Decentralized Human Resources Management In Urban Local Government In Tanzania: A Case Of Dodoma Municipal Council

ABSTRACT

The study focused on Decentralization of Human Resources Management at the Dodoma Municipal Council in Tanzania. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the extent of availability of human resources for performing the functions assigned to Dodoma Municipal Council, to assess the extent Dodoma Municipal Council is able to manage human resources and to examine the challenges facing human resources management therein.

The cross-sectional study used both secondary and primary data. The sample consisted of 50 staffs, 10 Heads of Departments, six Human Resource Officers and one Mayor and one Municipal Executive Director. Data collection methods used were survey and interview. Tools used were questionnaire and interview guide.

The findings of this research highlight that there is inadequate human resources for specific functions and duties assigned to the local government. Regarding the issue of human resources management, limited powers were assigned to the Dodoma Municipal Council for recruitment, promotion, rewarding, training development and discipline of majority of its employees. Rapid expansion of services and consequent mismatch between the number of personnel and the quantum of services to be delivered, lack of funds for staff training and lack of integration and team spirit among the employees, etc were some of the challenges. Training to all categories of employees, maintenance and regular updating of personnel records and efforts to build the spirit of teamwork, need to prepare the staffing plan for various functional departments in addition to the municipal council to ensure that adequate staffs are available for performing various functions assigned to the municipal council were some of the suggestions.