The first 2 phases of the Functional Analysis Review that was carried out by the Office of the Public Service Commission is now complete and the reports have been approved by Cabinet for implementation.
The purpose of the review was to improve the ‘machinery of government’ and its performance through redefining its priorities and reviewing its functions.
There were 20 Offices included as part of the review, all under the jurisdiction and performance management of the Public Service Commission except for two Constitutional Authorities (Offices of the Attorney General and Auditor General) which became independent during the Review.
The Functional Analysis does not include other agencies under the whole Public Sector (like State Owned Enterprises) however the increasing growth of the Public Sector since the 2003 Realignment is an alarming concern as it does have a tremendous impact on the economy, and this is something government is not taking lightly.
To date, 54 Government agencies employ more than 9000 public servants within 14 Ministries, 4 Statutory Bodies, 6 Constitutional Authorities, 27 State Owned Enterprises, and 3 Others which includes the Ministry of Police, Samoa Prisons and Corrections Service, and the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services.
The core functions legally mandated for government to undertake were extracted from Samoa’s Constitution and its key legislation. There were 156 separate functions identified and were grouped into five (5) main categories or groupings, listed below:
- Policy Function
- Coordination, Supervision, Oversight and Monitoring Function;
- Regulatory Function;
- Service Delivery Function; and
- Support Function.
The purpose of grouping of functions in the above categories was to eliminate duplication and overlaps, improve efficiencies and to determine the most appropriate organizational structure in which functions could be performed at an optimum level. The third phase, which will see the recommendations on organizational structures from the first 2 phases being implemented, is planned for the next financial year.
