Community Sector Workforce Capability Framework

Client

Office for the Community Sector (OCS), Department of Planning and Community Development (Victoria)

Description

A Workforce Capability Framework is a tool that can help align an organisation's workforce with the environment within which it operates. The Community Sector Workforce Capability Framework developed by Precision Consultancy in collaboration with Hanover Welfare Services in 2009 is a response to the Victorian Government's Action Plan: Strengthening Community Organisations which aims to build the capacity of community organisations, so that the sector continues to be responsive to community need in a changing environment. The Framework could be used in a number of ways by organisations, e.g. to help create position descriptions and selection criteria, discussing performance development needs, designing training plans.

Methodology

The project design aimed for extensive input from the not for profit sector and consisted of:

Reference Group - The formation of a Reference Group with representatives from a wide range of organisations in the not for profit (NFP) sector, including employer and union organisations, to oversee and guide the project.

Research - A range of capability frameworks from Australia and overseas, particularly the UK, were reviewed to determine what features or content may be suitable for inclusion in a Workforce Capability Framework for the NFP sector.

Community forums - A series of community forums were held to explain the Capability Framework, and to receive feedback on its proposed structure and content. Approximately 70 people from a wide range of community organisations attended these forums.

Online survey (1) - An on-line survey was developed. The survey asked for respondents' views regarding the importance of the nine streams of the Draft Framework; the skills and knowledge required of people working in the community sector; the personal attributes required of people working in the community sector; and the capabilities, skills and/or attributes that people working in the community sector will most need for the future.

Face to face interviews - A series of face to face interviews with key informants from peak organisations were held to provide input to the Framework.

Data analysis - Following the consultation phase, data and feedback was analysed to develop a refined draft of the Framework: this was circulated for comment and the updated draft was presented to the Reference Group.

Feedback on Framework via online survey (2) - The Draft Framework was made available online for further comment and feedback, through Precision Consultancy's website; it was also emailed to contacts on the OCS data base. A short survey was used to gather feedback.

Final draft of Workforce Capability Framework - As a result of feedback from the second survey and input from the Reference Group, the final draft of the Community Sector Workforce Capability Framework was developed, for presentation to the Reference Group for final sign off.

Development of implementation resources - An Implementation Toolkit and Capability Framework Cards were developed, and will be used to trial the framework in the second half of 2009.

Deliverables

The Framework is made up of 14 Personal Attributes which describe qualities expected of people in this sector; and nine Capability Streams, each of which has a number of descriptors. As there are many job titles and levels of responsibility throughout the community sector, these have been broadly categorised into four levels.

To help with the implementation of the Capability Framework, some resources have been developed consisting of a Toolkit with series of examples of how it can be used; and a set of Capability Cards to assist with a range of human resource functions.

 The Framework and associated tools are being trialled with a range of community sector organisations throughout the second half of 2009.