2025 Guide to Health and Teacher Volunteer Programs [Salary and Remuneration]

Volunteering in Tanzania’s public institutions is more than an act of service — it’s a strategic move toward long-term career growth.

In 2025, the government has formalized two key volunteer programs: Health Volunteers and Teacher Volunteers.

These initiatives aim to bridge staffing gaps while offering graduates meaningful experience, basic financial support, and improved prospects for future employment.

This article compares the two programs using official guidelines and highlights remuneration, eligibility, responsibilities, and career benefits.

Why Volunteer in Government Institutions?

Tanzania continues to face workforce shortages in vital sectors such as health and education. To meet demand, the government provides structured volunteer opportunities to qualified citizens. Volunteering offers several benefits:

• Hands-on professional experience
• Modest monthly allowances to cover basic needs
• Priority consideration during public sector recruitment
• Opportunities to build networks and gain references

1. Remuneration (Mishahara) Comparison

Although these positions are volunteer-based, participants receive allowances tied to service levels. Here’s how the payment structure compares:

Volunteer Type	Service Level	Allowance	Payment Basis
Health Volunteers	National / Zonal Hospitals	50% of TGHS salary scale	Based on cadre and facility
	Regional Hospitals	50% of TGHS	TGHS
	District Hospitals	50% of TGHS	TGHS
	Health Centres / Dispensaries	50% of TGHS	TGHS
	Community Health Workers (CHWs)	30% of TGHS or equivalent	TGHS or partner-funded
Teacher Volunteers	Primary Schools	Up to TSh 250,000/month	Based on LGA budget
	Secondary Schools	Up to TSh 300,000/month	Determined by district councils

TGHS: Tanzania Government Health Scale

2. Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria to qualify for either program:

Criteria	Health Volunteers	Teacher Volunteers
Citizenship	Tanzanian with NIDA ID	Tanzanian with NIDA ID
Education	Diploma or degree in a recognized health field	Diploma or degree in Education
Professional License	Valid license from health council (e.g., MCT)	Registered with TSC or relevant authority
Age Range	18 – 60 years	18 – 60 years
Background Check	No criminal record	No criminal record
Placement Agreement	Must accept rural or underserved areas	Must accept rural school postings

3. Contract Terms and Service Duration

Volunteer agreements are formalized through contracts lasting 12 to 36 months, depending on need and sector.

Health Sector Volunteers:

• Must undergo orientation and medical screening
• Receive ongoing mentorship and quarterly evaluations
• Work under direct supervision of health professionals

Teacher Volunteers:

• Sign contracts through respective LGAs
• Are supervised by head teachers and ward education officers
• Receive performance reviews periodically

Note: Volunteering does not guarantee employment, but is recognized as a strong factor in recruitment selection.

4. Funding Sources

Allowances are drawn from various national and partner funding sources:

Sector	Primary Funding Sources
Health	NHIF, CHF, government budget allocations, donor partners, and NGOs
Education	Local Government Authority (LGA) budgets, community contributions, and NGOs

5. Roles and Responsibilities

Aspect	Health Volunteers	Teacher Volunteers
Daily Duties	Patient care, health education, lab work, support	Lesson planning, teaching, assessments
Ethics	Must follow clinical codes of conduct and protocols	Must comply with school rules and teacher conduct
Supervision	Technical supervisors at the facility	Head teacher, Ward Education Officer
Workload	Based on department/unit staffing needs	Based on allocated teaching timetable
Professional Growth	Clinical exposure, mentorship, references	Teaching experience, career exposure, letters of support

6. Summary of Key Differences

Feature	Health Volunteers	Teacher Volunteers
Allowance Model	Percentage of salary scale (TGHS)	Flat-rate amount (TSh 250,000–300,000)
Recruitment Body	Ministry of Health, PO-RALG	PO-RALG, District Education Offices
Recruitment Portal	MoH & PO-RALG Portals, Training Colleges	District offices via DEO or REO
Supervision	Facility HR and medical supervisors	Head teacher, Ward Education Officer

Conclusion: Which Program is Right for You?

Both volunteer tracks offer vital on-the-job experience and help fill critical staffing gaps in Tanzania’s public sector.

• If you are a health graduate, volunteering will place you in real clinical settings, building hands-on experience and improving your career visibility.
• If you are an education graduate, classroom volunteering sharpens your teaching skills and helps build a professional portfolio.

Mishahara ya Walimu wanaojitolea serikalini 2025 and health volunteer stipends are not salaries — but they provide foundational support while you grow your career.

Tips for Volunteers

• Maintain detailed records of your activities (e.g., logbooks, timesheets)
• Stay proactive during evaluations and supervision visits
• Be flexible and ready to serve in rural or hard-to-reach areas
• Monitor official job updates via www.jerasp.org

References

• National Health Workforce Volunteering Guidelines
• Mwongozo wa Kujitolea kwa Waalimu