A Thesis/Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Public Administration (MPA) of Mzumbe University
The general objective of this study was to analyze the role of social security members in policy making using a case study of National Social Security Fund. This study was guided by the following specific objectives: to identify the role of members in policy making at NSSF; to determine how policy decisions are made; to assess the challenges of members’ participation in policy making.
This study adopted the descriptive design. The researcher used focus group discussion, self-administered questionnaires and observation. This method helped practical evidence to the study. Data analysis was done using both qualitative and quantitative techniques.
Concerning the role of members in policy making at NSSF; findings show that most members are not involved in policy making, rather they are involved in policy implementation, it was also found that the model used in policy making at NSSF was the top down model which does not favor participation of people at the bottom level.
About how policy decisions are made; findings revealed that the process of policy decision making involve especially intellectuals in top management and donors, it was also found that most of the respondents were not satisfied by the way policy decisions are made.
On matters concerning the challenges of members’ participation in policy making, one of the major challenges mentioned was awareness of social security policy. Most of NSSF members are not aware of the availability of social security policy. This is a problem since they can‘t participate in any stage due to lack of awareness which is due to ignorance. Another challenge mentioned was that the process of involving NSSF members takes a lot of time to get feedback.