Public Sector Systems Strengthening (PS3) in Tanzania Quarterly Report July 1 – September 30, 2015

The project's primary objective is to operationalize key strategies, policies, and guidelines at the national level and translate national guidance into action at the Local Government Authority (LGA) level. PS3 will focus on four major systems components: governance and citizen engagement, human resources, financing, and information systems. The project was awarded to Abt Associates and signed on July 29, 2015. The quarterly report primarily presents progress towards implementation of the PS3 mobilization plan, which consists of key management and program areas critical to efficient and effective project start-up. Significant progress was made in all mobilization plan key management and program areas, including hiring and mobilizing staff, office operations, procurement, and finance and administration; PMP and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system; coordination with USAID, Year 1 draft Workplan, official post-award meeting and deliverables; project communication; and program activities. The major accomplishment during the period was substantial movement on project start-up as measured by progress against the mobilization plan. A project start-up team was deployed consisting of a Chief of Party (COP) in Tanzania, and Portfolio Manager, Technical Program Officer, and F&A Manager from the home office who traveled to Dar August 12-September 12, 2015 to begin start-up and hold initial project meetings with GOT and USAID. Personnel for the five key staff positions of COP, Deputy COP, Operations Research Specialist, Finance Component (Team) Lead, and Satellite Director were approved, and offers for key and essential staff have been made. Most of these staff are on board or will start work soon. The PS3 team has made significant progress in office operations, procurement, finance, and administration. Abt is registered as a branch in Tanzania, and the registration is up-to-date and covers the PS3 program. Office space was procured at Plot #1486 Msasani Peninsula in Dar es Salaam, and the team moved into this office space on September 1, 2015. Most subcontractors have signed contracts and are ready to start implementation. The team has opened a bank account at Barclays Bank and developed plans to complete intensive finance and management work in October. The project has also made progress in developing and setting up project finance and administrative systems and procedures. The team has developed plans to complete International Accounting Training funded with Abt's own corporate resources. In addition, Abt home office security personnel will visit Dar in October to provide training for the office staff. PS3 developed and submitted a procurement plan for computers, equipment, and vehicles, which was approved by USAID on August 25, 2015. The procurement of equipment, computers, and vehicles is underway and will be completed soon.