UN Women is seeking proposals for South Sudan social workforce assessment and capacity development program to encompass universally accredited skills for social work and psychosocial support for women, children and person with disability.
UN Women seeks the services of qualified National Non-Government organisations (NNGOs), Training institutions/Academia, and International Non-Government Organizations (INGOs) to undertake this assignment, in a phased manner. The following activities must be implemented under this assignment:
Phase 1: January – December 2024
Undertake an audit of the social workforce at national and State levels. For instance, review staffing norms and job specifications and establish current levels of social welfare staffing against the need (categorise by institution/location/function). Assess the motivation packages to identify gaps and make strategic recommendations to the national and state level MGCSW. Establish the extent to which workers understand their responsibilities and functions and their perceptions of challenges, opportunities, supervision, and career paths. Clearly document the findings and make recommendations for social service workforce strengthening to be integrated into national strategic frameworks for action.
The audit should focus on critical areas of need, for instance protection units, one-stop centers, hospitals, and orphanages/homes where GBV survivors are kept. The aim is to make sure that all people working in these areas have strong capabilities and are professionally certified to provide special services.
Phase 2: January – December 2024
Develop a national Capacity Building Curriculum for enhancing the capacities of the social workforce and teams at national and state levels.
Develop a costed plan to deliver the capacity building curriculum for a minimum 400 social workers at national and State levels. This should be based on regional and international best practice and be realistic fully cognizant of the budgetary limitations of MGCSW.
Phase 3: January 2025 – June 2026
Deliver training for Social Workforce for the MoGCSW at national and state levels.
Component Outputs
The Successful applicant shall contribute to the following outputs through the listed deliverables.
Output 4.2: Capacities of 400 social workers are strengthened through training and other capacity development processes to enable MCGSW social workforce to provide professional social work services to the people of South Sudan.
Expected Deliverables
Capacities and skills of 400 social workers at National and State level enhanced through trained and accreditation.
A fully costed National Capacity building plan for in-service capacity building of the social workforce at national and State levels.
A capacity building curriculum for social workforce in service training.
Funding Information
UN women, will make available a maximum of USD $ 3 million for this Call.
Time Frame
This activity will commence January 2024 until June 2026. All applicants are expected to reserve the last quarter of the project duration for project closeout activities and a smooth transition of all tools and files to UN Women and the Ministry of gender Child and Social welfare, as appropriate.
Geographical Coverage
The project will be implemented in all 10 states in South Sudan and 2 Administrative areas of Ruweng and Pibor.
Competencies
Technical/functional competencies required
The selection of the Responsible Party will be based on the following criteria:
At least 7 years of experience in conducting social workforce and capacity development for government and non-government social workforce teams. At least 3 years of field experience in Africa and preferably in South Sudan.
At least 7 years of experience in developing workforce capacity y development plans, curriculums and tools for skills enhancement and motivation targeting government in service teams.
At least 7 years proven experience in capacity building for social workforce operating in fragile contexts.
Demonstrated record of achieving results, using innovative and experiential adult learning methodologies. Experience supporting human resource development for sub national government organisations will be of added advantage.
Institutional experience in the field of social welfare services, which are understood as services provided to respond to needs of individuals and families, such as access to health care, social assistance, child assistance, GBV prevention, survivor protection and response.
Key staff have at least 5 years’ relevant experience in institutional and socio workforce capacity building for fragile and humanitarian settings in Africa.
Strong capacity in monitoring programme performance and the agility to quickly adapt to policy/programmatic exigencies is a requirement.
Have presence in South Sudan or active partnerships with a capacity building NGOs/INGOs/Academia institution in South Sudan. Applicants must provide evidence of partnerships and clarity of roles for all parties.
International NGOs/Academia interested to apply must demonstrate on how they will engage and or work with local NGOs/Academia on the project, to strengthen synergies to and make sure that the localization processes are sustained.
Requirements of Project Manager/Team Leader
Education: Degree in Public Administration, Education, Social work, Sociology, Community development, Peace and conflict, social work and Social Administration, or any other relevant field in Humanities Field.
Work Experience: At least 7 years in social workforce development and systems for social protection and response including in fragile contexts.
Knowledge and experience in capacity building methodologies for in service government workers preferably in social services sectors of health, education, justice, social protection, and psychosocial support among others
Knowledge of the roles and functions of Gender Ministries and the roles played by the social workforce as a specialised cadre in active humanitarian and development contexts.
Knowledge of the legal and policy barriers to women, children and other vulnerable persons socio protection and response in South Sudan.
Eligible Programme Proposal
Using the guidance provided, the applicants must provide a concise document describing the organization’s portfolio and experience; examples of projects the organization may have had direct involvement with to replicate and/or avoid in achieving the objectives of this assignment.
CVs of the expert or team of experts highlighting their previous relevant experience. Reports, papers, or websites illustrating the competencies and examples of projects it will draw on.
A proposed ‘all in’ budget and workplan for all tasks and cost drivers, including sub-contractor fees where applicable.
Important Notes
Proposals from INGOs should provide evidence of local partnerships.
In case of a consortium, the lead organization should have more than 7 years’ relevant experience.
Joint proposals from more than one organization must clearly indicate which organization will take lead responsibility for project management and contractual obligations.
UN Women will sign the contracts with and disburse funds to the applicant organization only.
Eligible organizations currently partnering with UN Women may apply under this call for proposals.
