Consultant(s) for Developing a Conceptual Framework for Social Work Practice in
Abkhazia, Georgia and a Training Programme for Social Workers
Background
Abkhazia, Georgia 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,
Georgia 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, Georgia
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, Georgia.
Over the last years, UNICEF and its partners have been working with local communities in
Abkhazia, Georgia 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 wellbeing in Abkhazia, Georgia.
Purpose of the consultancy
UNICEF seeks to engage one or several international consultants 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, Georgia – the development of a
regional conceptual framework for social work practice in Abkhazia Georgia , as well as the
development of a training programme for social workers. The consultancy requires extensive
work in Abkhazia, Georgia, as well as work from home.
Interested experts can apply individually or as a team of consultants for the whole
consultancy or for specific tasks (see below) under this consultancy.
Main tasks of the consultant(s):

To support the Sukhumi Field Office in awareness raising about social work and its potential
role in Abkhazia Georgia 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 develop a contextualized model of social work in Abkhazia Georgia , i.e. a contextualized
definition of social work in Abkhazia Georgia 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 an Abkhazia, Georgia -wide recognized and
certified training programme.
Tasks

Timeframe
1. To support the Sukhumi Field February
Office in awareness raising about July 2016
social work and its potential role in
Abkhazia
Georgia
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.
Amount of Deliverables
working
days
–
10
Deliverable 1:
Improved
understanding
of
social work and its
importance
to
improve
child
protection and wellbeing in Abkhazia,
Georgia
among
members of the
inter-ministerial
Working
Group,
Sukhumi and district
level
de
facto
authorities,
NGOs
2. To develop a contextualized
definition of social work in Abkhazia
Georgia 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 decisionmaking 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.
3. 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
4. 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
and other relevant
stakeholders.
Deliverable 2:
Contextualized
Model, i.e. definition
and
conceptual
framework for social
work practice in
Abkhazia Georgia
By 15 April
2016
30
By 15 May
2016
20
Deliverable 3:
Definition of basic
roles
and
responsibilities
of
social workers in
Abkhazia Georgia
By 30 June
2016
20
Deliverable 4:
Curriculum for both
pre-service and inservice
education
and training for social
workers is developed
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.
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(s) and UNICEF Georgia on
the basis of the consultant’s/consultants’ proposal and will be paid in several installments
against delivered services throughout the contract period and as agreed between UNICEF and
the consultant(s).

Location
Home based with frequent travel to Abkhazia, Georgia.
Performance indicators
Consultant’s/Consultants’ performance will be evaluated against the following criteria:
timeliness, responsibility, initiative and quality of the products delivered.
Supervision arrangement
The selected consultant(s) 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 15
days 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: hrtbilisi@unicef.org
For further information/inquiry you may contact Pierre Ferry (pferry@unicef.org) and cc. Jaba
Nachkebia (jnachkebia@unicef.org).
Application deadline: COB 29 January 2016.