Mercy Nacidze-Chileshe
Lusaka
Summary
Dedicated Social Welfare Officer with extensive experience in implementing social welfare services and community development programs. Skilled in administering welfare schemes, facilitating juvenile justice, and providing rehabilitation services. Adept at program management, report writing, community mobilization and stakeholder coordination. Currently pursuing a Master of Development Studies to further enhance expertise in the field.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER
government of the republic of zambia (ministry of community development and social SERVICES)
10.2013 - Current
- Undertook the implementation of Social Welfare Services in the District in order to alleviate suffering and vulnerability among the vulnerable groups and protect the Welfare of Children and Juveniles.
- Developed targeted interventions addressing specific social issues such as child marriages and teenage pregnancies (and dropping out of school as a result) by collaborating with community stakeholders, resulting in improved reduced cases for affected individuals.
- Raised public awareness of available social welfare resources through targeted campaigns and information sessions, increasing service utilization rates among those in need.
- Conducted home visits to assess living conditions and provide additional assistance where needed, ensuring a holistic approach to client wellbeing.
- Endured accuracy of applicant's eligibility by compiling, recording and evaluating financial data provided by applicant.
- Managed caseloads efficiently, ensuring timely interventions and follow-up on ongoing cases, contributing to positive outcomes for clients.
- Evaluated program effectiveness using data-driven methodologies, enabling continuous improvement of provided services based on measurable results.
- Administer the Social Cash Transfer Scheme to ensure timely disbursement of funds to beneficiaries.
- Monitor and evaluate statutory and non-statutory services, providing intervention measures as needed.
- Successfully manage the Public Welfare Assistance Scheme, facilitating the provision of basic needs to vulnerable individuals.
- Prepare comprehensive reports on program activities on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.
- Maintain and manage the database of the Management Information Systems (MIS).
- Facilitate juvenile justice proceedings and prepare committal orders to ensure child safety.
- Provide community probation services to juvenile offenders, focusing on behavior modification.
- Prepared bi monthly budgets for program implementation as well as financial reports.
- Collaborated with other government offices to provide clients with additional/appropriate support to meet needs.
CREDIT OFFICER
FINCA Microfinance Bank
06.2012 - 10.2013
- Obtained and reviewed credit reports, credit references, credit insurance and financial statements to establish credit limits for new accounts.
- Optimized lending practices by maintaining up-to-date knowledge of industry trends and regulatory requirements.
- Updated client accounts with new information and verified data for informed credit approvals.
- Enhanced credit decision-making by conducting comprehensive financial analysis and risk assessments.
- Increased customer satisfaction scores by promptly addressing concerns and resolving issues related to credit products.
- Collaborated closely with underwriting teams to ensure a seamless process from application submission to loan disbursement for clients.
- Investigated and evaluated customers for creditworthiness and
- Investigated and evaluated customers for creditworthiness and potential risk factors.
- Devised collection recovery strategies to resolve customer issues and delinquent cases.
PROGRAMS OFFICER
PELUM ASSSOCIATION
06.2011 - 06.2012
- Implemented effective monitoring systems to track program progress against established benchmarks.
- Organized workshops and trainings for stakeholders, increasing understanding of program goals and objectives.
- Reported on sustainable agriculture, climate change, food security, and natural resources management projects.
- Identified project concepts and potential partners, contributing to resource mobilization efforts.
- Participated in discussions and events relevant to PELUM's objectives and programs.
- Conducted field and desktop research on emerging issues in agriculture and natural resource management.
Education
Diploma - Social Work
NATIONAL COLLEGE FOR MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (MULUNGUSHI UNIVERSITY)
Kabwe, ZambiaMaster of Arts - Development Studies
MULUNGUSHI UNIVERSITY
Kabwe, Zambia11.2025
Bachelor of Arts - Development Studies
ZAMBIAN OPEN UNIVERSITY
Lusaka, Zambia09.2016
Skills
- Eager and quick learning
- Critical analysis and creative thinking
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills
- Multi tasking skills
- Project Planning
- Research writing and communication
- Problem solving
- Program evaluation
- Cultural competence
- Ethical awareness
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Great understanding of ethical considerations
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 24 staff members during the sensitization and enumeration exercise of the Social Cash transfer across the District.
- Collaborated with team of 10 from a line Ministry in the development of the Keeping girls in School Program.
References
- Mr. Akapelwa Akapelwa, Senior Social Welfare Officer, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Mongu, +260- 0977 237 942, akapelwaakapelwa@ymail.com
- Mr. Muketoi Wamunyima, The Coordinator, Participatory Ecological Land Use Management, Lusaka, +260-977 700 034, muketoi@yahoo.com
- Mr. Fred Phiri, Country Head: Retail Product Sales, United Bank for Africa, Lusaka, +260977335787
Training
- Attended a training workshop on Conservation Agriclture for Small scale farmers ( A food security program) In Zimbabwe- May 2011
- Attended A Training workshop On Effective Communication organised by RAEIN AFRICA- July 2011
- Attended an Agriculture Training of Trainers( On Public Expenditure and community based livelihood intervention) Under IDASA in Pretoria, South Africa- Sept 2011
- Behaviour Change Process Trainer of Trainers Training- Youth Alive Zambia - 2002
Timeline
SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER
government of the republic of zambia (ministry of community development and social SERVICES)
10.2013 - Current
CREDIT OFFICER
FINCA Microfinance Bank
06.2012 - 10.2013
PROGRAMS OFFICER
PELUM ASSSOCIATION
06.2011 - 06.2012
Diploma - Social Work
NATIONAL COLLEGE FOR MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (MULUNGUSHI UNIVERSITY)
Master of Arts - Development Studies
MULUNGUSHI UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Arts - Development Studies
ZAMBIAN OPEN UNIVERSITY
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