Social Work Organizational Development Specialist

Overview and Objective:

The Volunteer Healthcare Corps is recruiting for a mentor to serve as an organizational development adviser at the Social Work Association of Zambia (SWAZ), helping to revitalize the association’s management and operations systems and structure. The Mentor will conduct an organizational capacity assessment (OCA) to assess current systems and processes in the areas of governance, administration, program management, finance, procurement, and human resources.

Upon completion of the OCA, the volunteer will provide training and mentoring to SWAZ employees and other relevant individuals in areas identified through the

 assessment

*Benefits: While Mentors contribute their time, expertise and enthusiasm to the placements, he Volunteer Healthcare Corps covers all travel related costs (flights to and from Zambia, visas vaccinations, meds) and provides monthly living and housing stipends as well as other benefits.*

Background:

In recent years, Zambia has developed a coordinated and effective national response to the AIDS epidemic, and to the needs of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). These strategies are seeing results and paving a roadmap for improving the provision of services for those affected by HIV/AIDS, particularly OVC. A concerted OVC system strengthening effort may provide the stimulus needed to bring about necessary changes. While Zambia has made tremendous gains in its OVC response, and in some ways has helped to lead the way for much of Africa’s response for children affected by AIDS, much work needs to be done to ensure this work has the scale, coverage, and systems building needed to ensure sustainability.

The University of Zambia’s School of Social Work, the Social Work Association of Zambia (SWAZ), and the Zambian Association of Child Care Workers (ZACCW) will play a prominent role in a new initiative led by Save the Children. This initiative, known as the Zambia Orphans and Vulnerable Children Systems Strengthening (ZOVSS) program, will help develop the social welfare workforce and the institutionalization of a professional body to support this cadre of professionals as they interface with families and communities throughout the country.

Through its Volunteer Healthcare Corps, AIHA will deploy a volunteer whose goal will be to build the organizational capacity of SWAZ to stand as a local resource that actively supports Zambia’s social welfare workforce. The volunteer will provide hands-on coaching, mentoring, and technical assistance to SWAZ officers to strengthen organizational deficiencies and gaps.

In-country placement site:The volunteer will report to AIHA’s Zambia Country Director, however s/he will be placed within the Social Work Association of Zambia (SWAZ) office. The volunteer will generally help develop and carry out the mission of SWAZ, which is to promote and develop the social worker cadre, elevate the importance of the profession within the government, and enhance the resources available to social workers so they can provide quality care and support to vulnerable families.

Length of the assignment: 14 months, full time (8 hours per day; 5 days per week; with appropriate holidays and vacation)

Name and title of supervisor:Anne Mumbi, AIHA Zambia Country Director

Volunteer qualifications:Required:

• Baccalaureate degree in social work or Masters in social work
• At least 2 years experience in social work
• Experience in organizational development and assessments, budgeting, and financial management
• Knowledge of public health, particularly related to OVC and HIV/AIDS programs
• Experience training and enhancing the skills of others in an interactive manner
• Ability to hand multiple tasks simultaneously and to work independently, as well as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Self-starter with strong problem-solving skills

Preferred:

• Experience at a Social Work Association and/or Council
• Experience with social work in the African or international context

How to apply:

1. Fill out our short application online: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=901223173822
2. Email your CV and a cover letter to vhc@aiha.com.

Please email Sara Adelman at sadelman@aiha.com with any inquiries.

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