18
CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
Efficiency Unit
The Efficiency Unit reports directly to the Chief Secretary for Administration and is tasked with pursuing the Government's commitment to transforming the management and delivery of public services so that the community's needs are met in the most effective and efficient manner. The unit works in partnership with client bureaux and departments across the Government to identify opportunities for performance enhancement, design practical solutions, develop compelling business cases, and secure effective implementation.
The unit has played a major role in many important reform initiatives: the creation. of trading funds; customer service improvements, including the development of the performance pledge programme; and the design and implementation of an integrated call centre. Other major aspects of the unit's work include greater involvement of the private sector in delivering public services, for example, through outsourcing and public private partnerships; and the undertaking of major re-engineering projects particularly where this is required to make real gains from the adoption of new technology and best management practice. All the work of the unit is focused on enhancing the quality of public services at the same time as seeking greater efficiency in the use of limited public resources.
Sustainable Development Unit
The Sustainable Development Unit, established under the Chief Secretary for Administration's Office, promotes sustainable development in both the Government and the community, and provides secretariat support to the Council for Sustainable Development.
The council was appointed by the Chief Executive in March 2003 to promote sustainable development in Hong Kong.
One of the unit's major tasks is to implement a sustainability assessment system within the Government to facilitate the integration of sustainability considerations in the decision-making process. All bureaux and departments are required to conduct sustainability assessments of their major initiatives and programmes, and explain the sustainability implications in their submissions to the Executive Council.
The unit also provides secretariat support to the Sustainable Development Fund.
The Civil Service
The Civil Service employs about 4.7 per cent of Hong Kong's labour force. It provides staff for all government departments and other units of the Administration. At December 31, the total strength of the Civil Service was 164 700 (excluding about 1 500 ICAC and judicial officers).
Overall policy responsibility for the management of the Civil Service lies with the Civil Service Bureau of the Government Secretariat. It includes policies on matters such as appointments, pay and conditions of service, staff management, manpower planning, training and discipline. The bureau is also the focal point for consultation with major staff associations and its General Grades Office manages the 26 800 executive, clerical and secretarial staff. Management of the Civil Service is governed mainly by three important instruments: the Public Service (Administration) Order, the Public Service (Disciplinary) Regulation, and the Civil Service Regulation, all made with the authority of the Chief Executive.