Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU)

Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU) OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Ref……. PRESS RELEASE

PSRU CONDUCTS A ONE-DAY SYMPOSIUM ON PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM INITIATIVES FOR FINAL YEAR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

The PSRU, in the Office of the President conducted a one-day Symposium on Public Sector Reform initiatives, in collaboration with the Academic and Career Advisory & Counselling Services Directorate (ACACS), Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone (USL).

The Symposium was held on the 20th January 2016, at the Mary Kingsley Hall, Fourah Bay College. The objective of the symposium was to share with students from USL the progress being made in various areas within the Public Service, enabling them to interact with serving Civil Servants and Public Officers and also to engage in a Q&A session. 150 students were invited from Fourah Bay College (FBC), Institute of Public Administration (IPAM) and College of Medicine & Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS).

The occasion was Chaired by Mr Abdulai Bayraytay, from the Office of the Government Spokesman and several panellist including, the Director, PSRU; the Director, Performance Management Service Delivery Directorate in the Office of the Chief of Staff, (PMSD); the Director, Performance Management, Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) and Representatives from the Public Service Commission (PSC) and Cabinet Secretariat.

The University of Sierra Leone was represented by the Vice Chancellor, University of Sierra Leone; the Deputy Vice Chancellor, FBC; the Deputy Vice Chancellor, IPAM and the Provost, COMAHS.

The Symposium was sculpted around the Pay and Performance Project (P&PP) which supports the higher level goals identified in the Flagship Public Sector Reform Programme, namely improving competitiveness in pay, performance management and accountability and increase recruitment (and retention) of middle level and senior staff in the Sierra Leone Civil Service. In welcoming the panellists and students, Dr Taqui, Director, ACACS, explained the rationale behind the Symposium, and encouraged them to ask questions or seek clarification on any issue or concern. She said the symposium will also help potential graduates to make informed choices when seeking employment upon completion of their studies.

Dr (Mrs) Taqi, Director, ACACS making a statement

The Chairman, Mr Abdulai Baraytay in his opening statement informed the audience that the discussions will focus on updating them on public sector reforms and building their confidence needed to face the realities of employment in the public service in Sierra Leone. He urged the students to focus on their academic pursuits, so that they can give to the nation what is expected of them upon graduation. The Chairman also emphasised that the Symposium should be seen by students as a motivating tool to contribute towards national development. Cross – Section of members of the Panel. Mr Abdulai Bayraytay, making his opening Statement

Giving an update on Public Sector Reform, the Director, PSRU, Ms. Sidratu Koroma, said the objective of the reforms is to ensure a lean, motivated, efficient, accountable, and professional public service for improved service delivery. She emphasised that the Civil Service should not be seen as the last resort for employment but rather as a first point of call for graduates pursuing employment, adding that this Symposium will be the first in a series of such engagements with final year students throughout 2016.

Ms. Sidratu Koroma, Director PSRU, making her presentation

The Deputy Vice Chancellor, FBC, Professor Ekundayo Thompson thanked the PSRU for such a brilliant initiative of informing and motivating potential graduates of the ongoing developments in the Public Service. He encouraged the students to take their studies very seriously. Outlining various reform initiatives currently being undertaken by the University itself, he lamented that, due to falling standards resulting from outrageous malpractices in the West African Senior Secondary School Examination (WASSCE), the University will now be conducting its own entrance examinations for students to ensure that every new entrant meet its standards. The Deputy Vice Chancellor said this new system will help in admitting high calibre students into the University.

Professor E Thompson, Deputy Vice Chancellor, FBC addressing the audience Mr Daniel Braima, of the Public Service Commission (PSC) informed the audience that PSC has restricted itself to meet the daunting challenges of ensuring transparent and merit based recruitment process. He said the PSC has recruited hundreds of qualified and competent Sierra Leoneans into the Civil Service through a fair and credible process.

He encouraged the students after graduation to come forward and apply for positions for which they have requisite qualification without fear as jobs in the Civil Service are meant for qualified Sierra Leoneans - “After we shortlist you, you shortlist yourself”, he said.

Cross-section of students at the symposium

Various panellists spoke on the importance of Performance Management. The Director, Performance Management Service Delivery Directorate (PMSD), Office of the Chief of Staff (Mr Abdul Rahman Sowa) spoke on the importance of Performance Contracts, noting that Ministers and Senior Public Servants are obliged to sign Performance Contracts with his H.E the President in order to give account of their stewardship. He described the Performance Contracting process as a fair system which will enhance good governance.

Representing Human Resource Management Office (HRMO), the Director of Performance Management, Mr. Osman Conteh said they have signed Performance Contracts with senior Civil Servants (Permanent Secretaries and Professional Heads) and introduced the Individual Performance Appraisal System (IPAS) which was a vast improvement on the Annual Confidential Report to which the employee had little input. The IPAS will to enable Civil Servants to perform better and be accountable. This in turn he said will enhance efficient and effective service delivery.

Mr L.B.O Massaquoi, Assistant to the Secretary to the Cabinet explained the history of Performance Management as a system introduced after the 2002 elections, with the introduction of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, by which efforts were made to integrate strategic planning into the annual budgeting framework in order to create a results-based public expenditure management process. The presentations were followed by a lengthy interactive Q&A session during which students sought clarifications on various questions, including: How fair is the current PSCs recruitment process in filling vacancies in MDAs? which mechanism does the new ICT cadre have in place to train potential graduates? What is the HRMO doing to ensure that civil servants retire at the age of 60 years and allow younger people an opportunity to work?

These were ably answered by the relevant panellists. All the speakers underscored the timeliness of such initiative by the PSRU and encouraged the students to develop the passion to make their own contribution working in the public sector after graduation to enhance national development.

8 Wesley Street

Freetown

PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM UNIT (PSRU) OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Ref.N o.PSRU/04/15 PRESS RELEASE

Sierra Leone Pay and Performance Project - PSRU concludes a week long World Bank Implementation Support Mission and a 4-day training on Job Evaluation with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission of Ghana (GFWSC).

The Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU) concluded a week long Project assessment with the World Bank 7th Implementation Support Mission for the Sierra Leone Pay and Performance Project (P&PP). The Project supports the implementation of the Government’s flagship Public Sector Reform Programme, including three key components for the Civil Service, namely (i) Pay Reform (ii) Recruitment & Staffing and (iii) Performance Management and Accountability.

Meeting at Country Lodge with the World Bank; Fair Wages & Salaries Commission, Ghana; HRMO; KPMG L-R:and Kevin PSRU, Brown, during WB the Consultant; 7th WB Support Roberto Mission O. Panzardi, for the World Pay & BankPerformance Task Team Project, Leader 16th and – Benjamin20th March Osei, 2015 Consultant to the Fair Wages & Salaries Commission, Ghana The Support Mission held detailed discussions on project progress with the key Implementing Agencies – Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED), Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) - the Environmental Manager of the Civil Service – and other stakeholders including Office of the Chief of Staff and the Cabinet Secretariat, both of which focus on the Performance Management at different levels of the Public and Civil Service. Also involved in the assessment were the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, Ghana (GFWSC), which provides Quality Assurance on the Job Evaluation and Labour Market Survey being undertaken by KPMG.

The World Bank Support Mission, led by Mr Roberto Panzardi, commenced with a meeting at PSRU, Chaired by the Director, Ms Sidratu Koroma. The meeting confirmed Mission objectives/requirements and schedules and an introduction of the Fair Wages Commission which is responsible for setting pay for the public sector in Ghana.

The Mission included meetings with, inter alia, His Excellency The President, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, in which he welcomed the Support Mission and the GFWSC and assured them of Government’s commitment in ensuring successful implementation of the Project. The Mission also met with the Secretary to the President, Mr. Osho Coker, the Chief of Staff, Mr. Saidu Conton Sesay - and several other meetings with Implementing Agencies, namely, HRMO, PSC, Secretary to the Cabinet /Head of the Civil Service, MoFED, Accountant General’s Department, and KPMG, the Consulting firm for the Job Evaluation and Labour Market Survey. Detailed discussions took place on the progress of the Project.

A Wrap–up Meeting with all Implementing Agencies was held on 20th March, hosted by PSRU. Dr. Ernest Surrur, Secretary to the Cabinet & Head of the Civil Service making a contribution in a meeting on the Rapid Results Initiative with the WB Mission

The Mission was followed by a 4-day training on Job Evaluation organised in collaboration with HRMO and facilitated by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, Ghana. The Job Evaluation is a sub-component under the Pay Reform.

The need for additional training on Job Evaluation was identified during the Support Mission. The training session, which took place 13th -16th April 2015 was conducted by the GFWSC at the the Civil Service Training College. The training, which comprised of 50 participants from key Implementing Agencies and over 20 MDAs, introduced participants to new skills and concepts relating to Job Evaluation. The trainees will serve as Job Analysts and “Champions” for the Job Evaluation exercise.

The training event was climaxed by the awarding of certificates of Participation to the newly trained Job Analysts. Mrs Georgiana Kamara, Director Management Services, HRMO receiving her certificate from Mr George Smith –Graham and Mrs Eva Addo of the GFWSC at the end of the training

Participants from HRMO and PSC sharing knowledge in a group session during the training, at the Civil Service Training College

The Commission paid a courtesy call to the Director-General of National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), Mr Joseph Mans. The D-G, welcoming the visitors to Sierra Leone, noted the long history of support from the Ghanaian Government in sending experts to help Sierra Leone establish and build key institutions such as NASSIT, National Revenue Authority and now the Job Evaluation, a critical component in Pay Reform. .

Courtesy call to NASSIT – L-R Ghana Fair Wages and Salaries Commission; D-G NASSIT, Mr Joseph Mans; Director, PSRU, Ms Sidratu Koroma; DD-G NASSIT, Mr Amara Kuyateh; Shahid Korjie and Haroun Sherriff of PSRU.

PSRU 8 Wesley Street Freetown PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM UNIT (PSRU)

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Ref.No.PSR U/09/15

PRESS RELEASE

Sierra Leone Pay and Performance Project - PSRU concludes a week long 8th World Bank Implementation Support Mission and Donation of Equipment to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) (27th August – 2nd September 2015)

The Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU), in the Office of the President has concluded a week long Project assessment with the World Bank 8th Implementation Support Mission for the Sierra Leone Pay and Performance Project (P&PP).

The Mission included meetings with Implementing Agencies including, inter alia, the Director General, Human Resource Management Office (HRMO), the Chairman, Public Service Commission (PSC), the Cabinet Secretary and Head of Civil Service and the Ministry of Finance. The Mission also held meetings with KPMG, the Consultant conducting the Job Evaluation & Labour Market Survey for the Sierra Leone Civil Service. The overarching objective of these meetings was to discuss in detail the progress of the Project.

The Pay &Performance Project supports the implementation of the Government’s Flagship Public Sector Reform Programme, including three key components for the Civil Service, namely (i) Pay Reform (ii) Recruitment & Staffing and (iii) Performance Management and Accountability.

The USD $17 Million Project has so far contributed USD $7.5 Million to the Government’s Consolidated Fund through the achievement of Disbursement Linked Indicators.

During the Mission, a presentation ceremony was held at PSRU, at which the Project donated office equipment – comprising 1 desktop computer, 1 printer with cartridges, 1UPS printer - to twenty-six MDAs for their Monitoring and Evaluation, Human Resource and/or Communications functions. Beneficiaries included all the Line Ministries and the 3 Provincial Secretaries offices. The significance of this donation is to support planning and communications in MDAs to provide effective and efficient service delivery of their mandates. Heads of the Key Implementing Agencies (IAs) including the Chairman, PSC; the Accountant- General, and the World Bank -Project Task Team Leader were all present to grace this astonishing occasion at the PSRU Conference room. Heads of other IAs were also well – represented. Keynote Statements were made, calling on MDAs to use their equipment judiciously.

The World Bank Support Mission, led by Task Team Leader Mr Roberto Panzardi, commenced with a meeting at PSRU, Chaired by the Director, Ms Sidratu Koroma. The meeting confirmed Mission objectives and included a review of the Aide Memoire from the last Mission and summary updates of all aspects of the Project. Discussions also centred on possible extension of the Pay and Performance Project.

Cross-section of participants at the Rapid Results Initiatives (RRI) Review meeting, the Hub Hotel, 2nd September 2015

Madam Sidratu Koroma, Director, PSRU handing over sets of equipment to Mr S. Roberto Panzardi, World Bank Task Team Leader, handing over sets of equipment to Kelfalla Human Resource officer, from the Ministry of Health & Sanitation Mr. U. Kamara, IT Officer, from the Ministry of Sport Mr Umaru Conteh, Director, Employee Welfare, HRMO handing over sets of L.B.O Masssquoi, Assistant Secretary to Cabinet, CabSec handing over sets of equipment to Mr. Morrision Gboyer from Ministry of Water Resources equipment to Mr Emmanuel Greywoode, CTO, from Ministry of Education, Science and Technology

Dr Ernest Surrur, Secretary to Cabinet & Head of Civil Service making a statement at the Rapid Result Initiative (RRI) meeting, 2nd In September 2015

another development, a Rapid Result Initiative (RRI) review meeting was held on the 2nd September 2015 at the Hub Hotel. The meeting comprised of different teams from various Implementing Agencies. The purpose of the Rapid Result review was for the teams to share information on the progress made so far in the implementation of their RRI Workplans for Communications, Performance Management, Recruitment and staffing and Payroll Integrity) and challenges encountered. A key contribution made by Dr Surrur, Secretary to Cabinet and Head of Civil Service was that one way to improve the payroll integrity is to display staff lists in each Government building so that all staff will be able to monitor the list in case of anomalies. The output was for the teams after frank discussions to come out with updated work plans to accomplish their DLIs. This was achieved by the end of the meeting.

The PSRU and World Bank are currently finalising the Aide Memoire, which will be published in due course.

PSRU 8 Wesley Street Freetown