You are here

NGO role in workforce strengthening

4 posts / 0 new
Last post
Jim McCaffery
Jim McCaffery's picture
NGO role in workforce strengthening

What is the most appropriate and impactful role for NGOs to play in the area of social service workforce strengthening?  For example, are they gap fillers providing key services in areas that are in need and under-resourced, assuming that goverment should play the main role supporting longer term sustainable workforce development?  Or...?

Nathan Linsk
Nathan Linsk's picture

NGOs need to be seen as key partners in social service workforce as well as in the strengthening efforts.  Their role depends on the kind of NGO (national, local or international) and of course the mission of the NGO as well as the status of the social service workforce within the policy and program context.  While they may fill gaps as needed, this should occur in partnership with government systems, when systems are in place.  They may model service approaches or serve as a catalyst for social service system development or reform.  International NGOs also may serve as donors or program partners.  However to my mind services and programs put in place without assurance of long term sustainability if successful often do harm in the long run, though they may provide vital services for a time. 

Patrick Onyango...
Patrick Onyango Mangen's picture

first of all pursuing SSW strengthening within the realm of an NGO project cycle is not sustainable. Project frameworks are often too short and narrow in focus. Besides it is the responsibility of governments to skill its workforce either directly or through policies and education programs that allow this to happen.

Paul Marsden
Paul Marsden's picture

Howzit Jim?... Greetings from Pretoria and hope all is well.NGOs are critical partners for delivering social and community development services... even more so given their presence and reach within communities (often underserved) where quite often there is no public sector service point, provider or facility. The extent and strength of this partnership needs to be well managed though, in line with the prevailing legislative and service delivery frameworks, norms, standards & systems within each country; but also a partnership that is built on trust and is beneficial to society, rather than on regulation and enforcement. This therefore requires specific attention be given to developing appropriate service level agreements, with means and measures to ensure accountability, sustainability and VFM/reach. For example, outsourced foster care, youth-friendly services, community development activity, etc. as determined by priority & demand (and critical gaps in public sector supply and/or 'ability' to meet these)