Two Approaches to Hiring
Tanzanian employers have two primary recruitment channels: traditional recruitment agencies and online hiring platforms. Each has strengths depending on the role, urgency, and volume of hiring.
Understanding the trade-offs helps you allocate your recruitment budget effectively.
Recruitment Agencies
**How they work:** You brief the agency on the role, they source and screen candidates, and present a shortlist. They handle advertising, initial interviews, and reference checks.
**Cost:** Typically 15-25% of the hired candidate's annual salary, paid upon successful placement.
**Best for:** - Executive and C-suite positions - Specialized roles (e.g., expatriate placements) - Confidential searches (replacing an incumbent) - Companies without internal HR capacity
**Drawbacks:** - Expensive for high-volume hiring - Limited candidate pool (their network only) - Slower process (2-6 weeks typical) - Less control over employer branding - Quality varies significantly between agencies
Online Platforms Like Nafasi
**How they work:** You post jobs directly, search CV databases, review applications, and manage the entire process through a dashboard.
**Cost:** Fixed subscription fee regardless of how many positions you fill — significantly cheaper per hire.
**Best for:** - High-volume hiring - Entry to mid-level positions - Roles where you want to manage the process directly - Building an employer brand through company profiles - Ongoing recruitment needs
**Advantages:** - Access to 50,000+ verified candidates on Nafasi - Proactive CV search — find candidates before they apply - Faster time-to-hire (days, not weeks) - Full control over screening and communication - Cost-effective for multiple hires
**When to combine both:** For critical senior hires, use an agency. For everything else, an online platform like Nafasi is faster, cheaper, and gives you more control.