Background:
In 2010, Zambia participated in the first global conference convened to address Strengthening the Social Welfare Workforce (SWW), sponsored by USAID. As a country, Zambia identified two key challenges facing the Zambian SWW: 1) ensuring quality control for social workers in an environment of low recognition, inadequate financing and a lack of regulations, and 2) inadequate structures to field an appropriate number of staff to serve the needs of marginalized populations. To ameliorate both of these challenges it was recommended that a comprehensive Situational Analysis of the SWW be conducted. In 2014, Zambia Rising through the Training Resources Group Inc., a Human Resources Assessment and Gap Analysis of the SWW was conducted. This was followed by dissemination and a workshop to develop a Road Map to address the gaps. Additionally in 2014, Volunteer Services Overseas, was commissioned by the former Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health to conduct two studies on community volunteers: 1) a community volunteer skills audit and 2) a community volunteer linkages study. These two assessments have equally contributed to the body of evidence surrounding the social services workforce.
In 2015, from the findings and identified gaps, a draft Implementation Plan to Strengthen the SWW was developed and revised in April 2016.
The plan, still in draft, needs now to be updated, adjusted to include additional information gathered, including from the National Consultation on Children’s Care Reform held in May 2016, and finalized.
The Social Welfare Workforce plays a critical role within the social welfare system, for the provision of services to the poor and vulnerable groups including children. Therefore, developing a national implementation plan for strengthening the SWW provides a strategic framework that is essential to building a well-functioning social welfare system. This plan is based on the understanding that children are susceptible to various situations that render them vulnerable. A functioning Social Welfare Workforce (SWW) is cardinal as it serves as a vital safety net for children and families as well as ensuring that families and children have access to an array of quality services that promote wellbeing, protection, and an enhanced quality of life.
A competent and skilled Social Welfare Workforce (SWW) is critical to ensure effective social services to most vulnerable children and their families. This Social Welfare Workforce includes many different cadres, formal and informal, paid and unpaid, professional and community caregivers and volunteers, governmental and nongovernmental—that make the social service system function at many levels: policy, planning and coordination at district level, and at service delivery at the community and child’s level.
In addition, as the GRZ is engaging with UNICEF on integrating formal case management beyond OVC programs, the project is working closely with both institution to building a synergy of efforts between USAID, UNICEF and Zambia Rising.
Objective of Consultancy:
The consultancy will focus on reviewing and finalizing the National Implementation Plan to Strengthen the SWW and ensure it is in-line with on-going in-country efforts and global workforce strengthening trends and best practice.
Description of Work:
The consultant(s) will be required to work under the direction of Government of the Republic of Zambia at the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services with support from Zambia Rising technical team. The Consultant will be tasked to review the draft of the Implementation Plan to Strengthen the Social Welfare Workforce and ensure that the Plan is aligned with the existing in-country efforts to strengthen the SWW, with national policies related to social welfare while reflecting critical findings from research and global best practice. The consultant will produce the final draft copy for presentation to Government, Zambia Rising and key stakeholders.
Responsibilities and Tasks
- Desk review of study reports and documentation related to Zambia Social Welfare Workforce;
- Review the draft implementation plan and develop a specific road map to ensure its finalization complete with resource requirements;
- Facilitate consultative meetings with Government officials, SWAZ, UNICEF, USAID, UNZA; ZCCWA, Mulungushi University, Monze and Kitwe Community Development Colleges and Zambia Rising for input into the final version of the Implementation Plan;
- Develop the final version of the Implementation Plan using the Government approved framework. This will be shared with key stakeholders including Guiding Coalition members, Government Officials, UNICEF, Zambia Rising for their review and comments;
- Revise the final version of the Implementation Plan to reflect input from GRZ and other stakeholders.
- Facilitate a stakeholders meeting to share the final document for validation;
- Proof read, edit in readiness for approval and printing of the Implementation Plan.
Deliverables:
- Desk review conducted, consultations held road map for completion of the report drafted and shared with Zambia Rising and MCDSS;
- 2-day consultative meeting held with a meeting report;
- Final version of the Implementation Plan developed and shared with Zambia Rising and MCDSS for sharing with others for feedback;
- Feedback included and validation meeting held with a meeting report;
- Final Implementation Plan to Strengthen the SWW proof read and edited in readiness for printing.
Location
Desk based and travel to and within Zambia.
Contract Duration and Timeframe
Consultancy will require 60 days including 1 trip to Zambia (in case of consultancy being conducted by International Consultants).
Timeframe August-September 2017
The deadline for submission is Thursday, 26th July by 12:00 hours.
