The Role of Liberians and Liberianologists in the Diaspora in Human Capacity Building in the New Liberia C. William Allen, Ph.D. Director-General Civil Service Agency Republic of Liberia

Statement of the Problem Liberias prolonged conflict had a devastating impact on institutional and human capacity and the economy A Brain drain and lack of training for those who remained in country are key, twin causes of the severe capacity deficit the country currently faces The Civil Service has remained weak, dysfunctional and thus ineffective

Toward a sustainable solution Turning the Brain Drain into a Brain Gain Massive skills training, capacity building & capacity enhancement for professionals and semi-professionals on the ground Comprehensive Civil Service Reform Government policies that address long standing structural and systemic problems that impede service delivery to ordinary Liberians.

Program Options Liberia Emergency Capacity Building Support Project (LECBSP) Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals (TOKTEN) Senior Executive Service (SES) Customizing your own program to fit into the effort toward national reconciliation, reconstruction, nation building and sustainable development.

TOKTEN Transfer of knowledge through expatriate nationals Part of United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Government of Liberia (GoL) multi-pronged capacity development initiatives Intended to facilitate the recruitment of at least 20 expatriate nationals professionals and 15 local professionals

In essence, under the TOKTEN expatriate Liberian professionals are facilitated to return to Liberia for a limited length of time (one month to 18 months) to temporarily fill key posts in different sectors and institutions. During their posting, they build capacity in the receiving institution and sectors in which they are active.

TOKTEN Continued Participants are paid US$3,500 per month and a round trip economy class air ticket (US$2,500 for those recruited locally) There is a Project Coordinator housed at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs Run by a Project Implementation Committee (MPEA, UNDP, MoS, GRC, CSA) Program cost is about US$2.1 million

Senior Executive Service [SES] The SES concept derives from an understanding of Liberias desired development outcomes and strategic goals as set out by the new government. Liberia desires as its ultimate development outcome sustainable human development. The SES is a key component of the overall Civil Service Reform Strategy of the Government of Liberia

Objectives of the SES Strengthen the executive management of government institutions through the injection of 100 top notch professionals able to spearhead and manage change in the public sector Reform the administrative systems and procedures for effective human resource management with emphasis on merit, performance, service culture and result orientation Advance the overall reform and development agenda of Government by strategically placing SES personnel in line ministries and agencies

SES Continued Three-year program after which it will fold into the civil service Will cost about US$9.7 million Clear implementation, monitoring and evaluation strategies Clear definitions of levels and areas to be covered Clear roll out and exit strategies

Customizing your own program Liberian Professionals and Liberianologists in the Diaspora can consider spending summer months teaching under the TOKTEN Sabbaticals and Leaves of Absences Can write grants to support projects in Liberia Sister university relationships…

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