abel blessing matsika

Independent Consultant , Consultancy

Harare, Zimbabwe

Qualified and experienced social worker, holds a PhD in Social Work from Stellenbosch University, a Master and Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Zimbabwe. I am an independent consultant with over 15 years consulting experience for government ministries, various UN agencies, and NGOs, specialising in Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and child protection. Previously worked for INGOs.

Contact abel blessing matsika
Area of Expertise:
  • Social, Education, Gender, Youth, Child
Professional Experience:

Independent Consultant
Responding to calls for consultancy (EOIs & Technical Proposals)
Securing consultancy assignments through interviews
Attending inception & validation meetings for awarded assignments
Delivering project deliverables as per Terms of Reference (ToRs)
Presenting findings and recommendations
Finalizing deliverables and closing projects as per ToRs

Lecturer
Teaching undergraduate & postgraduate social work courses
Supervising undergraduate & postgraduate research projects and theses
Conducting research on GBV and child protection issues
Publishing book chapters, papers, and other scholarly works
Reviewing research and scholarly publications
Participating in and presenting research papers at conferences

Behaviour Change & Communication Officer, Helen Keller International
Developed a Behaviour Change Communication strategy on maternal health & child survival.
Built capacity among implementing partners for effective strategy implementation.

IEC Officer Population Services International Zimbabwe Maternal & Child Health
Liaison with key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s Department of Environmental Health and community structures to increase programme buy-in during and after the sporadic cholera outbreaks of 2008-10.

Voluntary Counseling & Testing (VCT) Counsellor PSI-New Start Centre
Provided psycho-social support and facilitated referrals for HIV-positive clients.
Coordinated outreach activities to promote HIV testing.
Programme Officer Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Zimbabwe Emergency Relief Program
Managed community relations and supervised food aid distribution, focusing on vulnerable children.
Consultancy engagements on GBV, child protection, HIV and disability for UN agencies, NGOs and Government Ministries. Selected ones include:

Co-consultant for a multi-country study on child marriage drivers (2019-2021).
Development of SOPs for handling GBV cases in various service provision settings.
Conducting KAP surveys on GBV knowledge and practices.
Development of the National Case Management System for the Welfare & Protection of Children in Zimbabwe.
Lead consultant for UNICEF/VFS assessment of victim-friendly courts (2023).

Key Skills:
Expertise in GBV case management and multi-sectoral response
Strong research, analytical and report writing skills.
Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities.
Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders
Child Protection
Disability
Research & Evaluation
Training & Development
Advocacy

Education:

I attained a PhD in Social Work from Stellenbosch University in 2021. Thesis Title: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Zimbabwe: Views of Service Providers on Contributing Factors & Implications for Social Work Intervention. I also hold a Master of Social Work from the University of Zimbabwe and researched on positive living among people living with HIV in 2012. I obtained a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) from the University of Zimbabwe in 2003. My academic studies equipped me with knowledge on social work methods and practice, communication skills (both verbal and written) research and analytical skills as well as report writing skills that have become handy in my professional and consultancy engagements.

Affiliations and Achievements:

Registered as a social worker with the Zimbabwe Council of Social Workers.

Published researcher, key publications include:
Associations between child marriage and food insecurity in Zimbabwe: a participatory mixed methods study. BMC Public Health 24 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17408-7. Gambir, K., Matsika, A.B., Panagiotou, A., et al.
Understanding the Drivers of Child, Early, and Forced Marriage (CEFM) in food insecure areas in Chiredzi District, Zimbabwe- An Action-Driven and Girl-Led Mixed-Method Research Study. https://planinternational.org/publications/our-voices-our-future-zimbabwe/
Child marriage among the Apostolic Sects in Zimbabwe: Implications for social work practice. Munyaradzi Muchacha, Abel Blessing Matsika and Tatenda Nhapi. Book Chapter in The tensions between culture and human rights: Emancipatory social work and Afrocentricity in a global world (2021) [Editors: Sewpaul, V., Kreitzer, L. & Raniga, T], University of Calgary Press.
Innocent inmates; the situation of children living with their mothers in prison: A case study of Zimbabwe’s Chikurubi Female Prison. Matsika, A.B, Muridzo, N.G, Nyanguru, A.C & Dzingirayi, V (Journal of Social Development in Africa Volume 28 Number 2).
Understanding the roles of social workers in the promotion of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV interventions in Zimbabwe. Muchacha, M & Matsika, A.B (Global HIV Social Work Response 2016 book by IASSW and UNAIDS). http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2017/march/201 70321_socialwork

Available for:

  • Consulting assignments
  • Job opportunities

Years of Experience:

15-20 years

Highest Qualification:

Doctorate

Languages:

English, none

Nationality:

Zimbabwe

Subscribe to Value Membership Broadcast Resume Advertise Contact Us

Disclaimer Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions