The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) recently announced the award of a contract for $61 million to Abt Associates, Inc. for the Public Sector System Strengthening (PS3) project. Through this award, USAID aims to support the Government of Tanzania to strengthen the public system to promote the delivery, quality, and use of government services, particularly for underserved populations.
In commenting about the award, U.S. Ambassador Mark B. Childress stated, “The U.S. Government is committed to helping the Government of Tanzania build a strong and sustainable public sector that has the capacity to deliver quality services to all its citizens.”
The purpose of PS3 is to strengthen existing Government of Tanzania systems at both national and local levels to improve service delivery across sectors. To reach the goal of improved government service delivery, PS3 will focus on four major systems components: governance and citizen engagement, human resources, financial management, and information systems.
At the national level, the project will focus on the development and operationalization of key strategies and policies. At the local government-level, the project’s emphasis will be on helping to translate national guidance into action on the ground, while also informing the national level dialogue of the realities at the local government levels.
PS3 will accommodate the multi-sectoral nature of local government authorities and assist in promoting inclusive and evidenced-based planning, management, and implementation of government services pertinent to health, education, agriculture, rural roads, and water and sanitation sectors.
By the end of the five year period the Government of Tanzania will be able to better distribute their workforce so that teachers, agriculture extension agents and health workers are available in rural areas, local governments will have increased tax revenue to better serve the needs of the public, local governments will better utilize data for decision making, and citizens will have increased influence over how local government budgets are planned and executed.
USAID’s Public Sector Systems Strengthening (PS3) project will work with the Government of Tanzania to strengthen the public system to promote the delivery, quality, and use of government services. For example, it will help ensure health facilities in underserved areas have skilled health workers, such as the technician pictured above at the Nyamagana Hospital in Mwanza. Photo Credit: Sala Lewis/Verve.
Please, wear gloves!
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