EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT

Overview

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a system thinking consultant to help DHS understand and address the complex challenges facing our organization. We are looking for a consultant with a deep understanding of systems theory and experience applying it to real-world problems.

Scope of Work

The consultant will work with DHS to:

·      Identify and understand the key components of the Tennessee public safety net system, including the cause of economic dependency.

·      Develop a system map that visually represents the system and its dynamics.

·      Conduct a system analysis to identify the root causes of problems and opportunities for improvement.

·      Design and implement system interventions to address the challenges we face and achieve our desired outcomes.

·      Facilitate workshops and training sessions to help our team members understand and apply systems thinking principles.

Responsibilities

The consultant's responsibilities will include:

·      Facilitate or co-facilitate meetings with key stakeholders to gather information and develop a deep understanding of our system.

·      Developing and delivering presentations and workshops to educate our team members on systems thinking.

·      Using systems thinking tools and techniques to conduct a system analysis and develop interventions.

·      Work with DHS to design and implement the interventions.

·      Providing ongoing support and coaching to our team members on systems thinking.

Qualifications

·      The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

·      Master's degree or equivalent in systems thinking, organizational development, or a related field.

·      5+ years of experience applying systems thinking principles to real-world problems.

·      Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

·      Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

·      Experience with the public safety net system, preferred.

Timeline

·      The project will begin on January 1, 2024, and is expected to be completed within 24 months.

Deliverables

The consultant will deliver the following:

·      A system map of the Tennessee public safety net system.

·      A system analysis report that identifies the root causes of our challenges and opportunities for improvement.

·      A detailed plan for implementing system interventions.

·      Assist with developing reports on the results of the interventions.

·      Workshops on systems thinking for our team members.

Approval Process

·      All deliverables will be subject to the approval of the Assistant Commissioner of the Quality Improvement and Solutions Division (QISS).

·      The project will be considered complete when the following criteria have been met:

·      The consultant has delivered all the required deliverables.

·      The deliverables have been approved by the Assistant Commissioner of QISS.