Resume

Foster Care Case Management

Location:

Harare, Zimbabwe

Salary:

65000 +

Posted:

March 07, 2024

Contact this candidate

Resume:

CURRICULUM VITAE

PAMHIDZAYI BEREJENA MHONGERA

** ********** ****, *******, ******, Zimbabwe. Phone +263-***-****** or+263*********

Email: ad36dd@r.postjobfree.com

SKYPE: Mhongera. Pamhidzayi

Gender: Female

ID Number: 63-910239A05

PERSONAL PROFILE

Social development practitioner and researcher with experience of working across sectors in Zimbabwe, South Africa, USA and the UK, managing and coordinating the delivery of humanitarian and development projects/programmes. Implemented microfinance, social cash transfers, education, gender empowerment, child protection, positive youth development (school mentorship programmes), staff wellness and prison programs mainstreaming gender, age, disability, and poverty. Conducted interdisciplinary research projects on resilience building among young people at risk and families in diversity, sustainable livelihoods, access to education, youth transitions, child-centered play therapy, student-teacher relationships, foster care advocacy, adolescent girls’ agency and healing programs for prisoners, prison staff and young people with incarcerated parents. Possesses project management, people management and stakeholder relationship management skills. A woman of integrity, result-oriented, flexible, a team player and possesses excellent communication, problem solving, analytical and leadership skills. EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD in Social Work (2012-2015) University of Pretoria, South Africa.

• MSc. in Development and Project Planning (2008-2009) University of Bradford, United Kingdom

• BSc. (Honours) in Sociology, Gender and Development Studies. (2004-2007) Women’s University in Africa PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

• Pastoral Studies: Diploma-Zimbabwe Open University and Domboshava Theological College 2020-2021)

• ISO 9001-2015. Foundation for Quality Management Systems: PECB-Canada (2022)

• Evaluation Design, Institute of Development Studies (University of Sussex, UK, 2014).

• Practical Monitoring and Evaluation of Projects- Executive Certificate (University of Zimbabwe, 2008).

• Community Development and Humanitarian Project Management-Executive Certificate (University of Zimbabwe, 2008).

• Personnel Management: Higher Diploma (Institute of Personnel Management Zimbabwe 2001-2003

• Counselling and Communication Skills (Connect, Zimbabwe, 2003)

• British Council Interaction Leadership Training (2005-2006).

• Dynamics to Successful Management (Success Motivation International, USA, 2007).

• Women’s Leadership and Political Participation-TOT (Women Learning Partnerships (2013). EMPLOYMENT AND WORK HISTORY

Part-time Research Associate: University of Johannesburg, South Africa, Department of Social Work and Community Development (March 2022 to date)

Design, develop and manage inter-disciplinary research projects. Current projects included child-directed healing play and its effectiveness on emotional regulation and student teacher relationships and evaluation studies on foster care advocacy, children with incarcerated mothers and healing programmes for inmates and prison officers. Contributed to a Chapter on Care-leaving in Zimbabwe, publication in progress. Associate Consultant (Part-time): Business Consulting Associates (Pvt Ltd), Harare (2020-2022) Supported businesses to design and implement ISO 9001:2015 standards in line with their quality management systems (QMS). Developed the Quality Standards Communication and Implementation Plan for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Zimbabwe. Conducted social and economic impact assessments on environmental projects. 2

Programmes Manager: Blossoms Children Community, Harare, Zimbabwe (September 2016- March 2022)

Managed the implementation of programmes supporting the positive social integration of Orphans and other Vulnerable Children (OVC) and youth in kinship and residential care systems. Strengthened families in adversity and caregivers in providing care and support to children. Designed and developed a community- based orphan care model fostering increased collaboration with families, community-based organisations and other specialist service providers. Developed and managed permanency support programmes for children and young people transitioning from alternative care. Conducted one on one, online and group mentoring sessions, enrolled and trained mentors, coordinated school mentoring programs and strengthened the capacity of teachers leading school mentoring clubs. Developed an Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) case management system to identify, assess, plan, implement, monitor, evaluate the effective social service delivery at community systems’ level. Secured a research grant for the organisation of US$70,000 to conduct a study on strengthening the educational transition service delivery for orphans and vulnerable children. Postdoctoral Research Fellowship: University of Pretoria, Department of Social Work and Criminology, Pretoria. (Nov 2015 to September August 2016; Part-time Research Associate (June 2017-June, 2020). Designed and developed a research project on adolescent girls’ transitions from care and livelihood outcomes. The second study explored pathways to resilience and sustainable livelihoods among orphans and vulnerable children, refugees and persons living with HIV as well as staff working for a Non-Profit Organisation in South Africa working with UNHCR. Published research findings in scientific journals. Mentored and supported undergraduates and postgraduates in their research projects and conducted individual and groups’ fieldwork assessments.

Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare (August 2013-December 2014): Social Cash Transfer- Technical Advisor

Provided strategic leadership and technical support and coordinated the overall implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the Harmonised Social Cash Transfer Programme (HSCT), a multi-donor funded social protection program targeting food-poor and labour-constrained households in the ten provinces of Zimbabwe. Prepared reports and documentation for dissemination to internal and external stakeholders for programme planning, programming and reviews. Prepared budgets, reconciliations and funding requests to UNICEF (the technical partner). Strengthened the capacity of government staff from district to national level, provided one on one and group mentoring support to the Department of Social Services staff in addressing cross-cutting issues such as gender, disability, age, poverty, HIV and AIDS in cash transfer programming. MicroKing Credit and Savings Company (September 2008- May 2013): Microfinance Projects Manager Managed a multi-donor projects portfolio under the Business Development Unit by linking microfinance services to social developmental projects promoting food security, increase household incomes, improve nutrition and sanitation, increase access to education, increase employment skills for youth, improve agricultural productivity and women empowerment through projects addressing domestic violence, HIV, sexual and reproduction health rights. Developed funding proposals, projects’ plans, monitored and evaluated projects and produced reports. Delivered training on community banking, group formation, leadership and conflict resolution, loan processes and record keeping, mentored and supported project teams and borrowers. Designed new loan products and reviewed existing products, supervised the administration of different loan products ensuring timely disbursements and repayment of loans through value chain management. Enhanced financial prudence among young borrowers through individual and group mentoring sessions, establishing linkages with other business role models and participation in entrepreneurship competitions. The Brooking Institution: Washington DC. United States of America (January 2012- July 2012) Global Scholar: Research Fellowship on girl education. On-going collaborative research as alumnus. Conducted a research study on the coordination of education transitional services for Orphans and Vulnerable Children. Participate in on-going leadership development programmes and collaborative research studies. Recently completed two collaborative studies: A four country study that explored girls’ agency in vulnerable contexts and the other with the University of Zimbabwe which assessed social workers’ intervention in addressing the psychosocial needs of vulnerable girls in public schools. Kingdom Financial Holdings Limited (Jan 1998 – Aug 2008): Compensation & Staff Wellness Manager Established the Salaries Department as a distinct HR function for the financial services group. Developed payroll systems and procedures and managed the administration of financial and non-financial rewards including personal loans, mortgages, allowances, bonuses, pensions, medical aid and share option scheme 3

for the financial services group. Implemented staff wellness programs to staff and families dealing with loss, drug and substance abuse, divorce and provided HIV/AIDS counselling. Performed other HR functions including staff training, recruitment and selection, performance management, job analysis and evaluation. Provided support and advice in change management processes including acquisitions, mergers, de-mergers and retrenchments

OTHER VOLUNTARY AND SOCIAL WORK EXPERIENCE

• Assistant Pastor and Provincial Ladies Ministry Leader (General Council of the Assemblies of God Zimbabwe

• Healing through Forgiveness Course Facilitator: Prison Ministry-River of Life Church Zimbabwe and Trainer of Trainer (The Prison Journey Program, Prison Fellowship International (on-going).

• Project Officer: Internship, in fulfillment of MSc. Course: Working in the Third Sector. Got a distinction on a research project entitled; Volunteer management and motivation conducted at OXFAM Bradford Charity Shop in West Yorkshire, UK (2008-2009).

• Support Worker/Health Assistant: Care and support for vulnerable children, youth and older adults (Greys Nursing Agency, UK (2009)).

• Volunteer Youth Support Worker: Acts of Love International, London. UK (2009-2010). PUBLICATIONS

• 1. Mhongera, Berejena, P. & Lombard, A. 2020. Pathways of resilience for children facing socio-economic adversities: Experiences from Future Families’ OVC programmes in South Africa, Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).

2. Mhongera, Berejena, P. & Lombard, A. 2018. Promoting successful transitions beyond institutional care: A programme-based service delivery model linked to a case management system. Social Work/ Maatsaplike Werk, (54)1: 53-68.

• 3. Mhongera, Berejena, P. & Lombard, A. 2017. Who is there for me? Evaluating stakeholders’ social support for adolescent girls from institutions in Zimbabwe, Practice Social Work in Action, 29 (1), February: 19-35

• 4. Mhongera, Berejena, P 2017. Preparing for successful transitions beyond institutional care in Zimbabwe: Adolescent girls’ perspectives and programme needs. Child Care in Practice, (23) 4: 372-388.

• 5. Mhongera, Berejena, P. 2017. Transition programming to promote sustainable livelihoods beyond institutional care in Zimbabwe: Service providers’ perspectives. Children and Society, (32) 2: 121-132.

• 6. Mhongera, Berejena, P. & Lombard, A. 2016. Poverty to more poverty: An evaluation of transition services provided to adolescent girls from two institutions in Zimbabwe. Children and Youth Services Review, 64c:154- 154.

• 7. Mhongera, Berejena P. 2012. Coordinating education transitional services for adolescent orphan girls: the community systems framework. Working Paper. Center for Universal Education. Brookings Institution, USA

• 8. Mhongera, Berejena. P. 2012. A Patchwork Model Won't Work: A Call for a Holistic Education Approach for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Zimbabwe.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Proficient in: MS Excel; MS Word; MS Power Point; Internet & E-Mail, Globus Banking System, Belina, Payrite and Oracle Payroll systems, PricewaterHouse Compensation system, KIVA Microfinance System, Atlas.Ti and SPSS Statistical Packages.

LANGUAGES

English and Shona: Fluent in reading, writing and speaking, Kiswahili: Basic speaking. REFERENCES

Name Title E-mail and Phone Number

Mr. C. Bakatuseka Mentor/Consultant ad36dd@r.postjobfree.com

+263-*********

Prof. A. Lombard Head of Department, Faculty of

Social Work and Criminology, UP

ad36dd@r.postjobfree.com

+27-832******

Mrs. M. Ruzive Program Officer (Department of

Social Development)

ad36dd@r.postjobfree.com