Survey confirms the link between good governance and effective ethics management in the Public Service

According to the findings of a recent Ethics Officers survey, more interventions are still needed to institutionalise the role of Ethics Officers across national and provincial departments. The Ethics Officers survey findings, which were shared during an online workshop with Ethics Officers on 23 May 2023, also confirmed the strong relationship between the institutionalisation of the Ethics Officers’ roles and good governance.

At one of its meetings earlier this year, the Ethics Officers Forum called for prioritising the professionalisation of the role of Ethics Officers within the Public Service over the next three years. Towards this goal, the Department of Public Service and Administration’s (DPSA) Public Administration Ethics, Integrity, and Disciplinary Technical Assistance Unit (PAEIDTAU) undertook the first-ever survey of Ethics Officers in partnership with Cowater International through the Strengthening Ethics and Integrity Project (SEIP).

The survey, which Global Affairs Canada funded, was conducted among Ethics Officers across the South African Public Service. Its goal was to gather data regarding the responsibilities, skills, and work context of Ethics Officers across the national and provincial departments while identifying the challenges they encounter in their roles.

The exercise is a first-ever profile and analysis of the work of Ethics Officers. It provides valuable insights into the specific support Ethics Officers need to fulfil their professional responsibilities effectively.

A total of 352 questionnaires were sent to Ethics Officers in national and provincial departments, resulting in a response rate of 61%. The 216 Ethics Officers who responded to the survey shared crucial information on various topics. These included questions about reporting mechanisms, conflicts of interest, the performance of other remunerative work, lifestyle reviews, and risk management. The survey also assessed the extent of the support and protection that Ethics Officers enjoy within their respective departments.

Apart from sharing the findings of the Ethics Officers survey with the 125 participants, the 23 May 2023 workshop also served as a valuable platform for enriching the survey findings and developing concrete strategies and plans for addressing the identified challenges.

While the Ethics Officers survey was the first of its kind in the Public Service, its findings built upon, and complemented work previously undertaken by PAEIDTAU and partner organisations. The 2022 Public Sector Ethics Survey, among other issues, examined the governance status quo of departments where Ethics Officers are appointed viz-a-viz where there are no Ethics Officers. This research found a clear correlation between good governance and the appointment of an Ethics officer.

Combined, these interviews and surveys have provided a comprehensive view of the overall situation on ethics management and the role played by Ethics Officers. The main findings of the 2022 Public Sector Survey included the following:

• The technical and compliance responsibilities of the Ethics Officers are strong in contrast to their advisory capacity, which is limited,
• the need to institutionalise and professionalise the role of Ethics Officers ranked high among the needs identified, and
• there is a request to provide Ethics Officers with operational tools and training.

Recognising the benefits derived from a survey, the DPSA appreciates Ethics Officers’ commitment and active involvement in building an ethical culture for Public Service. Their efforts have significantly contributed to developing the Ethics Officer function and strengthening integrity within the Public Service.

PAEIDTAU will also be surveying the profile and needs of investigators in the Public Service in future. The envisaged survey is expected to provide important data on the responsibilities, operations, and work context of investigators involved in the Lifestyle Audit process.

According to the findings of a recent Ethics Officers survey, more interventions are still needed to institutionalise the role of Ethics Officers across national and provincial departments. The Ethics Officers survey findings, which were shared during an online workshop with Ethics Officers on 23 May 2023, also confirmed the strong relationship between the institutionalisation of the Ethics Officers’ roles and good governance.

At one of its meetings earlier this year, the Ethics Officers Forum called for prioritising the professionalisation of the role of Ethics Officers within the Public Service over the next three years. Towards this goal, the Department of Public Service and Administration’s (DPSA) Public Administration Ethics, Integrity, and Disciplinary Technical Assistance Unit (PAEIDTAU) undertook the first-ever survey of Ethics Officers in partnership with Cowater International through the Strengthening Ethics and Integrity Project (SEIP).

The survey, which Global Affairs Canada funded, was conducted among Ethics Officers across the South African Public Service. Its goal was to gather data regarding the responsibilities, skills, and work context of Ethics Officers across the national and provincial departments while identifying the challenges they encounter in their roles.

The exercise is a first-ever profile and analysis of the work of Ethics Officers. It provides valuable insights into the specific support Ethics Officers need to fulfil their professional responsibilities effectively.

A total of 352 questionnaires were sent to Ethics Officers in national and provincial departments, resulting in a response rate of 61%. The 216 Ethics Officers who responded to the survey shared crucial information on various topics. These included questions about reporting mechanisms, conflicts of interest, the performance of other remunerative work, lifestyle reviews, and risk management. The survey also assessed the extent of the support and protection that Ethics Officers enjoy within their respective departments.

Apart from sharing the findings of the Ethics Officers survey with the 125 participants, the 23 May 2023 workshop also served as a valuable platform for enriching the survey findings and developing concrete strategies and plans for addressing the identified challenges.

While the Ethics Officers survey was the first of its kind in the Public Service, its findings built upon, and complemented work previously undertaken by PAEIDTAU and partner organisations. The 2022 Public Sector Ethics Survey, among other issues, examined the governance status quo of departments where Ethics Officers are appointed viz-a-viz where there are no Ethics Officers. This research found a clear correlation between good governance and the appointment of an Ethics officer.

Combined, these interviews and surveys have provided a comprehensive view of the overall situation on ethics management and the role played by Ethics Officers. The main findings of the 2022 Public Sector Survey included the following:

•  The technical and compliance responsibilities of the Ethics Officers are strong in contrast to their advisory capacity, which is limited,
• the need to institutionalise and professionalise the role of Ethics Officers ranked high among the needs identified, and
• there need to provide Ethics Officers with operational tools and training.

Recognising the benefits derived from a survey, the DPSA appreciates Ethics Officers’ commitment and active involvement in building an ethical culture for Public Service. Their efforts have significantly contributed to developing the Ethics Officer function and strengthening integrity within the Public Service.

PAEIDTAU will also be surveying the profile and needs of investigators in the Public Service in the future. The envisaged survey is expected to provide important data on the responsibilities, operations, and work context of investigators involved in the Lifestyle Audit process.

*Article was written by Pleasure Matshego, Director: Ethics, Integrity, and Conduct Management, PAEIDTAU