Our Team - REPOA

REPOA’s organisational structure consists of the Annual General Meeting (AGM); the Board of Directors; and REPOA staff. Below are the profiles of the REPOA staff.

Dr. Donald Mmari

Executive Director

Dr. Mmari is an economist with vast experience in development policy analysis, socio-economic research, and institutional development. He holds a PhD from the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam, an MBA from the University of Oregon and an MA (Economics) from the University of Dar es Salaam. He has been actively involved in the preparation of national development policies, including National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty, the Natural Gas Policy of Tanzania in 2012 and the Second Five Year Development Plan in 2015/16. He has published articles, working papers, policy briefs, and research reports on the extractives sector, manufacturing, governance, social protection, and on export competitiveness of agricultural commodities. He has actively engaged the preparation of Tanzania poverty and human development reports from 2001 to 2011. Dr. Mmari has an immense economic policy and management experience accumulated over the years of his various positions within REPOA and outside, and membership in the Board of Directors of public entities. He is currently the Executive Director of REPOA.

Dr. Jamal Msami

Director of Strategic Research

Dr. Jamal has been involved in policy research and design for ten years. He currently heads our Directorate of strategic research focusing on governance and service delivery; industrialisation, employment and enterprise development. He has publications in the fields of public service reforms, industrial and trade policies. He is currently working on the nexus between political settlements and policy delivery in fiscally constrained settings; corrupt business-government relationships and strategies for supporting the emergence of new firms through ‘primitive accumulation’; and a review of trade competitiveness and diversification policies and practices in Tanzania. Jamal maintains an active interest in comparative historical analyses, new institutionalism, and applied social policy. He holds a PhD in Social Policy from the University of Bristol, England.

Dr. Lucas Katera

Director of Collaborations & Capacity Building

Dr Katera is an Economist with practical experience on research and policy analysis particularly in the areas of poverty, public policy, governance and service delivery. He has worked and published intensively on Local Government in areas of service delivery; finance and financial management; and governance and accountability. In his recent assignment, Dr. Katera is a team leader of researchers working on the World Bank Service Delivery Indicators (SDI) survey, research that benchmarks health and education indicators for future impact assessment. The survey is being conducted in Seven African Countries. In addition, Dr. Katera is a team member of the five years research programme on “Tanzania as a future Petro State”. This is collaborative research between REPOA and Christian Michelsen Institute (CMI) of Norway. He is leading a team working on the Governance component. Currently, he is a Director of Collaborations and Capacity Building at REPOA.

Vicent Massam

Director of Finance and Administration

Mr. Massam is a Fellow member of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) and a Certified Public Accountant in Tanzania (CPA(T) registered with both the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Tanzania National Board of Accountants and Auditors (NBAA). He holds an MBA in Corporate Management from Mzumbe University and a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from the University of Dar es Salaam. He also holds a leadership certificate issued by Plan International in collaboration with Harvard University. He is an accomplished finance and operations leader with more than 18 years of experience in managing various donor funded projects through INGOs and other multilateral agencies, such as the USAID, CDC and PEPFAR (both in Contracts and Cooperative Agreements). He has similar work experience in other multilaterals, including NORAD, European Union, Global Sanitation Fund (GSF), Global Affairs Canada, SIDA, UNICEF, UNHCR, and FCDO. He is well versed in financial operations management, budget planning and oversight, financial reporting, risk management, compliances, strategic planning and management, and training of financial, accounting, and administrative staff. He has more than 8 years auditing experience with a global audit firm, where he grew through the ranks from an Audit Assistant to a fully-fledged Audit Manager. Mr. Massam is currently a Director of Finance and Administration at REPOA.

Dr. Hilda Mwakatumbula

Senior Researcher

Hilda is an ICT Economist with over ten years of experience in socio-economic and public policy research. She has a PhD degree from Waseda University – Japan, majoring in ICT Economics, Business, and Policy Analysis. Before joining REPOA, she was working as the Postdoctoral researcher at the Centre for Behaviour Science, Department of Economics – University of Dar es salaam. For the past ten years, Hilda had been working as part of the research teams for different donor-funded projects, including the ICT Access and Usage Survey – 2017 funded by the International Development Research Center (IDRC) of Canada and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), as field manager.

Dr. Hubert Shija

Senior Researcher

Hubert graduated from Aberystwyth University, UK with a PhD in Librarianship, and from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania with an MA in Information Studies and a BA with Education. His research interests are information society, application of modern Information and communication technology (ICT), information management, citizen engagement and diffusion of innovations. He taught in secondary schools and worked with the British Council Dar es Salaam library. He managed the REPOA Resource Centre before assuming a research role. He has been a member of research projects teams like Growth and Economic Opportunities for Women (GrOW) and Transition from School to Work: Youth Skills and Unemployment.

Dr. Jane Mpapalika

Senior Researcher

Jane is a macro-economic modeler with solid hands-on local and international research experiences in policy research and analysis for over 10 years. Her main specialty is Fiscal policy. Other areas of experience are governance, gender, financing instruments climate change, and the environment. She graduated with a Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa in 2018, M.A. in Economics at the Leeds University Business School in the UK in 2010, and a B.A. in Economics from St. Augustine University of Tanzania in 2008. She is currently working as a Senior Researcher in the Capacity Building and Collaboration Department at REPOA. REPOA is one of Tanzania’s main think tanks mandated to influence policy through evidence-based research and policy dialogues. Prior to REPOA, she represented Tanzania at the regional level as a UN Young Professional at the UN Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Dr. Constantine George

Senior Researcher

Constantine holds a PhD holder in Development Studies from UDSM, Tanzania, serves as a Senior Researcher at REPOA. His expertise lies in Educational Planning, Management, and Administration, while his PhD research focused on the formalization of street vendors’ businesses in Dar es Salaam. With prior teaching experience at UDSM and Ruaha Catholic University, he presently delves into various projects, including the taxation of the informal sector in Tanzania and Uganda, urban street traders’ studies, and post-harvest losses in local markets.

Rehema Losiru

Principal Accountant

Rehema joined the institution in 2006 as an accountant with experience from the British Council from 2001 -2006 in a position of Finance Assistant. She is a qualified accountant holding CPA qualification from the NBAA (National Board of Accountants and Auditors- Tanzania). She also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Tax Management from the Institute of Finance Management (IFM) in 2006. Among her duties in the finance unit, is processing payment/transactions from regular organization activities by ensuring the necessary controls as per accounting manual are adhered to, prepare various reports like donor report (as per donor requirement), quarterly financial reports and annual reports including audited accounts as per IFRS.
During her stay at REPOA, she attended a capacity building training on Risk management, Pasted Accounting training, and some other small ones to enrich her performance.

Cornel Jahari

Researcher

Cornel is a Social Scientist with enormous experience in doing surveys. He holds a Master of Arts Degree in Development Studies specialized in Social Policy for Development from Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands. He also possesses a Postgraduate Diploma in Policy Analysis from the Institute of Social Studies, Netherlands, and a Bachelor Degree in Economics from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He has over fifteen years of practical experience in survey design, data collection and data processing for both qualitative and quantitative and he undertakes analytical work. In his engagement with REPOA as a Researcher and Field Manager, he has been working on various assignments including writing technical and financial research proposals, developing questionnaires, training fieldworkers, supervising surveys, developing data entry packages, conduct data cleaning, and management, data analysis as well as fieldwork and research report writing. He has published research reports, working papers and policy briefs on areas of child born out of wedlock, maternal health care as well as on oil and gas sector.

Vincent Nalwendela

Senior Communications Officer

Vincent is a Strategic Communications expert, with practical experience in outreach and policy engagement with demonstrated impact on the use of new media for effective dissemination efforts. He commands over 17 years of progressively responsible experience in designing and executing a strategic communications plan in a complex institution with varied priorities and stakeholders. Having served at a diplomatic mission, private sector, INGO, and at the UN, he has “hands on” experience on digital strategy for policy engagement, with primary ownership of the Content Management Systems (CMS) pushing online content on websites and social media channels. He has a demonstrated appetite for innovation, eagerness to continue to learn as new media options evolve. Currently, as REPOA’s Senior Communications Officer he edits, oversees the publication of research outputs, along with drafting other external contents such as press releases, media notes, and branding for the dissemination events.

Jacqueline Mapesa

Finance & Administration Officer

Jacqueline holds an MBA in Corporate Management, and a bachelor degree in Accounting & Finance in Public Sectors – both from Mzumbe University. She also holds a CPA (T) offered by the National Board of Accountants and Auditors (NBAA). She previously worked as a Cost Controller with Kunduchi Beach Hotel and Resort in Dar es Salaam. She later joined Uongozi Institute as an Intern from 2016-17 before joining REPOA.
Jacqueline is familiar with Quick Books, Accounting packages like SUN Financial System, Exact Globe, Enterprise Asset Management (EAM), Interact Data Store (IDS), Micro Opera and Spreadsheet. Her areas of expertise include Routine Accounting Tasks, Budgeting, Financial Reporting and Accounting, Cash and Payroll Management.

Stephen Mwombela

Researcher

Stephen has been with REPOA since August 2011. He has gained valuable experience in Tanzania as well as abroad in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. This experience has provided him with the diverse knowledge that spans many subjects and disciplines including policy analysis, economics, politics/government, international relations, international development, public administration, education, telecommunication, and customer service. Stephen has attended numerous training workshops, seminars, and conferences concentrating on issues such as governance, service delivery, oversight, and accountability. Stephen possesses excellent analytical, research, and communication skills both written and verbal. Stephen attained Bachelor degrees from the University of the District of Columbia (in Washington, DC) in Economics and Political Science (both cum laude – with honours) and a Masters of Public and International Affairs – MPIA from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs – GSPIA (at the University of Pittsburgh, in Pennsylvania, USA), where his focus was on the Global Political Economy, Policy Analysis, and International Development. His areas of interest include Policy Analysis, Governance, Development, Public Policy, International Affairs, and Political Economy.

Jofrey Amanyisye

ICT Administrator

Jofrey is the Information Technology scientist specializing on ICT management with additional training on Knowledge and Information Systems Management. His research interests include ICT and Development, Information and Knowledge Management Systems, ICT Governance and research on Social Economic Development. He was among the initiators of the Tanzania Governance Notice Board (TGN) which gives information about financial and governmental accountability to the general public. Jofrey also participated in the development and implementation of the Tanzania Social Economic Database (TSED). The key areas of his competencies include working in a complex IT environment and supporting multi-servers on Unix and Windows Operating system networks. He designs and conducts quantitative and qualitative research in ICT, and social services delivery; Practical competence in use and application of various computer packages.

Godliver Manumbu

PA to the Executive Director

Ms. Godliver Manumbu is a Sociologist, with a BA in Sociology from the Open University of Tanzania and a post-graduate qualification from the University of Cape Town (UCT). Her major work experiences centres around workplace organizational development (ODs): Training and Development with a focus on behavioral change, Decision Making Processes, Coaching, and Mentorship, Talent Management, Organizational Culture and improved learning and growth Support Structures (SS). She also carries workplace experiences in Community Relations Management: Project Management from inception to closure and sustainable handing over of the project, Monitoring, and Evaluation, Budgeting, Social Cohesion, Grievances Management, Conflict Management, Social Systems Management, Social Obligations compliances and community preparedness and awareness skills.

Thadeus Mboghoina

Researcher

Thadeus holds a Master’s Degree in Development Economics and a Bachelor’s of Science in Statistics. He has over 13 years of work experience in policy research. His areas of interest include social protection, rural livelihood, and agriculture transformation. Over the years he has been engaged in various stages of undertaking research, thereby building strong competence in data collection, management, and data analysis. Some of his research work has focused on input subsidies, crop production and agriculture productivity, post-harvest losses, and food security. His current research work also relates to the role of cash transfer programs in promoting education outcomes.

Amani Sanga

Librarian

Amani is a professional in the field of library and information studies with more than thirteen years. He holds a Diploma of Library and Information Studies from the School of Library, Archives and Documentation Studies (SLADS) in 2004, Bachelor of Arts in Library and Information Studies pursued at Tumaini University Dar es Salaam College (TURDARCo) in 2009. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration specializing in Human Resource Management from the University of Iringa. Amani graduated for a Master of Arts Degree in Information Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam.

Prof. Paschal Mihyo

Senior Visiting Research Fellow

Paschal Mihyo is Professor of Politics and Administrative Studies with LL.B., LL.M and a Ph.D. in public law from the University of Dar es Salaam. He is a Senior Visiting Research Fellow at REPOA in Tanzania. He was Executive Director of the Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA) from 2008 to 2014. Between 1988 and 2004 he taught at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) in The Hague where he was also Dean of Studies between 1992-1995. From April 2004 to September 2005, he was Director of Research and Programs at the Association of African Universities in Accra, Ghana, after which he joined the University of Namibia as Professor of Politics and Administrative Studies. He also served as Coordinator of the African Technology Policy Network (ATPS) and Director of Higher Education at the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR) both in Nairobi. He has published and co-edited thirteen books and more than 40 journal articles on law, public sector reforms, parliaments, and politics in Africa.

Diana Mutta

Events Management Officer

Diana is an administrative professional with a Bachelor of Administration in International Relations, Public Administration (Hons.) and Master of Philosophy in Multidisciplinary Human Rights from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. She has vast work experience ranging from being a Protocol Intern at the UNICTR, Personal Assistant to the Egyptian Ambassador, to working as a receptionist/visa officer at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea. Diana also interned at International IDEA as a junior researcher in Pretoria. She is knowledgeable on drafting note verbales, foreign policy analysis, and organizing meetings. As an Administrative Assistant at GIZ, Diana served as a digital scout promoting digitalization. Currently Diana coordinates meetings hosted by REPOA, carrying out all administrative duties, producing spreadsheets, managing spending, and problem-solving during the events.

Ahmed Ndyeshobola

Senior Visiting Research Fellow

Ahmed Ndyeshobola is an Economist with over 30 years of practical experience on policy analysis, socio-economic research and on institutional development and governance with explicit focus on, inter alia, public finance management, monetary policy, investment, private sector development. As a member of the World Bank-IMF team on Tanzania’s structural adjustment programme had extensive practical work on fiscal and monetary policies and adjustments. As a programme manager at the African Development Bank directed the Bank’s development research effort, resource mobilization and effective dissemination of the research outputs to the African member states and partners. As a Senior Expert on Global Economics and Finance at the General Secretariat of the ACP Group had extensive practical and research experience on finance, resource mobilization and investment, and development cooperation between the 79 ACP States and the EU. As the Senior Advisor to the IMF Executive Director and member of the IMF Executive Board has extensive practical experience on fiscal, monetary and investment adjustment policies; and lending and policy support instruments and the related macro-economic management. As the managing director of the ACP-EU TradeCom II had extensive experience on economic governance, competitiveness and investment, development challenges and respective national and regional responses. As a senior visiting research fellow at REPOA undertakes practical and beneficiary targeted research on public finance management, economic transformation, and business environment.

Shani Kahelo

Monitoring & Evaluation Officer

Shani is the Monitoring & Evaluation Officer responsible for designing, planning, tracking, reporting, and the management of the institutional performance metrices. She has over seven years of practical experience in international development, with a huge chunk of it been dedicated to monitoring and evaluation of projects. Prior to joining REPOA, she worked with the World Vision Tanzania (WVT), International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Search for Common Ground (Search) serving under various projects such as Education; Food and Nutrition; Gender, and People with Disability, as well as Youth in peace-building context. Shani holds a master’s degree on Monitoring and Evaluation from the Open University of Tanzania and is a member of Tanzania Evaluation Association (TaNEA).

Caroline Sekule

Office Management Officer

Caroline supports the office logistics management, front office, as well as handling of conferences, and workshops. She is a dedicated office administrator with many years of experience, also having supported on Human Resources and administrative matters, as well as operations and logistics portfolios with some reputable international and local organisations.
She holds a diploma in Information Technology, and a certificate in Microsoft Certified System Engineering from Soft Tech Consultants Ltd; ordinary diploma in Human Resources Management from the Institute of Social Work in Tanzania; a certificate in Protocol and Public Relations from the Centre for Foreign Languages; and a certificate in Customer Care from the Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE).

Derick Msafiri

Researcher

Derick is a research economist passionate about data-driven and policy-oriented research. He has a strong analytic capacity with strong proficiency in the use of Stata and SPSS. His research interests include (but not limited to) development economics, public finance, poverty and inequality. He has successfully published several research reports, journal articles and policy briefs in reputable regional platforms. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in applied economics, both from the University of Dar es Salaam.