Consultant - Implementation of Social Work Institutionalization at the Center for Clinical Care and Clinical Research (CCCRN)

The Center for Clinical Care and Clinical Research (CCCRN) is a non-profit organization that promotes best practices in healthcare service delivery, medical training, and research using locally adapted models of health systems strengthening. We are committed to achieving sustainable impact in the communities we serve, and our technical project staff play a crucial role in driving quality improvement initiatives across our projects.

Applications are invited for:

Job Title: Consultancy Position for the Implementation of Social Work Institutionalization (Methodology for Adapting, Contextualizing, and Institutionalizing the Auxiliary Social Workforce (ASW) Curriculum on the ICHSSA 1 Project)

Location: Cross River
Employment Type: Full-time

Goal

• The goal ofthe social work certification programme is to ensure that individuals working in the field of social work have the necessary knowledge, skills, and ethical standards to effectively support and empower individuals, families, and communities in need.

Scope

• The scope includes: providing specialized training and skills development tailored to the needs of clients for comprehensive OVC case management and HIV continuum of care, developing skills to enable social workers to effectively address the needs of their clients and communities, helping ensure that social workers uphold ethical principles and adhere to legal requirements in their work, and ensures that social workers can provide culturally sensitive and appropriate services to individuals and communities from diverse backgrounds.

Adapting and Contextualizing the ASW Curriculum:

• Getting ASW Curriculum for adaptation – already, there exists a national ASW Curriculum to be referenced. The Consultant will lead the process of curriculum adaptation.CCCRN will engage with state actors and other ICHSSA partners to headhuntor recruit seasoned consultantswho have done similar work to ensure the selection of a competent person.
• Review of Accreditation Standards: The Consultant will familiarize himself/ herself with the accreditation standards set forth by relevant accrediting bodies. Ensure that the curriculum aligns with these standards to maintain accreditation status.
• Design the curriculum structure, including the sequencing of courses, distribution of credit hours, and integration of field education experiences (internships or practicums). Determine the core content areas and elective options based on the program goals and accreditation requirements and present them to the institution.
• Develop course content and syllabi for each course in the curriculum. Ensure that course content covers essential topics in social work practice, theory, research, policy, ethics, and diversity. Incorporate experiential learning opportunities, case studies, group projects, and guest lectures to enhance student engagement and application of knowledge. Include content on cultural competence, social determinants of health, privilege, oppression, and advocacy for social change.
• Facilitate a TOT for relevant institution department members to enhance their teaching skills, stay current with developments in the field, and integrate innovative pedagogical approaches into the curriculum.

Framework for adaptation of the ASW curriculum:
During reviewing for adaptation, of the ASW Curriculum, the following framework can provide good guidance:

• Appropriateness - are the modules/topic/content relevant and in sequence with emerging public/community health issues? Will they add value? Will they improve professionalism and effectiveness among the Community Case Workers (CCW)?
• Sequence - is the content arranged in a logical manner that promotes learning – with one topic ushering in the next?
• Weighting - are the modules been allocated the right amount of credit load? Is the volume of work adequate for certification? Can it be accommodated within the stipulated timeframe?
• Adequacy - can the current modules be considered sufficient for certification, or should more modules be added? Are there modules that should be removed?
• Local Context - is the content in line with the cultural orientations of host communities? Are proposed practices, learnings, and strategies in line with prevailing norms?

Institutionalizing the ASW Curriculum:

• Identification of institution of higher learning to run the curriculum – a university or polytechnic that offers social work or similar courses will be selected to offer the Auxiliary Social Work course at the certificate level, using the adapted and contextualized curriculum.
• The process of identifying institutions of higher learning that will run the certificate course should commence immediately as members of the academia from the identified institutions would be part of the adaptation and contextualization of the ASW Curriculum.
• Work with critical stakeholders to get their buy-in especially the State Ministry responsible for coordinating OVC response in the state and other stakeholders such as the State Ministry of Education, the Association of Social Workers at the state level, relevant committees at the State Assembly, e.t.c. 
• Sensitization visit/s to the identified institution – this visit will be led by the consultant. This planned visit targets the management of the institution (HOD, Faculty Dean, Head of Administration, and School Academic Secretary among others). Presentations would be made about the proposed ASW course – highlighting needs and benefits. This is to secure buy-in.
• Drafting of MoA with identified institutions of higher learning- MoA will cover considerations from both parties (the institution and implementing partner). CCCRN could consider including the following:
  • Payment of scholarships for an agreed number of pioneer students.
  • Providing teaching/learning aids as agreed with the institution.
  • Setting recruitment criteria in partnership with Institution.
  • Recruit pioneer students using set criteria.
• Sensitization visit/s to the identified government bodies and committees- this visit will be led by the consultant. This planned visit targets primarily the Ministry of Women Affairs, and any other identified MDA/committee (Honourable Commissioner, Perm. Secretary, Directors Social Welfare, Administration, Legal, etc) and other stakeholders where necessary. Presentations would be made about the proposed ASW course – highlighting needs and benefits. This is to secure buy-in.
• Develop Learning Resources (Facilitators Guide, Participants Manual, and PowerPoint Presentations)- a consultant will be engaged by CCCRN to develop the learning resources for the training in the identified institution.
• Conduct TOT training for institution faculty members to run the curriculum- resource persons will lead the training of trainers for the identified institution lecturers using the developed learning resources. The TOT will equip the lecturers on the course outlines, the duration for each outline, and the expected knowledge impact.
• Recruitment of pioneer students for the ASW certificate course – CCCRN will work with community-based structures and government (for sustainability) to recruit a specified number of beneficiaries (currently engaged community case workers on the project) for the program using clearly defined selection criteria.
• Delivering on MoA obligation – CCCRN will sign and MoA and ensure her obligations in theMoA are met and willencourage the partnering institutionto deliver on set expectations.The commencement date of the course will be agreed upon between CCCRN and the Institution and communicated to the selected beneficiaries.
• Flag-off – CCCRN will work with stakeholders to choose a date for the flag-off of the course, announcing the official commencement of the program. This ceremony is to publicize the course to the public for others who could be interested in running the course.

Framework for Adaption/Review of the ASW Curriculum

Requirements

• Qualified individuals for the role of a Consultant to support the institutionalization of social work in Cross River State.
• Interested candidates are invited to submit a formal written application, along with their curriculum vitae (CV) and documented evidence (e.g consultancy letter, summary of work done, etc) showcasing their experience in successfully executing comparable job in the past.
• Applicants should demonstrate a proven track record in similar roles and possess the necessary expertise to contribute effectively to the successful implementation of social work institutionalization initiatives.
• The location of the consultancy is Cross River. However, the Candidate must not be resident in the state. But CCCRN will only pay transportation fee (road), Accommodation and perdiem based on CCCRN rate as well as the Consultancy fee to be agreed upon.

Application Closing Date
7th March, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: Interested candidates are encouraged to click on the link above, complete the form and submit their CV / Resume and Cover Letter form.