2019 Tanzania: Evaluation of training program for nutrition officers

The In-service Training (IST) program for Nutrition Officers (NuOs) in Tanzania follows the Scheme of Service and Job Descriptions under the Government of Tanzania (GoT) and the Ministry of Health Community Development Gender Elderly and Children (MoHCDGEC). Regional and District Council Management teams realized that the newly graduated nutritionists of this program lacked proper coordination and management skills, which resulted in efforts to close this gap. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) called for increased efforts to train the NuOs in order to enhance performance and the implementation of the National Nutrition Strategy in which UNICEF responded. Its strategy was to provide support in implementing the first national IST program (between 2012 and 2016). The main goals of the training program included articulating the nutrition landscape across Tanzania, integrating a national nutrition strategy, monitoring the situation, and supporting nutrition frontline workers. A study to assess the contribution of the IST program was jointly conducted by JIMAT Development Consultants of Zimbabwe and the Nutrition, Health, and Sustainable Development Center (NUDEC) of Tanzania. The program output was fully achieved with geographical coverage of all 25 regions of mainland Tanzania and five regions in Zanzibar. The IST program additionally improved the abilities of NuOs.