Example from Zimbabwe

A Selective Approach to Supportive Supervision

In the Community-Based Distribution (CBD) program of the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council, family planning information and contraceptives (oral pills and condoms) are provided by CBD workers. A group of eight to ten CBD workers are supervised by a Group Leader (based at the district level), and all the Group Leaders in a province are supervised by a Senior Educator who is based at the provincial level.

Group Leaders are former CBD workers who have been promoted from within and so understand the job's character, rhythms, and travel demands. The duties of the Group Leader are highly specific and include: maintaining close personal contact with each CBD worker she or he supervises; occasionally accompanying each CBD worker on daily rounds to observe the work and assist with any problems or weaknesses; and promoting family planning in the district by attending meetings and addressing various gatherings on family planning. Technical and administrative changes are also relayed to the CBD workers through the Group Leader.

Each Group Leader meets with her or his group of CBD workers on a monthly basis to compile reports, review problems, plan future work and activities, and dispense supplies. In addition, the Group Leader travels extensively to visit the CBD workers on their rounds, following a work plan developed each month with the Senior Educator. Using a supervisor's checklist, the Group Leader supports members of her or his group through three types of supervisory visits:

• Spot check. This visit focuses on a few specific points and requires between half a day and a full day to conduct. The Group Leader checks whether the CBD workers are following their schedule of work, whether they start their work on time, and whether they actually work eight hours a day as stipulated. In addition, their records are checked for accuracy.
• Full spot check. This is more thorough check and requires one or two days with the CBD workers. During this visit, the Group Leader checks the CBD worker's records for accuracy and validity. Some acceptors recorded by the CBD worker will be personally contacted by the Group Leader to verify the records of the CBD worker.
• Support visit. This visit is most common with new recruits and any other workers whose performance has declined in quality. This type of visit can take up to five days. The Group Leader accompanies the CBD worker during door-to-door visits, watching and listening as she or he speaks with and manages her or his clients. This one-on-one supervision provides the Group Leader with insights into the CBD worker's strengths and weaknesses and helps the Group Leader to decide what needs to be done to improve the performance of the CBD worker.