FACT Zimbabwe has been implementing the HIV-sensitive case management system adopted by the government of Zimbabwe’s national case management system to fulfil NAP for OVC 3 under SPACE for OVC. The project is implemented in 9 districts of Manicaland and Masvingo provinces in Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe. Case management is a system of operation that thrives to identify the needs and vulnerabilities of individuals and unify systems to help these groups deal with their problems. This has been used to facilitate care and treatment at the community level for children living with HIV and those affected by HIV together with their households through various community social service workforces such as community cadres, schoolteachers, caregivers, and station social workers. However, the ever-dynamic implementation of the HIV-sensitive case management system, tools used, and nature of implementation be it virtual or physical has come with several challenges that call for routine training. In this regard, the office has developed vernacular audio job aids to enhance the implementation of the HIV-sensitive case management system.
The audios are a detailed description of implementation modalities stated on tools thus the wellbeing assessment and profiling forms in vernacular language. They give a detailed narrative of program objectives, aim and vision stated on these data collection tools in Shona. Target groups within the community of vulnerable children and orphans are also clearly explained. In the audio job aids various players especially community cadres across the workforce sector have their job descriptions within the case management system clearly explained. Orientation of operating tools is also in the audio job aids. After compilation and translations to vernacular language, the job aids were shared with cadres using online working groups for all cadres to use in strengthening the social service workforce across the care and treatment sector at the community level within the SPACE for OVC project.
Cadres using the audio job aids can revisit training material for effective implementation after the initial training on HIV-sensitive case management. This implies learning more and understanding grey areas of the training better through continued learning on-site.
The audio job aids were also designed in vernacular language to strengthen the social service workforce in communities as community cadres are usually semi-skilled and skilled practitioners who might find it challenging to appreciate all concepts in technical English mode. In this regard comprehending the training material in vernacular language means that they would be able to understand implementation modalities better.
Vernacular job aids seem to also empower cadres to learn and improve their skills in their own spaces without the physical presence of the trainer. This is cost-effective and sustainable in a way. In line with making the case of investing in strengthening the social service workforce across sectors, the audio job aids have resulted in the sound implementation of HIV sensitive case management system for improved care and treatment.