The Ministry of Local Government, through the Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA), has recently reformed the para-social workers layout, a proximity advisory corps initiated to contribute to community sensitization in matters of poverty reduction. Initiated in 2015 under the denomination of “Case Workers” and later named “Para-social Workers” and expanded countrywide in 2021, the purpose of this proximity advisory mechanism is to strengthen coordination of service delivery through sensitization. The ultimate objective of this VUP component is threefold: (i) to raise awareness and understanding surrounding graduation from extreme poverty and the Vision Umurenge Programme (VUP); (ii) to ensure household understanding of rights and responsibilities; (iii) and to support access to economic opportunities and services.

Speaking on the reform of para-social workers structure, Mr. NSABIBARUTA Maurice, Division Manager of Community Development and Coordination Division at LODA, revealed that: “The reform of the Para-Social Workers structures aims to not only consolidate the registered transformational advisory services but also to uplift the quality of advisory services provision to graduation participants in a manner that allows the speed required and expected under the NST2 agenda. With this we envision putting in place the PSW structures characterized by patriotism, enhanced level of understanding of the national vision, instilled with capacity and tools to effectively serve in this digital era and in regular and close partnership with a variety of stakeholders at all levels and finally make graduation out of poverty a proven reality. So, having the capable structure on board will significantly contribute to improved and efficient delivery of social protection services”.

Mr. NSABIBARUTA further stated that: “The PSWs are expected to contribute to the implementation of the national strategy for sustainable graduation by providing socio-economic advisory services to graduation participants by facilitating the monitoring of implementation of social protection programs and the extent to which they benefit the targeted beneficiaries. In other words, they are proximity advisors in the jointly invested efforts to eradicate poverty and hence serve as socio-economic coaches and mentors at the community level”.

Being a para-social worker primarily requires a number of qualities mainly integrity, volunteerism, empathy and humility among others. According to the updated guidelines that are effective since September 2024, the following are the selection criteria for para-social workers.

• Being a Rwandan by nationality and able to communicate effectively with the community;
• Being available and having the willingness to voluntarily serve as a Para-Social Worker;
• Having a minimum A2 education level;
• Being aged between 25 years to 55 years old;
• Being a resident for at least 6 months in the village expected to serve in;
• Demonstrate a high standard of conduct, performance, integrity and able to set a positive example to the community;
• Possess life experience of success and of having overcome challenges or helped others to do so, which can be exemplary to beneficiaries hence serving as role model;          
• Active listening, empathy, and humility;
• Energy and commitment to follow-up issues on behalf of the community;
• Able to acquire the capacity to monitor participants' interventions and their livelihoods evolution;
• Having experience of at least 1 year as a youth volunteer is an added value;
• Being familiar with or able to acquire new skills (digital skills; mentorship, coaching, …);
• Not currently serving as Community Health Workers, IZUs (Friends of Family) and Famer Field Facilitators;
• Not having been convicted or sentenced by court of law.

Para-social workers are selected by local citizens from their communities and each village is endowed with one (though some villages do not have any especially due to relocation of the local population from high-risk zones). All in all, that there are 14,719 para-social workers in the country.