudge” for participants to carry out practices they learned in the training, as well as allow the SEE Change team to collect data on participants’ progress towards their stated goals. This digital tool is being developed by the Makerere Innovation and Incubation Center (MIIC) at Makerere University in Uganda, and will be tested among entrepreneurs in Uganda who are currently part of an ongoing RCT testing the SEE Change Empowered Entrepreneur Training program with small and micro entrepreneurs in Uganda.

Students will work with MIIC as well as RCT partner Enterprise Uganda to test this tool in the local context with current Ugandan small and micro entrepreneurs. The student will assist with testing rollout and data collection, management and analysis, and will support the MIIC team in fine-tuning the digital nudge tool.

The student will work with a local organization, MIIC, as well as a local organization, Enterprise Uganda. These groups have an environment similar to that of any professional workspace. The student will likely work from their residence, or any of the offices for the above listed groups, depending on task and timing.

is interested in both entrepreneurship as well as personal-agency based interventions. Personal-agency based interventions may be new to many students, but consist of an innovative approach to development activities that focuses on empowerment of the individual to achieve their goals, rather than providing external resources to the individual. This placement is also good for someone interested in digital platforms for data collection and as tools for enhancement of existing interventions.

Name: Anita Shankar, Department of International Health, anita.shankar@jhu.edu

I would describe my communication and mentorship styles as... 

Open communication style with flexibility to meet as the student needs, with a preference for weekly meetings at minimum. Communication is direct, straightforward and honest. Mentorship for both GHEFP-related work as well as career and professional topics if the student desires. Mentorship discussion may center around goals for themselves in all aspects of life.

A complementary student would have a working style and mentorship expectations that are..

The student’s working style should be self-motivated, with the ability to ask for guidance help when needed. Mentorship expectations may include regular discussions around GHEFP work as well as pathways to further their interests in the future, including career and professional goals.

Food and Lodging: $500 - $600 per month