Where We Work : Tanzania : Training

Training is the backbone of BRAC's programmes in Tanzania. As BRAC hires hundreds of new staff, many of them straight out of college, it is critical to provide them with sufficient orientation and training. In addition, BRAC believes in constantly investing in building the capacity of existing staff, helping them to learn new skills and grow within the organisation.

Training new staff

By the end of 2009, BRAC had trained 1,028 new staff in programme management and operations. Most of the new staff will be working as Credit Officers and Community Organisers, spending almost 80% of their time running microfinance meetings, community health forums, awareness raising activities, undertaking survey work and monitoring. All the training is participative with brainstorming sessions, large and small group discussions, case study analysis and presentations.

A typical induction for new staff members includes a three-day course at a training centre, one month of field experience in a branch office, and one week of operational training and awareness on development issues. When new Credit Officers are appointed to the microfinance programme, they are immediately sent to the training centre to do an operational management course and learn about the complex rules and regulations of microfinance. They need to know how the programme will be operated - how to conduct surveys and form village organisations, how borrowers are selected and the selection criteria as well as the loan procedure: how to apply, how to appraise applications and loan repayment procedures.

Training is also given to Area Branch Managers, Project Officers, Trainers and Community Organisers for the different programmes. We offer two types of training: operational training and training on management and development theory. The training needs of the programmes are being continually assessed with frequent field visits by the team of permanent trainers and the wider pool of trainers.

From 2010, some of our training courses related to microfinance will be taught by our five newly-hired Tanzanian trainers.

Examples of courses available for BRAC staff include:

Microfinance Management Course

This six-day course develops participants' conceptual understanding of microfinance as a development programme. It covers the tools and techniques of operating the groups, as well as effectively implementing and managing the programme.

Small Enterprise Management Course

Upon completing the course, participants will have enhanced their competencies for managing small enterprises. They will have familiarised themselves with strategies for making a business profitable by selecting potential entrepreneurs and enterprises.

Training of Trainers

The focus of this course is to develop the trainers' professional understanding and skills in designing, facilitating and managing training programmes effectively and efficiently. The course helps the participating trainers to increase their capacity on appropriate training methodologies and techniques.


BRAC Training Centre

The BRAC Training Centre was opened in September 2009 in Dodoma, we conducted courses in the country office, the area offices and other rented venues. Now we have a fully residential centre for 25 people. There is a large classroom, a sitting room, a dining hall and offices.

The goal behind establishing a training centre is to improve the management competencies of development practitioners at BRAC and to enhance the human and operational skills of the programme participants and development professionals. The specific objectives of the centre are:

• To develop and provide training courses for development practitioners and programme participants of BRAC in Tanzania
• To develop the capacity of other NGOs by providing needs-based professional training
• To extend appropriate support and facilities to other organisations for training, seminars and workshops

The centre is dedicated to building the capacity of our national staff and, in the future, other non-government organisations and the government. Activities of the centre include developing appropriate training curriculum and materials, implementing training programmes, organising non-training interventions for capacity development and developing local master trainers.