Tanzania Human Resource Capacity Project—Quarterly Report, July - September 2012

The project aims to strengthen the human resource capacity of the health sector in Tanzania, with a focus on improving the management and utilization of human resources for health (HRH). The project is implemented through a series of strategic objectives, which are outlined below. Objective 1: Support to National Level Government in HRH The project has been actively engaged in supporting the national level government in HRH, with a focus on policy development and implementation. In the quarter under review, the project conducted a policy table discussion with policy makers from the Prime Minister's Office, Public Service Management, the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The discussion aimed to develop policy briefs on major bottlenecks hampering HRM, including retention, recruitment, and the Open Performance Review and Appraisal System (OPRAS). The project also initiated the development of a National Orientation Package, which is close to approval by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. Objective 2: Establishing a Human Resource Information System (HRIS) The project has made significant progress in establishing a functional comprehensive HRIS, which is a critical component of the project's strategy to improve HRM. In the quarter under review, the project deployed the LGHRIS to eight regions, including Dodoma, Morogoro, Mbeya, Rukwa, Ruvuma, Tabora, Kigoma, and Singida. The project also successfully imported personnel data from the Health Care Management Information System (HCMIS), which has improved interoperability between the two systems. Objective 3: District HRH Strengthening and Development The project has been actively engaged in strengthening and developing HRH at the district level, with a focus on improving the management and utilization of HRH. In the quarter under review, the project supported HRH supportive supervision in all 54 districts using the developed HRH guide. The project also reviewed the 2011/2012 Comprehensive Council Health Plans (CCHPs) to see progress on HR indicators, extracting data on CHMT staff, health workers, and the budget for HRM activities. Objective 4: Development of a Cadre of Para-Social Workers The project has been actively engaged in developing a cadre of para-social workers (PSWs), who play a critical role in providing social welfare services to vulnerable children (MVC). In the quarter under review, the project trained 257 PSWs and 37 PSW supervisors from Masasi District Council and 100 PSWs and 15 PSW supervisors from Nanyumbu District Council. The project also developed a scope of work for a consultant to provide organizational development support to the Para-Social Network of Tanzania (PASONET). Organizational Development and Capacity Building The project has been actively engaged in organizational development and capacity building, with a focus on strengthening the institutional capacity of the Christian Social Service Commission (CSSC). In the quarter under review, the project conducted a leadership and management training for CSSC senior and mid-level managers. The project also prioritized in-house capacity to continue activities initiated with the Management Sciences for Health (MSH) Technical Assistance (TA), such as the management of the dashboard system and the performance management system. The project has made significant progress in achieving its strategic objectives, with a focus on improving the management and utilization of HRH. The project has also strengthened the institutional capacity of CSSC and has made significant progress in developing a cadre of PSWs. The project will continue to work closely with its partners to achieve its objectives and improve the health sector in Tanzania.