community workers competencies and learning needs

Zahedul Islam

International HIV/AIDS Alliance in Ukraine

Definingcommunity workers competencies

and learning needs

45Th Union World Conference on Lung Health

28 October – 1 November 2014

1. Role of NGO’s in response to TB epidemics

2. Define competencies > Operational Research > Semi-structured interview

3. Learning needs.> Local level > International level

4. Action plan. Take home message.

Presentation Overview

1. Role of NGO’s in response to TB epidemics

Screening for early detection of TB;

Develop adequate referral system for patients;

Create awareness with medical staff to reduce stigma;

Motivate clients to improve the examination and treatment;

Psychosocial support to clients through case managers;

The role of NGO in response to TB epidemics

- Successful experience of working with risk groups of different categories (HIV for MARPs);

- Developed relationships with medical facilities (confirmed with the agreements on cooperation);

Principles of selecting NGOs for the TB activities

- Appropriate education (eg, social work);

- Participation in trainings evidenced by certificates : => on working with risk groups;=> on early detection of TB;=> counseling "peer to peer"

- Experience in working with risk groups (risk groups with limited access to health services)

- Developed communicatione skills

Principles of selection social workers for the TB

In 2013 Alliance Ukraine, introduced services for the early detection of tuberculosis as a pilot among risk groups in the HIV "harm reduction" program.

36 NGOs were included to implement the pilot

Next step - the involvement of all NGOs working with the Alliance in implementation of TB activity (early diagnostic TB).

Engaging CS’s in TB Activity

2. Define competencies> Operational Research

> Semi-structured interview

Possible ways to define competencies

INTERVIEWSSEMI-STRUCTURED AND

STRUCTURED INTERVIEWS

ASSESMENTOPERATION RESERCH

ASSESMENT

OPERATION RESERCH Purpose of operational research: to develop capacity of NGOs working in Ukraine for their active participation in fighting TB/MDR-TB in the country and support National TB Program to further elimination of TB.

Objective of operational research: 1. To identify and evaluate basic qualitative and quantitative indicators for analysis of NGO capacity in response to the TB epidemic in Ukraine 2. To identify key barriers that impede NGOs providing TB services to their clients3. To identify destinations for capacity building of NGOs

S T A G E SASSESMENT _OPERATION RESEARCH

1. Preparatory

Goal and objective setting

Data collection method selection (inquiry forms, questionnaires, semi-structured and structured interviews).

Preparation of research protocol, data collection tools.

Interviewer/research staff training

2. Implementation stage:

Field work – interviews, surveysData collection Preparation a technical report

3. Final:

Desk study – data processing and analysis.

Preparation of analytical report with conclusions and recommendations

ASSESMENT _OPERATION RESEARCH

ASSESMENT _OPERATION RESEARCH

Key questions asked: To identify key facilitators and barriers for NGO’s to participate in

TB activities in Ukraine

To identify existing capacity and gaps for efficient and quality implementation of the TB activities including risks, difficulties and barriers using the example of each specific NGO? What is available and what is lacking in NGO for a stable development?

What are the key components of the strategy within NGO’s need capacity building?

ASSESMENT _OPERATION RESEARCH

Analysis is based on essential indices of efficiencyand quality of NGO capacity:

Organizational capacity: structure and composition, functioning characteristics; development; goal content; monitoring

Resource capacity: material resources and finances; human resources; level of staff training/professional competence;

Program capacity: organization operation directions; services; orientation to risk groups of different categories (MARPs)

Additionally: support of donors; state assistance; loyalty and commitment of cooperating specialized state institutions; NGO experience in implementation of TB epidemic prevention projects.

Results

Quantitative data of the technical report:

5 NGOs were used for clients interviews200 clients (40 at each NGO)NGOs managers (involving from 3 to 5 various specialists -social workers, medical personnel, etc.)

3 regional coordinators

3 experts of national level

ASSESMENT _OPERATION RESEARCH _ Results

Profile of respondents (NGOs clients):

Distribution by sex:men – 150 (75%) / women– 50 (25 %).

Mean age was: 36-44 years.

Duration of services receiving in NGOs:86% respondents - more than 1 year, 43,5 % - over 3 years

Of the total number of respondents - suffered from TB: 99 people (49,5 %), including21 (21,2%) with active TB, 76 (76,8%) with latent TB.

ASSESMENT _OPERATION RESEARCH _ Results

Components of the NGO basic strategy in response to TB epidemic:

Readiness to make decisions;

Availability of strategic decisions in the organization management;

Assessment of possible options of the following organizational steps in future;

Competitive abilities of the organization on the service market

In depth data analysis is being conducted.

ASSESMENT _OPERATION RESEARCH _ Results

-

Neхt steps:

1. Upon the results – define/identify gaps and area of support

2. Capacity-building assistance.

Technical support:help to establish a relationship with the clinics;- Provide trainings;- assist in obtaining external funding/grants etc.

3. Action plan: preparation, monitoring.

ASSESMENT OPERATION RESEARCH

INTERVIEWSsemi-structured and structured interviews

Stages:

1. Preparation of data collection tool

2. Data collection and analysis.

Upon the results – define identify gaps and area of support

Provide training support (training and preparation of action plan).

Action plan monitoring.

INTERVIEWSSEMI-STRUCTURED AND

STRUCTURED INTERVIEWS

ASSESMENTOPERATION RESERCH

+ efficiency, possibility of gaining much information through remote access, at a low price- subjectiveness of information recieved

+ field work: possibility of information verification from various sources, deeper understanding of capacity and needs

- expensive, lengthy duration

3. Learning needs.> Local level

> International level

COMPETENCIES AND TRAINING NEEDS EVALUATION

Local level 1/ Preparing the questionnaire

It is being prepared to help you analyze the level of skills and knowledge, and based on this create the training lists according to the requests: The questionnaire may include the following questions:

- name of the organization, position, work period,- job responsibilities, - list of trainings which person is attended in the last 2 years,- planned new directions or expansion of the existing ones, - list of skills and knowledge used in the work,- list of new knowledge and skills to be obtained or improved. - justification for participation in training, its importance.

2/ Formulate the list of competences:

Based on questionnaire analysis results we formulate the list of quite well developed competences (to further involve the employee to the interventions in which he/she is competent) and the competences to be improved / developed.

Examples:

A) need is to obtain additional knowledge on early TB detection, goal is to use obtained knowledge for the development of a new activity

B) need is training for advocacy skills; the goal is to represent the risk groups problems before the state authorities.

International level

1. Determining the area of coverage: countries/regions?

Example: EECA countries (Eastern Europe and Central Asia)

The only common characteristics – in EECA countries there

are similar matrices of working with the state sector and in the

medical services.

EECA includes mostly the former post-Soviet countries with

similar healthcare systems (after the dissolution of the USSR

the sphere was not substantially reformed in view of the new

conditions).

2. Define the target groups

Example: representatives of NGOs working on socially dangerous

diseases.

3. Prepare an assessment tool – questionnaire/survey form

with scoring system (from 0 to 10).

In the document we formulate the questions helping us to understand the applicants’ competence level, their motivation and need for trainings and technical support

The requirements to the participants may have limitations or additional requirements. For example – invite for participation those people who have been working under this direction for not less than 2 years and have sufficient basic knowledge which were used several times and became stable skills.

Example of a questionnaire including questions with selection criteria and scoring system:

NGO representative, advocacy experience/activist (10 points)

Representative of the organization involved in the GF processes (10 points);

Previous training – yes/no (10 points)

Quality of motivational essay: involvement and quality are assessed (total 30 points): capacity or intention to participate in the GF processes in future (10

points); сonnection with the risk groups affected by the problem. For example, TB/HIV problems, etc. (10 points);potential to promote action plans on the country level (10 points);

Training program complies with the study needs (10 points)?

Active member of communities working against socially dangerous diseases (10 points)

Total: 80 points (maximum)

Example of a questionnaire including questions with selection criteria and scoring system:

A separate question in the questionnaire should ask the participants to specify, what other trainings they would like to attend within HIV/TB field.).

Analysis of responses will help to adjust/supplement the training agenda.

Take into consideration

Local program reviews to your region

National Program reviews to your country

Expected timelines

IN CONCLUSION

Thank you!