As part of ongoing public sector reforms to professionalise and strengthen its public service, the Department of Public Service and Administration has announced the implementation of the Human Resource Business Partnering (HRBP) model across various government departments. This new approach is informed by the new Human Capital Strategy for the Public Service approved in March 2024 and follows the South African National Human Resource Standards set by the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP). The aim is to transform the way human resources (HR) services are delivered, fostering a more collaborative and impact-driven relationship between HR and the wider organization.
The HRBP model is designed to address key objectives, including:
- Ensuring timely, consistent, and quality delivery of HR services
- Supporting the effective management of human capital to enable the achievement of organizational goals
- Providing expert guidance on labour laws, HR policies, and best practices
- Establishing robust HR record-keeping and data management systems
- Measuring employee satisfaction with HR service delivery
- Furnishing management with relevant HR data and insights
Central to the HRBP model are the roles of the HR Business Partners, who will serve as change agents, driving the evolution of HR systems and processes and elevating HR to a strategic level. These HRBPs will act as the primary liaison between internal stakeholders and the HR administration, providing a comprehensive, one-stop HR service across all branches within the DPSA.
“The HRBP model will help us align HR initiatives with our public service goals, boost employee engagement, and enhance workforce capabilities to meet current and future challenges,” said the Acting Deputy Director General of Human Resource Management and Development at the DPSA, Mr Nyiko Mabunda. “By fostering closer collaboration between HR and departmental leaders, we aim to elevate the strategic role of HR and enable the delivery of a capable and ethical public service.”
The implementation of the HRBP model will commence with a pilot phase, targeting selected government departments, including the Departments of Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (DPME), Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DLRRD) as well as the Offices of the Premier in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and the Eastern Cape. During this phase, the DPSA will focus on establishing strategic partnerships, implementing core HR initiatives, and monitoring the effectiveness of the HRBP model through key performance indicators and regular feedback mechanisms.
Following the pilot’s conclusion, the DPSA will conduct a thorough review to assess the outcomes against the initial objectives, refine the model as necessary, and develop a tailored strategy for scaling the HRBP approach across other government departments. The ultimate goal is to create a capable and ethical public service
