Assessment of the Implementation of the Open Performance Review Appraisal System in the Public Service in Tanzania”: The Case of Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF)

Workers' motivation is a key determinant of the quality of services they are providing in any organization, and poor motivation has been found to be an obstacle to service delivery in many low-income countries. In order to increase efficiency and productivity, the Open Performance Review and Appraisal System (OPRAS) has been implemented to PSPF under supervision of President’s Office-Public Service Management. The main objective of this study is basically to make assessment in the implementation of the OPRAS as it was originally planned and to identify any potential roadblocks, if any, that may be in the way of the system’s implementation. A qualitative study design has been employed to elicit data on PSPF workers whereby a case study approach was used. Purposive sampling and simple random sampling technique were applied respectively and a sample of 70 was involved. Quantitative data were processed through SPSS for data analysis and presenting the findings of the study. Also, questionnaires (open and closed questionnaires) and interview as data collection methods were used. The study found that OPRAS implementation at PSPF wasn’t effective due to improper initiatives to make it’s awareness over the entire organization by The PSPF administration and general reluctance by workers towards OPRAS implementation and operationalization as they didn’t see it leading to being a motivational tool and hence financial gains or give feedback on performance appraisal. I recommend that the whole process should be centrally controlled and monitored by the government, all staff be made aware of it, trained and participate fully and monitoring be conducted continuously so as to detect weaknesses and correct it