Finalizing a Health Workforce Allocation Tool in Tanzania

Funded by PEPFAR through the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and implemented by Management Sciences for Health, the Technical Support Services Project (TSSP) worked with the Tanzania Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children (MoHCDGEC) to finalize the National Health Workforce Allocation Optimization (WAO) tool.

The WAO tool is an electronic decision support system used to allocate health staff to health facilities. It is based on recruitment permit data derived from and analyzed through the work load indicators for staffing need (WISN) method and approved personal emolument budget ceilings provided by the President’s Office – Public Service Management and Ministry of Finance and Planning. The tool uses an evidence-based approach and health indicators to drive health workforce allocation decisions. It is a reliable electronic human resources for health (HRH) recruitment system that enables online application of vacant posts, a short list of qualified candidates, and allocation based on predetermined health indicators and applicants’ preferences. Using it, the MoHCDGEC and other public health institutions (PHIs) are able to improve allocation of Tanzania’s health workforce based on need and maximize employee satisfaction by deploying workers to their preferred working stations.