Administrative Reform (Dr. Christopher Gan)

Public Sector Challenges Better and more efficient solutions Save resources Individual services for citizens and businesses Easier access to the public sector Increase transparency and access to information

Administrative Reform - Introduction Efficient administrative system is a necessary enabling institution for good governance and public service delivery It encompasses not just governmental system encompassing legislature, executive and judiciary, but also provides an interface between public and private sectors Efficient administration is essential for the functioning of not only the various segments of public sector and its interface with the government, but also the efficient functioning of private sector and its interface with the public sector including the government The role of administration is different in different societies and therefore, needs to be reformed in keeping with the changing role of the government.

Administrative Reform - Introduction An efficient, responsive, transparent and accountable public administration is the basic means through which government strategies to achieve the MDGs can be implemented. reducing the costs and improving the efficiency of the public administration frees resources for poverty reduction increasing transparency and eradicating corruption, fewer scarce resources will be misdirected away from poverty reduction a public administration that responds to the needs of citizens, ensures sustainability of MDG achievements. increasing the accountability of State institutions closes the democratic deficit, key to achieving the MDGs (Source: Jocelyn Mason, Policy Adviser, Public Administration and Civil Service Reform, IDG/BDP)

Administrative Reform – Introduction Administrative reform is a way, and not a final destination Administrative reform: Is a process For creating enabling environment; Should be tuned to meet challenges of development and globalization; Should adjust to changes in development strategy; Need to adapt to changing technology.

Administrative Reform - Introduction Administrative reforms are thus viewed as the primary vehicle for removing bottlenecks and for providing an efficient and effective delivery of service to the citizens The idea that government should “do more with less” in a context of tight budgets led to “first wave” administrative reforms

Administrative Reforms: Components and Processes

Rationale for Administrative Reform External Pressures: Impact of globalization and technological development Social and economic considerations are becoming even more complex Competition for international investment and economic growth increased external pressures Supportive government policies and efficient bureaucratic services were needed to bring the country to the stage where it could compete with others

Rationale for Administrative Reform Internal Pressures: Continual expansion of government organizations and extension of government activities without a clear perception of the outcome, which had led to redundancy and overlap in work and function Rapid increase in the number of government employees as a result of ad hoc responses to the external pressures described above, which required a high proportion of annual budget expenditures for personnel costs

Rationale for Administrative Reform Internal Pressures: Increasingly disconcerting issue of ‘brain drain’, the resignation of highly qualified civil servants to take up work in the private sector, which posed a threat to the future quality of the public service Inadequate compensation for public sector employees in general, and for the more senior levels in particular, when compared to remuneration attainable in the private sector, which had a demoralizing effect and was one cause of ineffective performance by civil servants

The Globalization Challenge Fragmentation of international politics vs. Integration of the global economy Knowledge replaces mass production as main source of national wealth Massive deficit in global public goods Global institutional adjustment New Development Paradigm Re-orientation of Development System Response

Reorient the Public Service A radical rethinking as well as a reassessment of the way we devise our policies and programmes A transformation in the way we deliver services to the public A change in the ‘mindset’ of public officers A comprehensive programme to develop innovative ways for service delivery, and A greater use of Information and Communication Technology

Reorient the Public Service Strategies for changes should not be too broad and radical, due to the fact that such strategies would not be successful Reform strategy should not be merely a cosmetic and superficial intervention in the framework of the existing system An optimal strategy should represent a selection of specific precisely determined changes, which can be realized in the existing circumstances (Source: Slobodan Dujiae, “Public Administration Reform Strategy in Montenegro, Podgorica, March 2003)

Administrative Reforms: Conclusions Every system and organization is operated by human being If people concerned do not fully understand the meaning and importance of reform, and if they do not change their mentality or consciousness, attitude and the culture, expected results may not be produced

Administrative Reforms: Conclusions The role of politicians will become more crucial and they will be forced to be more responsible for major decision-making under a new structure But they cannot do everything by themselves Civil servants cannot, of course, do everything by themselves, either. They need each other Cooperative relationship should be constructed between them, each sharing appropriate roles and responsibilities

Administrative Reforms in Cambodia The Government sees the many achievements under phase (1) to end-2001 of the Programme for Administrative Reform (PAR), as being the foundations for the next phases of the reform programme First Foundation is - Mechanisms to manage and motivate civil servants better are being implemented: New Remuneration System Computerized Payroll Workforce Control System Public Service Obligations and Ethics

Administrative Reforms in Cambodia Second Foundation is - “Mechanisms to manage change” Policies and Guidelines for PMG (Priority Mission Groups) are established PMGs will start with strategic change projects by councils and ministries Roll-out to others as ministries and councils are ready for implementation Third Foundation is - “Mechanisms to strengthen capacities and skills The Human Resource Development Strategy + Master Plan are being formulated The "Economic & Public Sector Capacity Building (EPSCB)" Project is about to be implemented Global Distance Learning Network (GDLN) is planned for early start-up

Administrative Reforms in Cambodia Fourth Foundation is - “Process improvement” Selected Back-Office processes are being streamlined and reinforced to accommodate deconcentration and decentralization needs Selected Front-Office service delivery processes are reviewed for streamlining and early deconcentration The Technical Decentralization and Deconcentration policies and programs are being formulated or updated (Source: H.E. Sok An, Speech, Consultative Group Meeting, Phnom Penh, 19—21 June 2002)