CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
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Courses are organised to provide support to the Human Resource Management initiative launched by the Civil Service Bureau. Consultancy services are offered to departments to promote the practice of a co-ordinated and systematic approach to Human Resource Development. Best human resource development practices are also introduced to departments to strengthen organisational competence.
Serving the Community
'Serving the Community' is the government's single most important aim to which all civil servants should be committed. The government recognises the need to engender in the public service a culture that goes beyond the provision of the bare minimum; a culture that recognises the public as the paying customers and treats them accordingly.
The Efficiency Unit serves as the focal point to oversee and co-ordinate efforts towards achieving this aim. Key initiatives have included:
Performance Pledges All departments directly serving the public now publish each year performance pledges, informing their customers what services are available, the standards set and how these standards are monitored. All departments with a substantial interface with the public have also set up Advisory Groups or Customer Liaison Groups.
Performance Measurement
A structured performance measurement framework is being developed for the government to help improve quality, efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.
Management Process
An improved management process is being developed for the government to support delivery of strategic policy objectives and to focus more on outputs and outcomes.
Trading Funds — A financial and accounting arrangement which enables selected departments to provide services on a commercial or quasi-commercial basis. The staff of trading funds remain civil servants but the accounting arrangement allows such departments to retain revenue and to operate with more financial autonomy to improve services.
Customer Service - A service-wide programme is being developed to improve government services to the community and enhance quality and responsiveness of customer service.
Efficiency Improvement - An on-going programme aimed at supporting departments to improve efficiency and effectiveness and to address specific organisational and operational needs.
The government has embarked on a new approach to personnel management to ensure the delivery of quality service to the public. This involves the development of a more dynamic management environment wherein staff will be motivated, developed and managed to maximise their contribution to the Civil Service. As a result of this approach, departments now have greater devolved authority in matters such as staff management and professional training.
Government Records Service
The Government Records Service manages government records. It undertakes two different but related programmes. The Records Management Office is responsible for