1. Options to Overcome Challenges
Workshop on Decentralizing Civil Servants
Wednesday, 9 June 2004

2. What are the challenges?
Determining the ‘right’ degree of decentralization, and therefore what is appropriate in terms of administrative decentralization
Identifying the functions to devolve that are ‘doable’ or relatively easy, and offer the greatest impact
Balancing the need to devolve authority for staff to LGs with the need to preserve career opportunities for those transferred
Pushing ahead with concurrent civil service reforms at the center

3. Functions that tend to be devolved early (intermediate decentralizers)
More Important Functions
Less Important Functions
Promotion
Directing & supervising activities & tasks
Conducting evaluations
Controlling overall staff numbers
Transfers within LGs
Paying staff from its own budget
Recognition as the formal employer
These functions are arguably easier to do; while important, significant intervention may not be necessary for these to happen

4. Functions that only the strong decentralizers have devolved
More Important Functions
Less Important Functions
Controlling staff no’s in local offices & facilities
Authority to dismiss surplus staff
Ability to discipline/fire
Setting local hardship/ remote allowances
Authority to hire
Conclusion is that these four functions require the most attention and effort to achieve effective administrative decentralization

5. Challenge of horizontal mobility
Perhaps most institutionally challenging issue
In the cases, was a consistent concern of staff who had been decentralized
But it is also central to ability to attract & retain staff, especially at senior levels
The cases offered no clear empirical evidence for ways to address this satisfactorily
Possible options may include:
Standardized job descriptions, salary levels
Regional level civil service commissions
LG civil service cadres
Other?

6. Where does civil service reform fit?
In many cases, concurrent efforts at civil service reform at the center are trying to address: recruitment, career management, performance management
(Similarly, fiscal reforms may lead to greater financial flexibility)
The needs of decentralization may well speed up civil service reforms, but it is unrealistic to expect decentralized authority to outpace CS reforms at the center

7. Transitional issues & tools from the cases
Rapid assessment appraisals (Philippines, Indonesia)
Coordinating committees (Mexico, Philippines)
Local government associations (Philippines)
Recognition of excellence awards (Philippines)
Transitional provisions, such as temporary extension of payroll management (Philippines)