Training & Institutional Development Paralegal Training Four trainee paralegals completed their Stage 1 training (Legal Awareness, Community Education and Casework) and are proceeding with Stage 2 (Case Work and Community Education). Three of the trainees were from the LRF (Gweru and Bulawayo) and one from Justice for Children. Four paralegals wrote the five theory papers of the Paralegal Certification examinations during June 2014. Two were successful and will proceed to the final practical exam. The other two will need to re-sit one of the theory papers. Lawyers’ Workshop All 15 lawyers within the LRF received training on local government law. They were acquainted with provisions in the Urban Councils Act, Rural District Councils Act, Chapter 14 of the Constitution, and gender and local government. This is an area not covered in law school yet there was need to know it in order to impart such knowledge to councillors. Following the training the LRF conducted the workshops targeting councillors in Masvingo, Murehwa and Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe where the lawyers indicated that they had felt confident to facilitate having been equipped with the requisite knowledge. Performance Management 2014 has seen the second year of implementing the Balanced Score Card Performance Management system. The benefits can be noted of having annual performance contracts and then periodic coaching and reviews to guide both the implementing staff and their supervisors in striving to improve performance. Employee Engagement Survey An employee engagement survey was conducted during May 2014 amongst all LRF staff throughout its various offices by Distinctive Consultancy Services, who generously donated their time and expertise as their contribution to the development of the LRF. The final analytical report indicated that the average level of engagement was around 80%, comparing favourably with results achieved nationally, regionally and internationally. It highlighted areas for attention and the intention is to repeat the survey annually, striving to improve the level of engagement. Works Council Members of the Works Council and additional Workers’ Committee representatives attended a oneday training on the role and conduct of a Works Council, generously provided by Mrs Rose Nhamo, a human resources expert and Chair of the Human Resources Committee. The Works Council meeting was held the next day and the benefits of the training were immediately obvious with constructive discussion and engagement. Funding International Funding The LRF would like to thank every funding partner who supported our work during the year. They maintained our ongoing work in Zimbabwe and enabled us to plan ahead with confidence. In October 2013, the LRF entered into a three-year agreement with Sida and Danida, who are supporting the core work of the LRF in promoting access to justice. Together with the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the European Delegation in Zimbabwe, the German Development Fund and ICCO, the institutional support from these partners has enabled the LRF to focus on strategic delivery of services. 29