The Public Service Commission (PSC) has updated the Guide on Governance Practice for Executive Authorities (EAs) and Heads of Department (HoDs), which will serve as an important source of reference as the 7th Administration settles.
The Guide provides a simplified reference source for EAs and HoDs on processes and procedures that are essential to promote good governance and performance in the public service and to contribute to the realisation of the mandate of government.
On the latest edition of their Bulletin- The Pulse of the Public Service, which they use as a platform to brief public servants and citizens on a quarterly basis, the PSC said it covers work emanating from the PSC’s mandate and further provides reference to other critical sources of information from other departments.
According to the PSC, the Guide does not replace, but supplements Guides and Manuals issued by The Presidency, the Department of Public Service and Administration, the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and the National Treasury.
The PSC is also encouraging EAs, HoDs and public servants to familiarise themselves with the contents of the Guide which is available on their website PSC_Guide_on_Governance_Practice_for_EAs_and_HODs.pdf.
Since the May 29 General Elections are over, the PSC anticipates that the macro-organization of government will require a strong political-administrative interface.
This transition according to the Commission should not compromise service delivery to the citizens but help stabilise leadership of departments to maximise human potential to capacitate departments and deliver services to the citizens.
The PSC said the interface of the two complementary functions – political and administrative – is often a site of much strife.
Given its observation, the PSC emphasizes that political leaders set the broad development agenda and accounting officers advise and deploy the policy tools towards its attainment.
The commission said the role of the political leaders concerns the ‘what’ while that of the administrative leaders concerns the ‘how’.
“In this context, there exists a shared project between both sets of leaders. This division of labour is such that political leaders treat bureaucrats as professionals who will use their technocratic expertise to devise the policy tools to achieve broad development goals set by the former.
“Effective governance requires a professionalised state, which means that the public service should be staffed by competent and dedicated professionals.
“The new administration has a responsibility of recruiting and retaining talented individuals, investing in their training and development, and fostering a culture of excellence within government institutions.
“A professionalised state is better equipped to provide essential services, stimulate economic growth, and address the needs of its citizens.
“By prioritising professionalism, the government can lay the foundation for sustainable progress and inclusive development,” said the PSC.
