Terms of Reference
for Developing a Conceptual Framework for Social Work Practice in Abkhazia and
aTraining Programme for Social Workers
Background
Abkhazia is heavily affected by the consequences of the 1992-1993 war, the protracted conflict and more than 20 years of international isolation. The budget of Abkhazia is very limited, hence, the funds allocated for the key social areas are extremely low.
The results of the child protection assessment recently carried out by UNICEF in partnership with World Vision and the informal inter-ministerial Working Group on Child Wellbeing showed that social services to support vulnerable families and children in Abkhazia are insufficient. Besides basic health and education services, as well as the payment of low social benefits, there are barely any social services provided by central, district or local level de facto authorities in support of vulnerable families and children. Some social services have been developed with the help of international governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as local NGOs.However, on both institutional and community level more needs to be done to further develop and strengthen social services for vulnerable families and children. Especially, social work is still a widely unknown concept and profession in Abkhazia.
Over the last years, UNICEF and its partners have been working with local communities in Abkhazia to improve access to basic health, education and other social services. To increase the sustainability of achievements made so far on specific child wellbeing issues, UNICEF intends to strengthen social work as a crucial component of the social protection system,which could play a core role in improving child wellbeingin Abkhazia.
Purpose of the consultancy
UNICEF seeks to engage an international consultant to undertake – in close cooperation with UNICEF’s Sukhumi Field Office, the inter-ministerial Working Group on Child Well-Being and other relevant stakeholders in Abkhazia – the development of a regional conceptual framework for social work practice in Abkhazia, as well as the development of a training programme for social workers. The consultancy requires extensive work in Abkhazia, as well as work from home.
Main tasks of the consultant:
- To support the Sukhumi Field Office in awareness raising about social work and its potential role in Abkhazia for the improvement of child protection and well-being. This will include meetings and roundtables with members of the inter-ministerial Working Group on Child Well-Being, representatives of Sukhumi and district level de facto authorities, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders.
- To developa contextualized model of social work in Abkhazia, i.e. a contextualized definition of social work in Abkhazia along with a conceptual framework that incorporates the profession’s core mandates (promoting social change, social development, social cohesion and empowerment of people through poverty and vulnerability alleviation) and its main principles, such as the right of vulnerable and marginalized individuals and groups to be assisted and supported in overcoming barriers to inclusion in society; the right of children and vulnerable adults to be protected from neglect, abuse or exploitation; transparency and fairness in professional decision-making and in the application of organization’s eligibility criteria for access to services; and respect for diversity and the promotion of social justice.
This conceptual framework should also include strong linkages with sectors such as health, education and justice, as well as budgeting and costs of services.
- Subsequently, to define the basic roles and responsibilities of social workers. These roles and responsibilities should include, but not be limited to identifying and supporting children affected by abuse, exploitation, and neglect, case management and referral to and coordination of a range of services.
- To develop a curriculum for both pre-service and in-service education and training. This curriculum should, as a first step towards the implementation of a social work framework, aim at providing foundational knowledge for social workers. The curriculum should therefore incorporate both local knowledge and approaches as well as international best practices for improving the well-being of children and families. Finally this curriculum should aim at ensuring minimum standards of practice, through anAbkhazia-wide recognized and certified training programme.
Tasks / Timeframe / Amount of working days / Deliverables
- To support the Sukhumi Field Office in awareness raising about social work and its potential role in Abkhazia for the improvement of child protection and well-being. This will include meetings and roundtables with members of the inter-ministerial Working Group on Child Well-Being, representatives of Sukhumi and district level de facto authorities, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders.
Improved understanding of social work and its importance to improve child protection and well-being in Abkhazia among members of the inter-ministerial Working Group, Sukhumi and district level de facto authorities, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders.
To develop a contextualized definition of social work in Abkhazia along with a conceptual framework that incorporates the profession core mandates (promoting social change, social development, social cohesion and empowerment of people through poverty and vulnerability alleviation) and main principles such as the right of vulnerable and marginalized individuals and groups to be assisted and supported in overcoming barriers to inclusion in society; the right of children and vulnerable adults to be protected from neglect, abuse or exploitation; transparency and fairness in professional decision-making and in the application of organization’s eligibility criteria for access to services; and respect for diversity and the promotion of social justice.
This conceptual framework should also include strong linkages with sectors such as health, education and justice, as well as budgeting and costs of services. / By 28 February 2016 / 30 / Deliverable 2:
Contextualized Model, i.e. definition and conceptual framework for social work practice in Abkhazia
Subsequently, to define the basic roles and responsibilities of social workers. These roles and responsibilities should include, but not be limited to identifying and supporting children affected by abuse, exploitation, and neglect, case management and referral to and coordination of a range of services / By 28 February 2016 / 20 / Deliverable 3:
Definition of basic roles and responsibilities of social workers in Abkhazia
To develop curriculum for both pre-service and in-service education and training. This curriculum should, as a first step towards the implementation of a social work framework, aim at providing foundational knowledge for social workers. This curriculum should therefore incorporate both local knowledge and approaches as well as international best practices for improving the well-being of children and families. Finally this curriculum should aim at ensuring a minimum standard of practice, through a “nationally” recognized and certified training programme. / By 30 April 2016 / 20 / Deliverable 4:
Curriculum for both pre-service and in-service education and training for social workers is developed
Qualifications/experience required
- Advanced university degree in social or political sciences or related technical field;
- At least 5 years’ experience working in the field of child care/social protection;
- Deep understand of child care/protection system and services;
- Exceptional communication and networking skills;
- Fluency in English; excellent writing and presentation skills;
- Fluency in Russian will be an asset;
Remuneration
Applicants are required to submit a financial proposal for the requested services. The remuneration will be negotiated between the selected consultant and UNICEF Georgia on the basis of the consultant’s proposal and will bepaid in several installments against delivered services throughout the contract period and as agreed between UNICEF and the consultant.
Performance indicators
Consultant’s performance will be evaluated against the following criteria: timeliness, responsibility, initiative and quality of the products delivered.
Supervision arrangement
The selected consultant will work under the supervision of the Chief of Sukhumi Field Office and in close cooperation with the international Child Protection Specialist (Tbilisi), the Child Protection and Social Welfare Specialist (Tbilisi) and the Child Protection and Well-Being Assistant (Sukhumi).
Unsatisfactory performance
In case of unsatisfactory performance the contract will be terminated by a notification letter sent 15days prior to the termination date.
Copyright
The products developed under the contract shall be the property of UNICEF.
Requested Information
Interested applicants are kindly requested to submit: a cover letter, CV, P11 form, a financial proposal with explanatory note to UNICEF by e-mail:
For the further information/inquiry you may contact Gottfried Hanne () and cc. Jaba Nachkebia ().
Application deadline: COB October 26, 2015.