1. Strengthening Human Resource Management Systems by Tim Martineau (T.Martineau@liv.ac.uk) Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK Human Resources for Health Knowledge Hub Inaugural Forum on Human Resources for Health in the Asia and Pacific Regions Sydney, 8 th and 9 th April 2010

2. HRH is a major bottleneck to achieving MDGs and other health goals

3. Much effort it being put into scaling up the workforce

4. We need effective HRM systems to make new investments sustainable

5. We urgently need to be able to analyse the current problems and design better HRM systems

6. Systems concepts

7. The system and its components

8. Policy to outputs (& outcomes) Workforce with appropriate skills for the job

9. But to outsiders HRM systems can appear very opaque or unsystematic

10. Mapping processes e.g. promotion Source: Human Resources Development and Strategic Plan 2005-2025 (Lesotho)

11. Additional components of the whole system

12. Looking at HR functions as adaptive systems InputOutput Standards CompareTake action Process

13. The system and the environment

14. Does the system contribute to the wider purpose? InputOutput Process Standards Outcome/ Purpose Standards

15. Integration with other HRM systems Job descriptions Performance Appraisal Recruitment & selection

16. Integration with wider health system

17. Other contextual factors Labour market Economic situation +++

18. ‘Human activity’ systems

19. systems to influence human behaviour will have incentives and sanctions included

20. I can’t find your file! Good systems can be distorted

22. Potential application of systems approach in HR

23. Monitoring implementation

24. Checklist for a systems approach What is the system meant to produce (output)? To what standards? Does this system contribute to an improved health workforce (and health service)? How? How do I know the system is working (compare)? What action can be taken? (inputs, process or standards) Is the problem with the policy, or with the system for implementing it?

25. Systems improvement

26. Filling a vacancy can be a complex business! Source: Report of the Joint Design Mission to the Kenyan Health Sector, 2007.

27. Hiring process for the US Department of Housing and Urban Development Source: Washington Post, 26 March 2010

28. Possible application to the 4 HRH hub areas Migration Leadership and management HRH for maternal health etc HRH for public health emergencies

29. So how will a systems approach to HRM help?

30. Diagnose systems problems

31. Systems become discussable

32. Better HRM systems contribute to improved health workforce