Social work graduates in Eswatini are entering a landscape of immense social need, yet formal government positions remain highly competitive, with many recruitment processes slowed or frozen. If you are waiting for a government post, your skills are far too valuable to remain unused. Your degree has value beyond the public sector. The key is knowing where to apply it.

The shift from waiting for employment to creating opportunities can transform your career. Track NGO project cycles and offer your report writing, case management and community assessment skills on a contract basis. Many organisations recruit qualified professionals for specific projects even when permanent posts are unavailable.

Here are five pathways that can unlock immediate income:

1. NGO Project Contracts
   International and local organisations working in food security, child protection, orphan and vulnerable children support, health and community development regularly recruit field officers and facilitators for short term projects.
2. Private Case Management
   Families often need independent professionals to coordinate elderly care, conduct family assessments or prepare welfare reports for legal, medical or immigration purposes.
3. Training and Facilitation
   Train community health workers, caregivers, daycare practitioners and youth groups on child protection, safeguarding, mental health awareness and basic psychosocial support. Many organisations pay daily rates for facilitators.
4. Grant Writing and Monitoring and Evaluation
   Your documentation and assessment skills are ideal for Monitoring and Evaluation. Freelance M&E assistants can earn between E300 and E800 per day collecting data, tracking outcomes and compiling reports. With experience, you can also train others in these skills.
5. Establish a Community Based Organisation
   Partner with fellow graduates to register a Community Based Organisation and apply for local and international mini grants ranging from E10,000 to E50,000 to implement projects while creating employment.

Do not overlook the organisations where you completed your internship. Reconnect with former supervisors to understand the challenges they still face. Their pain points may reveal opportunities to develop a service, programme or social enterprise that solves a real problem.

Watch for opportunities with organisations such as World Vision Eswatini, Jhpiego, Young Heroes, and others implementing community projects.

Whether you want to develop a business plan, establish a Community Based Organisation or strengthen your skills, Likusasa Letfu is here to help. Call 7803 3230 or 7958 5564, or visit thubelihle.org to book a Career Centre session.