PERMANENT SECRETARY

Prof. Sifuni Ernest Mchome, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Law of the University of Dar es salaam, Tanzania and a Bachelor of Law Degree, with honours (LL.B, Hons) from the same University. He otherwise holds a Master’s Degree in Law from Queens University in Ontario, Canada.

Prof. Mchome was the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (2013 -2015) before being appointed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, on 31st December 2016. Prior to the above positions, Prof. Mchome served, between 2010 and 2013, as the Deputy Executive Secretary and then the Executive Secretary at the Tanzania Commission for Universities.

His career in Public Service began in 1989 at the Attorney General’s Chamber, Arusha Zonal Office and, in 1990, he was shifted to the University of Dar es Salaam where he started working as Tutorial Assistant (1990-1992), Assistant Lecturer (1992-1997), Lecturer (1997-2001), Senior Lecturer (2001- 2006), and Associate Professor (2006 to todate). He also held various leadership positions in the School of Law including being Associate Dean –Administration (1997-2002), Head of Department - Civil & Criminal Law (2003 - 2006) and Dean (2006-2009).

During his time at the University of Dar es salaam, Prof. Mchome authored over 35 publications (including books, articles, research papers and reports), such as “Strengthening the Prosecution System in Tanzania” in Chirwa DM., et al, Accountable Government in Africa: Perspectives from Public Law and Political Studies, Juta, RSA, 2011; “Constitutional Developments in Tanzania: Implications of the Proposed 14th Amendments of the Union Constitution and other Developments with Constitutional Implications”, in Lawrence Mute, Constitutionalism in East Africa: Progress, Challenges and Prospects in 2004, Fountain Publishers, Kampala, 2007. “Is the Refugee Problem Ending?: A Historical Perspective”, Nyerere Law Journal, 2005; “A Cursory Look at the Refugee Policy and Legal Framework in Tanzania”, Eastern Africa Law Journal 2005; “Transformation of the Prosecution System in Tanzania: Concept Paper” paper prepared for the Attorney General’s Chambers, 2004. Prof Mchome has also facilitated numerous capacity building programmes for the Tanzania Police Force, Tanzania Prisons Service, Office of the Attorney General, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Judiciary of Tanzania, Social Welfare Department, to mention a few.

Prof Mchome, in his career, has undertaken several assignments, such as Team Leader in reviewing existing legislation and propose a legal framework to support the implementation of the national ID programme in Tanzania; Lead Facilitator in the Development of Training Curriculum and Manual on Gender for the Tanzania Police Force; Lead Facilitator in the Development of the Investigation General Instructions (IGIs) for Investigators in Tanzania; Lead Facilitator in Training Needs Assessments for Institutions Implementing the Commercial Dispute Resolution Component; Facilitator in the Review of the Government of Tanzania Initiatives to Promote and Protect Human Rights in Tanzania and Propose a Roadmap for the Development of the National Human Rights Plan of Action for; Lead Facilitator in the Revision of Police General Orders (PGOs) for the Tanzania Police Force; and Lead Facilitator in the Revision of the Prisons Standing Orders (PSOs) for the Tanzania Prisons Service; Technical Adviser, Streamlining and Civilianization of the Prosecution system in Tanzania and Design and Develop the National Prosecution Services Act for the prosecution system in Tanzania, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, as well as preparing Prosecution General Instructions (PGI’s) for Tanzania Mainland and Prosecution Manual for Zanzibar.

Prof. Mchome is also a recipient of the Fulbright Fellowship and the Madeline and Kevin R. Brine Charitable Trust Fellowship both of which enabled him to conduct post-doctoral research at the Centre on International Cooperation of the New York University in The United States of America in 2002 to 2003. He has also served in numerous Boards and Councils including the Board of the Tanzania Culture Trust Fund; University of Dar es salaam School of Law Board (UDSoL); Institute of Judicial Administration at Lushoto (IJA); the National Council for Technical Education (NACTE); Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF); and Tanzania Global Learning Agency (TaGLA).