Expert on the analysis of the professional training system for social sector workers (M/W)

Описание

1)     General objective

       The objective of the expert's work is to conduct an analysis of Ukraine’s experience in professional training of social sector workers, particularly in social work with families raising children with disabilities, and to develop recommendations for updating qualification profiles, professional standards, and competency frameworks in view of the child protection system reform.

       Special attention will be paid to the alignment of national approaches with modern international standards, including the Disability Inclusive Child Protection Competency Framework (DICP Competency Framework), and to ensuring the integration of competencies necessary for implementing the better care reform and building a sustainable professional development system for social sector professionals. The expected positive impact includes improved quality of social services, enhanced professional capacity of specialists, and the creation of an effective and sensitive support system for families raising children with disabilities.

2)     Specific objectives

1.     Analyse the current system of professional training for social sector workers in Ukraine, particularly in social work with families raising children with disabilities:

a.     Assess existing qualification characteristics, professional standards, training programmes, and competency frameworks;

b.     Identify gaps and misalignments with the current needs of the child protection system.

2.     Assess the alignment of Ukraine’s approaches to professional training of social sector workers with international standards, specifically:

a.     Conduct a comparative analysis with the Disability Inclusive Child Protection Competency Framework (DICP Competency Framework) and other relevant frameworks;

b.     Identify critical competencies required for effective social work with children with disabilities and their families, including for social workers who accompany families raising a child with a disability.

3.     Conduct an expert assessment of the universal competency frameworks used in Ukraine to determine their relevance, completeness, and alignment with the goals of the child protection system reform and the better care approach.

4.     Prepare recommendations for updating and harmonising:

a.     Qualification characteristics and professional standards for social sector workers;

b.     Content of professional training programmes;

c.      Competency frameworks focusing on the inclusive approach to child protection;

5.     Prepare a recommended competency profile for social workers (based on Ukrainian analysis and French experience).

6.     Provide proposals for the Concept for Professional Development of Social Sector Workers that:

a.     Consider the needs of the reform;

b.     Emphasise the protection of the rights of children with disabilities;

c.      Take into account the experience of the French model of social worker training;

d.     Promote the integration of international standards into national practice.

7.     Prepare an analytical report with methodological recommendations for the development of policies and institutional decisions in the area of improving qualifications of professionals and enhancing the support system for families with children with disabilities in Ukraine.

3)     Anticipated results

1.     An analytical report on the current professional training system for social sector workers in Ukraine, particularly in social work with families raising children with disabilities, identifying key gaps and challenges in the context of the child protection system's current needs;

2.     A comparative analysis of Ukrainian competency frameworks, professional standards, and training programmes with international approaches, especially the Disability Inclusive Child Protection Competency Framework (DICP Framework), with conclusions on alignment and directions for adaptation;

3.     An assessment of the relevance of the universal competency frameworks used in Ukraine, with concrete proposals for updating them in line with the requirements of the better care reform and current child protection practices;

4.     A set of recommendations for updating qualification characteristics and professional standards; improving the content of training programmes; and adapting competency frameworks to the inclusive approach in social work;

5.     Recommendations for inclusion in the draft Concept for Professional Development of Social Sector Workers, reflecting the results of the analysis, aligned with international standards, and addressing professionals’ needs in the context of child protection reform in Ukraine.

On November 26, 2024, by Resolution No. 1201-р, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the Strategy for Ensuring the Right of Every Child in Ukraine to Grow Up in a Family Environment for 2024–2028 (hereinafter – the Strategy) and the operational action plan for its implementation for 2024–2026. The Strategy defines ensuring the right of every child in Ukraine to grow up in a family environment as a key task of state policy, which is crucial for preserving and developing Ukraine's human capital and achieving membership in the European Union. It envisages the reform of the child care and support system to ensure the best interests of the child.

Every year, thousands of children are placed in institutions providing institutional care and upbringing. Among the factors that lead to the placement of children in such institutions is a shortage of social workers and social work specialists at the level of territorial communities, which results in the identification of difficult life circumstances in families with children only at the stage of serious crisis or emergency. There is also a low level of accessibility to social services for families with children, especially in rural areas. A similar situation exists with the shortage of specialists in child services (according to the State Service of Ukraine for Children’s Affairs, the shortage is around 25%). Moreover, a challenge is the insufficient level of professional training of child protection workers, which impedes their readiness to ensure the right of every child to be raised in a safe and development-friendly family environment, specifically in creating systems to support children and families with children, reintegrate children into their families, and develop family-based forms of upbringing.

Without competent and well-resourced personnel, it is impossible to fully protect children and provide them and their families with the necessary quality services that prevent separation and promote “safe and caring family care in an atmosphere of happiness, love, and understanding” (Preamble to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child).

With the aim of strengthening the capacity of families to provide care and upbringing, including alternative care, preventing child-parent separation and, as a result, further institutionalisation, competent state authorities together with partner organisations must develop practical solutions for building a high-quality system of child protection and rights assurance by planning and strengthening human resources, and implementing unified and effective approaches to ensuring a high level of professional competence and motivation among child protection service workers and those conducting social work and providing social services to children and families.

Given the above and with the goal of consolidating the efforts of stakeholders responsible for implementing the Strategy, including international partners in the area of ensuring and protecting children's rights, it is deemed appropriate to initiate the process of developing a unified system of continuous professional training and support for social sector workers, with a primary focus on social service providers, social work specialists, specialists in the structural units of social protection departments responsible for organising social services for families with children, and employees of agencies implementing social policy regarding children, particularly child protection services (hereinafter – social sector workers). To this end, the Coordination Center will engage an expert with the National Social Service of Ukraine to analyse the professional training system for social sector workers (hereinafter – the Expert), who will provide expert support in analysing Ukraine’s experience in professional training of social sector workers, particularly in social work with families raising children with disabilities, and will develop recommendations to be included in the Concept for Professional Development of Social Sector Workers (hereinafter – the Concept).

1)     Number of experts per assignment: 1

2)     Profile of the designated expert(s) responsible for contract execution

A.     Qualifications and skills:

-       Master’s degree in public administration, social work, law, political science, sociology, pedagogy, or other relevant specialties.

Excellent qualities/capacities in:

·       Analytical thinking, strategic vision, ability to make sound management decisions;

·       Strong communication skills, responsibility, ability to work effectively in a team and independently plan activities;

·       Ability to work under multitasking conditions and tight deadlines.

B.     General professional experience

At least 5 years, including at least 3 years in public service, local self-government, international organisations, or technical assistance projects in the fields of public policy, social protection, accessibility and inclusion, strategic planning, or programme/project management.

Experience in assessing the needs of vulnerable groups, particularly families raising children with disabilities.

C.     Specific professional experience

-       In-depth knowledge of the Ukrainian model, including understanding of the legal framework in social policy, professional training systems, provision of social services to families raising children with disabilities, and knowledge of international standards and best practices in the field;

-       Practical experience in developing strategic and methodological documents, including concepts, guidelines, action plans, competency frameworks, training programmes, etc.;

-       Knowledge of accreditation and certification procedures, development and evaluation of training programmes is an advantage;

-       Fluency in Ukrainian (oral and written); desirable – proficiency in English at a level sufficient for drafting working documents and communicating with international partner.