Building a Sustainable Cadre of D2P Facilitators and Mentors
The D2P Train-the-Trainer (TTT) workshop prepares facilitators and mentors to lead D2P programs in their countries. Through intensive practice, peer learning, and expert coaching, participants gain the skills to facilitate training sessions, mentor project teams, and sustain D2P implementation locally.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the TTT workshop, participants will be able to:
Facilitate D2P Sessions
- Deliver D2P modules with confidence
- Apply adult learning principles
- Manage group dynamics effectively
- Adapt content to local context
Mentor Project Teams
- Guide teams through policy brief development
- Provide constructive technical feedback
- Support remote mentorship effectively
- Navigate common challenges
Use D2P Materials
- Navigate all 20+ modules and tools
- Customize materials for local needs
- Apply the Policy Brief Checklist
- Leverage online and in-person resources
Lead D2P Programs
- Plan and coordinate D2P courses
- Manage facilitator teams
- Troubleshoot implementation issues
- Ensure quality standards
Development Pathway: From Participant to Lead Facilitator
D2P uses a structured progression to build sustainable facilitation capacity:
Attend D2P Course
Participate as D2P trainee or observe a full D2P course
(Desired but not required)
Attend TTT Workshop
Complete 3-5 day intensive TTT training on facilitation and mentorship
(Required)
Co-Mentor D2P Team
Support a project group with an experienced mentor
(Required)
Independent Mentor OR Co-Facilitate
Lead a team independently OR co-facilitate D2P sessions
(Choose based on readiness)
Lead Facilitator
Coordinate and manage full D2P programs
(2+ cohorts experience)
TTT Workshop Curriculum
Format: 3-5 day intensive workshop, held 1-2 months before a D2P course
Delivery: In-person preferred; virtual option available
Pre-Workshop Preparation (2 weeks before)
Participants must complete:
- Read D2P Mentor Guide in full
- Review all D2P course modules (L00-L20)
- Study the 10 Steps to Developing a Policy Brief
- Review Policy Brief Checklist
- Prepare assigned module for practice presentation
Workshop Schedule (5-Day Format)
Day 1: D2P Overview & Adult Learning
Morning:
- Welcome and TTT objectives
- D2P program overview and impact
- Review of 10 Steps framework
- D2P course structure and formats
Afternoon:
- Adult learning principles
- Effective facilitation techniques
- Group dynamics and management
- Practice: Facilitating small group discussions
Day 2: Unit 1 Modules & Mentorship
Morning:
- Review Unit 1 modules (L00-L08)
- Practice presentations: L01-L04
- Peer feedback sessions
Afternoon:
- Mentorship fundamentals
- Providing constructive feedback
- Practice: Reviewing fishbone diagrams
- Practice: Giving feedback on problem statements
Day 3: Unit 2 & Economic Evaluation
Morning:
- Review Unit 2 modules (L09-L13)
- Decision tree modeling workshop
- Practice presentations: L10-L12
Afternoon:
- Mentoring economic evaluations
- Common challenges in Unit 2
- Practice: Reviewing decision trees
- Practice: Troubleshooting Excel models
Day 4: Unit 3 & Remote Mentorship
Morning:
- Review Unit 3 modules (L14-L20)
- Practice presentations: L15-L17
- Policy Brief Checklist deep dive
Afternoon:
- Remote mentorship strategies
- Using Zoom, email, WhatsApp effectively
- Maintaining participant engagement
- Practice: Virtual mentoring sessions
Day 5: Program Management & Practice
Morning:
- Lead facilitator role and responsibilities
- D2P program planning and logistics
- Managing facilitator teams
- Quality assurance and standards
Afternoon:
- Final practice presentations
- Troubleshooting common challenges
- Action planning for next D2P course
- Certificates and closing
3-Day Condensed Format
For experienced D2P graduates or when time is limited:
- Day 1: D2P overview, adult learning, Unit 1 review
- Day 2: Unit 2 review, economic evaluation mentorship, practice sessions
- Day 3: Unit 3 review, remote mentorship, program management, action planning
TTT Teaching Methods
The TTT uses active, experiential learning approaches:
🎤 Practice Presentations
Each participant delivers 1-2 practice module presentations (10-15 min) and receives peer and facilitator feedback.
👥 Peer Feedback
Structured peer observation and feedback using rubrics for presentation skills, clarity, and engagement.
🎭 Role-Playing
Simulate mentoring scenarios: handling difficult questions, giving critical feedback, managing team conflicts.
💬 Case Discussions
Analyze real D2P challenges from past cohorts and discuss mentor responses.
🛠️ Hands-On Practice
Work through policy analysis tables, review fishbone diagrams, troubleshoot decision tree models.
📝 Reflection
Daily reflection sessions to consolidate learning and plan application strategies.
Who Should Attend TTT?
Ideal Candidates
- D2P graduates who demonstrated strong performance and engagement
- Health policy professionals with 3+ years experience
- Epidemiologists/biostatisticians comfortable with data analysis
- Health economists (especially for Unit 2 mentorship)
- Academic faculty with teaching experience
- Individuals with supervisor endorsement and time commitment
Selection Process
- Nomination: By D2P facilitators or supervisors
- Endorsement: Written support from senior leadership
- Application: Statement of interest and availability
- Interview: Discussion of motivation and commitment (if needed)
- Confirmation: 2-3 weeks before TTT
Prerequisites
- Understanding of D2P program goals and methods
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to commit to:
- Pre-workshop preparation (10-15 hours)
- Full attendance at TTT workshop
- Co-mentoring next D2P cohort
- Access to computer and internet for virtual components
After the TTT Workshop
Immediate Next Steps (1-2 months after TTT)
- Assigned to co-mentor a D2P project group
- Paired with experienced mentor for support
- Receive module assignment for facilitation
- Join facilitator team meetings and debriefs
First D2P Course (Co-Mentor Role)
- Observe experienced mentor's approach
- Co-facilitate 1-2 modules
- Support group work and provide feedback
- Participate in all facilitator meetings
- Receive ongoing coaching from lead facilitator
Second D2P Course (Independent Mentor or Lead)
- Option A: Lead a project group independently
- Option B: Co-facilitate full units
- Option C: Serve as lead facilitator (if ready)
- Continue professional development through peer learning
Ongoing Development
- Annual refresher workshops
- Peer learning community
- Access to updated materials and resources
- Opportunities to mentor other facilitators
- Potential to lead TTT workshops
Quality Standards for D2P Facilitators
All D2P facilitators and mentors are expected to:
📚 Content Mastery
- Thorough knowledge of all D2P modules
- Understanding of 10 Steps framework
- Familiarity with economic evaluation methods
- Awareness of local health policy context
🎓 Facilitation Skills
- Apply adult learning principles
- Manage diverse group dynamics
- Encourage participation and engagement
- Adapt to different learning styles
💬 Communication
- Clear, concise explanations
- Active listening to participant needs
- Constructive, actionable feedback
- Cultural sensitivity and respect
🤝 Mentorship Approach
- Regular, consistent engagement
- Supportive yet challenging guidance
- Respect for team autonomy
- Commitment to participant success
⏰ Reliability
- Full attendance at all sessions
- Timely responses to communications
- Meeting deadlines and commitments
- Preparation for all activities
🌱 Continuous Improvement
- Openness to feedback
- Reflection on facilitation practice
- Participation in peer learning
- Staying current with D2P updates
TTT Materials & Resources
Core Documents
- TTT Concept Note
- TTT Facilitator Guide
- TTT Participant Manual
- D2P Mentor Guide (comprehensive)
- 10 Steps to Developing a Policy Brief
Practice Materials
- Module presentation templates
- Feedback rubrics for presentations
- Mentoring scenario cards
- Sample policy briefs for review
- Sample decision trees for critique
Reference Materials
- All D2P module PowerPoints (L00-L20)
- Module summaries and learning objectives
- Activity sheets and worksheets
- Policy Brief Checklist
- Case studies library
Upcoming TTT Workshops
Regional TTT - East Africa
Location: Kigali, Rwanda
Target: Facilitators from Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania
Focus: In-person intensive format
Contact: d2p-africa@vitalstrategies.org
Virtual TTT - Southeast Asia
Format: Virtual (5 half-days)
Target: Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar facilitators
Focus: Virtual and hybrid D2P delivery
Contact: d2p-asia@vitalstrategies.org
Advanced TTT - Lead Facilitators
Location: TBD
Target: Experienced facilitators (2+ cohorts)
Focus: Program management, quality assurance, training new facilitators
Contact: d2p@cdcfoundation.org
Interested in Becoming a D2P Facilitator?
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