ZIFA set to conduct staff skills audit which could open a can of worms

HARARE – The Nqobile Magwizi led Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) executive committee is reportedly set to conduct a skills audit aimed at ensuring that all staff members possess the necessary qualifications and competencies to effectively serve the organisation.

Reports suggest ZIFA has engaged an independent consultancy firm, Samara Corporate Consultants Limited, to carry out the audit.

In a communication to staff, ZIFA informed employees of the upcoming audit, with the first meeting with the consultants scheduled for Wednesday.

“We hope this message finds you well. In our commitment to enhancing organisational efficiency and ensuring our staff is well-equipped to achieve strategic objectives, we will be conducting a Skills Audit, Competency Profiling, and Comprehensive Human Capital Audit in the coming days,’’ read part of the communique to staff.

“To facilitate a smooth and effective process, a Human Capital Consulting firm, Samara Corporate Consultants Limited, has been engaged to conduct this project.

“Their expertise will be instrumental in identifying opportunities for staff development, aligning talent with business needs, and implementing best practices in human capital management.

“This initiative aims to support career growth and operational efficiency, and should not be a cause for concern. Our goal is to ensure that everyone has the necessary skills and competencies to excel in their roles.

“The scope of the intervention will include the following:

Key Aspects of the Process:

Assessment of academic qualifications and professional experience

Identification of skills gaps to inform training and development plans

Review of competency standards across all job roles

Employee and supervisor discussions and input for accurate profiling

Audit of HR policies and procedures to align with best practices

“We understand that change can be unsettling and bring uncertainty, but we want to assure you that this initiative is designed to support your career development and enhance operational effectiveness.

“The insights gained will help shape training, development, and career advancement opportunities across the organization, creating a more engaged and productive team.

“The team of consultants will be working on and off site during this review process. They will require the whole team’s participation and corporation for this exercise to be a success. We will communicate the outcomes of this exercise upon completion,’’ ZIFA said.

The audit could open a can of worms as there are reports of irregularities in the recruitment processes at ZIFA.

There are allegations current Secretary General Yvonne Manwa initially failed her probation during the tenure of the Normalisation Committee (NC) which oversaw ZIFA operations before the election of the new executive in January.

Unconfirmed reports suggest FIFA official Solomon Mudege intervened for Manwa to be hired despite her reportedly not meeting required standards at the time.

Further claims suggest that Mudege had to instruct the NC to sweep the matter under the carpet.

Additionally, unconfirmed reports suggest a number of ZIFA employees (employed by the NC) were hired through nepotism, with some allegedly lacking the required qualifications or competence required for their roles.