Phase 3 for SPS Functional Analysis takes Shape

The Office of the Public Service Commission in partnership with the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) conducted a 1-week ‘work-hack’ focusing on the design of Implementation Plans for the Functional Analysis recommendations approved by Cabinet in October, 2016. More than 60 participants from selected Government Ministries attended the full-day sessions held at the Hotel Millennia from Monday 13th – 17th March, 2017 (the activity specifically targeted Assistant Chief Executive Officers).

The primary focus was to help those directly affected by the functional changes to design feasible plans to be presented to their CEOs at the end of the week. It aimed to equip the participants with the knowledge and tools required for a Machinery of Government change (MoG). The exercise was facilitated by APSC independent consultant Rachel Hunter, and APSC representatives Deborah Meehan and Donna Tait.

The Chairman of the Office of the Public Service Commission, Tuu’u Dr. Ieti Taulealo in his welcoming address thanked the Australian DFAT and the APSC for their assistance. The Chairman not

ed the importance of the activity as a step towards completing the FA work, since its inception in 2013.

The exercise was structured to allow for presentations from a range of experienced presenters from the PSC and the Ministry of Finance, as well as practical sessions for each group to design their Plans. The presentations covered different areas key to a MoG change including organizational structures and the human resources management framework, corporate functions, records management, ICT, asset management, as well as the financial implications of the FA recommendations.

The work-hack concluded with presentations of implementation plans by the Assistant Chief Executive Officers to the invited CEO’s for their input and approval.

It is expected that the Public Service Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Heads of all relevant Government agencies, upon approval from Cabinet, will begin implementing the MoG changes according to the timeframes noted in the SPS FA Report.

Recap:

Recommendations of the Functional Analysis Report as approved by Cabinet consisted of three main components;

Transferal of Functions between Ministries

Border Management / Passenger Processing under Ministry of the Prime Minister & Cabinet to the Customs Division of the Ministry for Revenue.
Recognized Seasonal Employer Scheme under MPMC to be transferred to the Ministry of Commerce Industry & Labor.
Issuance of Business Licenses that is currently under the Ministry for Revenue to MCIL
Scholarships and Training Opportunities including STSC Secretariat that is currently under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade to be transferred to the Office of the Public Service Commission.
Training allocations under all donor funded Projects with Government Ministries (e.g. Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries , Ministry of Women Community and Social Development and the Ministry of Health) to be transfer to Office of the Public Service Commission.
Sports Serviced Functions currently under MESC to be transferred and merged with Samoa Sports Facility Authority and be rebranded as Samoa Sports Authority

Establishment of New Ministries