- Background The need to increase the social work capacity in the Kurdistan region was initially discussed in 2007 by the Salahaddin University-Hawler (SUH) with UNICEF and several consultations with stakeholders took place in 2007 and 2008 to assess needs and strategy. The Ministry of Higher Education of the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Presidency of Salahaddin University, agreed to a twofold project to be implemented by the Ersta Skhondal University College (ESUC) of Sweden: a) the design of a University degree program on social work for undergraduate and postgraduate based on the Swedish model and adapted to Iraq and b) a training program aiming at upgrading the capacities of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs’ (MoLSA) current staff using the Swedish experience adapted to the Iraqi social needs.
This initiative led to the establishment of a three years degree training within the SUH Department of Social Work Education to introduce European academic standards when it comes to the credit system, syllabus structure and format, grading and examinations. The programme was operated from October 2009 by the newly established Department of Social Work Education with a first batch of approximately 30 students. At the same time, under the MoLSA-ESUC Capacity Building Program for Social Workers whose overall objective was to improve the capacity of social services to respond to the needs of vulnerable groups, the capacity of 83 MoLSA social workers was upgraded through a six months training.
According to the initial agreement reached between the two universities, ESUC professors were to; Develop curricula for undergraduate and postgraduate education Establish a professional training program in social work for staff of MoLSA Develop teachers’ training program and prepare local lecturers to take over teaching and training responsibilities Design research projects aiming at solving social problems in the Kurdistan Region and develop a corpus for policy development.
The agreement was nullified due to disagreements over financial resources and management in 2012.
As of June 2012, 29 students are at the fourth class, 17 at the third, 63 at the second, 12 at the first class. Only students in their fourth years were directly trained by the ESUC for a year while the classes for others were carried out by national teachers. The first 29 students graduated at the end of June 2012 and will be recruited either by governmental institutions or in private sector.
- Purpose of the assessment The overall aim of the consultancy is to support the University of Salahaddin to enhance the capacity building of social workers by reviewing the development and implementation of the Social Work Education Degree delivered by the Social Work Education Department and by developing a strategy to further build the capacity of the Department to train new students as well as to contribute to continuous development of professionals already operating in the public and private sectors.
- Objective Under the guidance of the Head of the Social Work Department of the Salahaddin University -Hawler and the technical guidance of UNICEF, the Consultant will contribute to building Iraq’s national capacity in conducting training of social workers in line with international recognized professional standards.
The specific objectives of the assignment are as follow: • Assess the existing Social Work Education Degree delivered by the SUH, its strengths, weaknesses and gaps and make recommendation on necessary changes and improvements • Provide guidance and advise on further curriculum development, including on adjustments to be made on the pedagogic methodology and on training modules; • Advise on the training needs of national teachers and on the appropriate mechanisms to meet them, including exchanges of experience; • Provide recommendations on the deployment of students during the training period and after graduation in consultation with concerned ministries, private and civil society actors; • Identify additional needs in the area of Social Work and design a clear action plan for building the technical capacity of the Department to address these; • Advice on financial commitment required from the Kurdish Regional Government to ensure sustainability of the Social Work Education Degree programme.
- Justification Professional capacities in the area of social work is clearly lacking in Iraq. For the time being, adequately trained social workers are required by governmental bodies, such as the Ministries of Labor and Social Affairs, Justice, Interior, Education, Health as well as by civil society organizations involved in the social, humanitarian and development sectors.
The set-up of the Social Workers Degree by the University of Salahaddin -Hawler in Erbil was the first initiative in Iraq to train professional social workers. While the collaboration with the Ersta Skhondal University College (ESUC) had to be interrupted, both SUH leadership and UNICEF felt it was important to assess the current implementation of the existing Degree as well as the technical support provided. This assessment will inform the need for further external expertise and will inform how best the Department of Social Work Education can carry out the existing training curriculum and develop additional capacity building mechanisms for professionals already employed as social workers.
This assessment will be supported by UNICEF Iraq in line with the GoI / UNICEF Child Protection Annual Work-plan 2012. The University of Salahaddin- Hawler will support the logistic arrangements for the consultant’s transport and accommodation while in Iraq.
- Main duties, responsibilities and deliverables The Consultant will carry out the following tasks:
TASKS OUTPUTS TIMELINE Development of a two month work plan highlighting methodology, schedule and expected outputs Submit weekly update and detailed plans Two month detailed work plan One page weekly update and planned schedule for the week to come
Week 1
Week 1
Weekly Assessment of the level of knowledge of students at the different levels Quantitative and qualitative analysis made out of a sample of students at each level - Note Week 2, 3 Assessment of the strengths, weaknesses and gaps of the technical capacity of the national teachers’ team Quantitative and qualitative analysis made of the national teaching force at the department of Social work Week 4, 5 Assessment of the current capacity of social workers working in governmental and non-governmental organizations and identification of training needs, including on the job training requirements Quantitative and qualitative analysis made out of a sample of social workers working with various governmental and non-governmental counterparts – Note Week 6 – 10 1. Assess on the job training requirements for personnel working as social workers in partner ministries and advise on specific training methodology to be developed and supported by the MoHE Quantitative and qualitative analysis made out of a sample of social workers working with various governmental and non-governmental counterparts – Note Week 6-10 Assessment of existing mechanisms for the deployment of students during the training period and for their employment after graduation in governmental offices Recommendations for the appropriate job placement / student deployment, in consultation with concerned ministries - Note Week 6-10 Review financial commitment required from the Kurdish Regional Government to ensure sustainability of the Degree programme and additional training modules to be proposed Outcomes of consultations with stakeholders (incl. MoHE, SUH, Prime Minister, MoLSA, Ministry of Finance, Parliament) and recommendations - Note Week 11 2. Validation of assessment’s findings in a workshop 3. Overall assessment and recommendations Workshop facilitated and outcomes documented Final report Week 12
The final report will provide all information gathered during the Consultancy period and respond to the specific objectives highlighted under point 3. The report will be inclusive of a proposed multi-year work plan to put in place a sustainable mechanism to establish a professional social work force in the region of Kurdistan. This work plan will highlight the requirements to meet the needs of new students and of existing personnel currently involved in social work practices. The report will also include a proposed training plan for the SUH current work force. Among others, the outcomes of meetings held with interlocutors will be provided in Annex.
- Methodology The Consultant will work under the daily supervision and guidance of the Head of the Department of Social Work Education, with the technical support of UNICEF Chief Child Protection, Child Protection Officer and Chief of Field office, North. The Consultant will work in close collaboration with partners from the Salahaddin University-Hawler, in particular those of the Social Work Education Department, MoLSA and other ministerial and non-governmental partners who would benefit from an enhanced social work capacity in the region.
The Consultant will develop a three month work plan as well as weekly working schedule to be reviewed by Salahaddin University-Hawler and UNICEF for guidance and inputs. The SUH will ensure that one person fluent in English, Arabic and Kurdish is assisting the Consultant throughout the Consultancy period. The SUH will introduce the Consultant to local interlocutors and facilitate meetings, including by providing necessary translation and supporting logistic requirements.
- Expected Deliverables
- Three month detailed work plan for the duration of the consultancy
- One page weekly update and planned schedule for the week to come
- Report on existing capacity of teachers and students with clear recommendations on measures required to ensure the teaching and learning meets international standards
- Report on in-service training needs, on the job training requirements of social workers working with Government and other sectors and recommendations on specific training methodology to meet the needs
- Report on existing mechanisms for student placement for practical during training and recommendations for employment after graduation.
- Workshop to present preliminary results of the assessment/review on the SWE to UNICEF/SUH to share and validate the recommendations of the report
- Consolidated final report on the review/assessment according to an agreed upon format ;
All expected deliverables will be submitted to SUH and to UNICEF in electronic formats during the course of the assignment and in hard and soft copies at the end of the consultancy.
- DURATION OF THE ASSESSMENT Twelve (12) weeks
SUPERVISOR Mr. Hewa H. Deloye, Department Head of Social Work, University of Salahaddin-Hawler, All deliverables will in addition be technically cleared by UNICEF, Chief Child Protection.
- NATURE OF THE ASSESSMENT The Consultant will be based within the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific research.
- SUGGESTED LEVEL FOR THIS ASSESSMENT L-4/5
- QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES This consultancy requires extensive experience in functioning social work institutions in countries where social work has been given priority, or in countries where such capacity building has been initiated.
- Minimum 10 years of professional experience in the field of social work, preferably with an initial experience as social worker.
- Good knowledge of social work management and training
- Expertise in curriculum development and training design
- Prior experience in conducting capacity building assessment/ training review
- Experience in conducting participatory workshops/training and discussions.
Competencies: • Ability to make timely and quality judgments and decisions. • Analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills. • Commitment to continuous learning for professional development. • Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications. • Strong skills in networking and communication. • Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, • Initiative, passion and commitment to child protection’s mission and social work values.
- PROPOSED PAYMENT SCHEDULE The payments will be made monthly upon achievement of deliverables as per the schedule on pages 2-3 and submission of a progress report. 30 % will be paid at the beginning, with the final payment at the end of the assignment after completion and approval of final report
- WORKING CONDITIONS The Consultant will be based in Erbil, Kurdistan Region, with travels to Dohuk and Suleimaniyah Governorates.
Languages: Fluency in English and Arabic. Knowledge of Kurdish would be an asset.
