ZIFA to Conduct Skills Audit Amid Allegations of Irregular Hiring
The Nqobile Magwizi-led Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) executive committee is reportedly set to conduct a skills audit to ensure that all staff members possess the necessary qualifications and competencies to serve the organization effectively.
Reports indicate that ZIFA has engaged an independent consultancy firm, Samara Corporate Consultants Limited, to oversee the audit process.
In a recent communication to staff, ZIFA notified employees of the upcoming evaluation, 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.
The statement outlined the purpose of the audit, emphasizing that it aims to align staff capabilities with business needs, identify skills gaps, and improve human capital management within the organization.
To achieve this, the audit will focus on:
- Assessing academic qualifications and professional experience
- Identifying skills gaps to inform training and development plans
- Reviewing competency standards across all job roles
- Conducting discussions between employees and supervisors for accurate profiling
- Auditing HR policies and procedures to align with best practices
ZIFA reassured staff that the initiative is intended to support career growth and enhance operational efficiency rather than being a cause for concern.
However, the audit comes at a time when concerns have been raised over ZIFA’s recruitment processes. There are reports that some employees may have been hired without the necessary qualifications or experience.
Among the contentious allegations is that current ZIFA Secretary General Yvonne Manwa reportedly failed her probation under the Normalisation Committee (NC) before the new executive took over in January. Unconfirmed reports suggest FIFA official Solomon Mudege allegedly intervened to ensure Manwa was retained despite her reportedly not meeting the required standards at the time.
Further claims indicate that several ZIFA employees hired under the NC may have secured their positions through nepotism, with some allegedly lacking the necessary qualifications for their roles.
With the skills audit now underway, its findings could either confirm or dispel these allegations, potentially leading to significant restructuring within the organization.
