The Capacity Project is helping the Uganda Ministry of Health (MOH) to recruit health workers in four northern districts—Lira, Amoltar, Dokolo and Amuru.

To speed the hiring process, the MOH applied a shortlist technique developed in Kenya for the Capacity Project’s Emergency Hiring Plan. Learning from Kenya’s success, the MOH entered applicants’ names and qualifications into an Excel database to quickly see who had the appropriate qualifications for the open positions. Compared to the previous system of reviewing stacks of paper applications, this procedure significantly reduced time and effort required to hire new employees.

In addition, the MOH used the iHRIS Qualify system installed by the Project in the Nurses and Midwives Council to review applicants’ registration and licensing status before scheduling interviews—thus ensuring that new hires did not have falsified records and are in good standing with the Council. Uganda’s Health Workforce Advisory Board expressed appreciation for the tool’s ability to accelerate the hiring process. The MOH is considering using the shortlist and verification approach for all future hiring.

November 2008