Public Administration Reform
Working with governments to develop their administrations
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Contents The Importance of Efficient Public Administration
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Our Global Experience
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Policy Development & Delivery Civil Service Reform
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Sub-National Governance
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Anti-Corruption
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Social Protection
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Sector-Level Administrative Reform
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Public Administration Reform
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The Importance of Efficient Public Administration The ability of governments to achieve their economic and social aims with limited resources is dependent upon the efficiency and focus of government. Public administration institutions are the cornerstone of reform. If institutions are not professional, efficient, flexible and transparent, reform and development efforts will seldom succeed.
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Adam Smith International has been at the cutting edge of public administration reform for over 20 years, and has assisted the economic growth and governance reform programmes of many developing and transitional economies.
“ The team of Adam Smith International advisers has achieved visible results and have made the Council of Ministers Secretariat an institution that we are very proud of.� Dr Alaaq, Secretary General of the Council of Ministers Secretariat, Iraq
Strong public institutions
Effective policy planning Strong structures of accountability Effective public service delivery Good development/ social outcomes Poverty reduction
Public Administration Reform
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Our Global Experience We have worked across the world with many clients and governments on an award-winning portfolio of projects, helping to develop their administrations. Throughout this brochure, you will find examples of our work – you can see a small selection here. For further information on our wider portfolio, visit www.adamsmithinternational.com/exploreourwork.
Temporary Financing Mechanism in Libya We managed the emergency fund established to keep basic services going during the Arab Spring uprising in Libya and supporting the interim government there.
Somalia Stability Fund We are managing the Somalia Stability Fund and coordinating its involvement in projects to promote sustainable development through Somali-owned organisations.
Our Offices
London | United Kingdom New Delhi | India Nairobi | Africa Sydney | Australia
Regions: Public Adminisration Reform The Americas & Caribbean Central & Southern Africa West Africa East Africa Middle East & North Africa Europe & Former Soviet Union Central Asia South Asia & Asia Pacific
Regions: Other projects Various
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Promoting decision-making in African governments We are working with the African Cabinet Government Network to provide technical assistance to cabinet members and promote the use of research-based evidence in policy decisions.
Financial-planning support to Palestine We supported the Palestinian National Authority to improve its policy, planning and budgeting mechanisims and developed a fully automated financial planning system.
Stabilising the Prime Minister’s office in Iraq We improved the institutional capacity of the Iraqi government by supporting the establishment of a Prime Minister’s Office and Council of Ministers Secreteriat.
Pay and grading reform in Afghanistan We implemented a new position-based pay and grading structure across the civil service to improve its accountability and effectiveness.
Human Resource reforms in the Office Burundais des Recettes We addressed HR, organisational restructuring, communications and capacity building issues in Burundi’s first semi-autonomous revenue authority.
Analysis of social protection policies in the Mekong
Supporting the management of the extractives industry in Papua New Guinea We worked with the Mineral Resources Authority to evaluate the institutional structures of the Department of Extractives and develop recommendations to maximise the benefits of the mining industry of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
We undertook a preliminary scoping study for the Australian Government’s future social protection programmes in the Mekong region.
Public Administration Reform
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Policy Development & Delivery Countries with weak policy development and delivery mechanisms often fail to translate political objectives into effective outcomes, resulting in wasted resources and poor service delivery. The responsibility for coherent cross-sector policy development and delivery rests with central government institutions. For over 20 years, we have been working with new, conflict-affected and transitional countries to support the structures required to enable effective development and delivery of policy, leading to better service delivery and value for money. Our expertise in this area covers: I nstitutional reform to create an effective centre of government
uilding decision-making capability as well as the ability B to follow-up on decisions made
Developing cross-government networks
Supporting effective monitoring, evaluation and analysis of policy delivery
nhancing strategic communications capabilities to E promote awareness and understanding eforming management practices, including R human resources
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I mproving the ability to use evidence in policy development
Improving the institutional capacity of the Iraqi government We helped establish the Prime Minister’s Office, Council of Ministers Secretariat (CoMSec) in Baghdad and developed the capabilities of Secretariat employees. We addressed the need to develop, implement and monitor public policy, which had previously been decided without research or analysis, and outside the public domain. We helped the CoMSec transition between governments, developing a Strategic Government Programme and establishing a policy liaison network to improve coordination. We provide ongoing technical assistance to a new communications unit in order to improve the Government’s ability to engage in public dialogue.
Creating a sustainable Iraqi government Iraq
Iraq
Promoting better decision making across African Cabinets We are working with the Africa Cabinet Government Network to improve the use of evidence in cabinet decision-making. The team is working intensively with the Cabinet Secretariats of Sierra Leone and Liberia, and the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs in South Sudan to improve the use of evidence in collective Cabinet decision-making. The project will be providing additional support to a further nine secretariats through the Africa Cabinet Government Network. These interventions will lead to a more systematic approach and better implemented policy, contributing to national development goals, poverty reduction and improved quality of life for citizens. Specific activities the project has supported include confidential process reviews to diagnose performance and track improvements, revising cabinet procedures to improve the management of the agenda, working with line ministries to improve the quality of proposals submitted to cabinet and strengthening policy capacity both in the secretariats and within the line ministries.
Improving the use of evidence in cabinet decision-making Africa
Public Administration Reform
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Civil Service Reform The civil service is entrusted with supporting the development delivery of government programmes, but it is susceptible to weakening by corrupt practices. We have developed extensive expertise and understanding in navigating the often contentious matter of civil service reform. Modernisation of the civil service and restoration of the values of public service are vital to improving service delivery, ensuring resources reach the most vulnerable in society rather than enriching a privileged few.
Our expertise in this area covers: E stablishing the civil service legal framework and defining roles and responsibilities D rafting human resources management policies and procedures, including pay and grading, performance based contracts, and decentralisation processes Conducting functional, structural and staffing reviews of government institutions R edefining ministries, departments, agencies and their relationships
“ The recommendations I table here, for the functions of my Office, are drawn up with the support of the world class advisers from Adam Smith International.� Raila Odinga, former Prime Minister of Kenya
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Developing an efficient civil service in Liberia The Liberian National Transitional Government inherited a civil service characterised by inefficiency, bureaucracy and corruption. In response, we implemented the Liberia civil service capacity building project. We worked with three central government institutions responsible for civil service management, reform and capacity development: the Civil Service Agency, Governance Commission and Liberia Institute of Public Administration. We supported the development of a medium-term civil service reform strategy and provided oversight and coordination of its implementation. We then restructured the Civil Service Agency, ensured a consistent approach through functional reviews across government, established the foundation for modern human resource management and strengthened management of training.
Establishing a new Prime Minister’s Office in Kenya
Promoting efficiency, transparency and quality in central government Liberia
Liberia
To overcome civil strife that resulted from disputed election results in 2008, there was a pressing need to create a Prime Minister’s Office and to define its relationship with the rest of government. We deployed a team to Nairobi to assist in the design, establishment and operation of the new Office of the Prime Minister, including providing support to the establishment of the finance and administrative functions of the office. This included: developing a strategic capacity in coordination and delivery, the Prime Minister’s Personal Office, communication mechanisms and the integration of departments which come under its remit.
Overcoming civil strife and providing stability Kenya
Kenya
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Sub-National Governance We support the development of effective and transparent sub-national governance mechanisms, enabling local government to listen and respond to local needs. The absence of effective and empowered sub-national governance processes often reduces the effectiveness of policy development, which may in turn result in poor service delivery. Our expertise in this area covers: Building and developing links and networks between national and sub-national government
Strengthening the capacity of local administrations to coordinate policies, legislation and resources at all levels
D eveloping and establishing structures, policies and processes to effectively prioritise, plan and implement service delivery improvements
Human resource management – the development of common systems across sub-national jurisdictions and ministries, including recruitment, promotion, job descriptions, grading and performance appraisal
Fiscal decentralisation Provincial and municipal financial management reform
“ These recommendations will prove to be an invaluable asset for the enunciation of appropriate platforms and structures for the future.” Secretary of the Bougainville Department of Mining
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Creating sub-national executive agencies Advocacy programmes to facilitate communication between government and citizens
Analysing effectiveness of aid project delivery by the Afghan government Problems with corruption and inefficiency in Afghanistan have meant that development projects are not always effectively managed. We aim to improve district level accountability and service delivery outcomes through greater government and community participation. We conducted a statistical mapping exercise to capture fund flows in three pilot districts, tracking outputs and gaining a bottom-up perspective from districts on some of these key services. We are using the data to facilitate and support dialogue between government and donors on improving the human impact of projects.
Enabling effective management of future aid projects
We also undertook a feasibility study to outline policy actions for sustainable improvements at a district level.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan Evaluating institutional structures in the Department of Extractives of Bougainville The island of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea has the potential to become a significant producer of copper, gold and other mineral deposits and raise substantial revenue. To maximise the benefits of mining, we worked with the Mineral Resources Authority to evaluate the institutional structures of the Department of Extractives, aiming to develop a robust corporate plan. We conducted a review and analysis of the set-up, recommending changes that we implemented by providing training for local employees. This included producing a detailed organisational design and financial projections, plus a strategic framework and action plan. The strategy included a number of recommendations to raise departmental capacity and performance, with a view to sustainably managing a sensitive minerals sector environment.
Promoting effective and sustainable management in extractives Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
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Anti-Corruption Acts of corruption occur worldwide, but they are particularly corrosive in countries where robust and accountable public institutions are in their infancy and resources are scarce. Corruption adversely affects entire societies: resources are misallocated, authorities mistrusted and successful businesses are those that maintain political favour rather than economic efficiency.
Our expertise in this area covers:
Our experience of corruption and anti-corruption initiatives is broad and long-standing. It is the result of work on reform projects where corruption is a restrictive factor, as well as work on projects specifically designed to combat corruption.
Public information campaigns
eviews of transparency and accountability R Anti-corruption strategies I nstitutional development Design of Citizens’ Charters Design of transparent and accountable procurement procedures Organisational reviews to remove gatekeeper posts Simplification of business processes Public expenditure and financial accountability Fiduciary risk assessments
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Reviewing the Malawi Anti-Corruption Bureau We were commissioned to review the Department for International Development’s programme of support to Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau which was aimed at supporting sustained and long- term change. We undertook a complete progress review of the programme and provided suggestions for amendments to the project methodology, documentation and funding procedures. We also designed a risk register and gave recommendations on how future anti-corruption work could be incorporated into a broader demand-side accountability programme. Such an external review is important to maintain the integrity of donor-supported programmes and refine them, in order to improve efforts to tackle corruption.
Tackling the problems of corruption in Malawi Malawi
Building anti-corruption institutions in Bangladesh Bangladesh has previously been ranked as the most corrupt country in the world by Transparency International, so the government established an Anti-Corruption Commission. The Commission is an independent body mandated to address corruption and lead the prosecution of corrupt government officials. We were asked by the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Bangladesh to provide technical assistance to the Commission. We worked on a range of initiatives including structural and procedural redesign, strengthening of investigative and prosecution capacity, database development, human resources development and the establishment of corruption prevention committees across Bangladesh. According to the latest TI rankings Bangladesh’s performance has significantly improved, having surpassed over 40 countries in the rankings.
Commended as “pioneering” by the Asian Development Bank Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Conducting an emergency review of Pakistan’s Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority In 2005, an earthquake hit northern Pakistan, causing devastation and 75,000 casualties. The international community responded with over $5bn of reconstruction aid. Pakistan raised a further $6.2bn to be managed by the Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority. We undertook a detailed analysis of the public financial management systems to ensure best practices in managing these earthquake reconstruction resources, restricting the potential for the leakage of funds through corruption. We examined and mapped expenditure controls and procedures for the fund, in line with principles of value-for-money and transparency.
Ensured US$6.5bn of aid was efficiently handled Pakistan
Pakistan Public Administration Reform 15
Social Protection The provision of comprehensive social protection is highly challenging in conflict-affected and transitional countries. Effective social protection is acheived by promoting enabling factors such as more efficient labour markets and building community and individual reliance, to reduce vulnerability and poverty. Our work is ultimately directed to building effective and sustainable social protection capacity. However, we also have a wide range of specific experience in working on targeted social protection reforms, from youth employment promotion in Iraq, through the review of social protection strategies in the Mekong, to implementing conditional transfer schemes in Pakistan.
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Our expertise in this area covers: The delivery of community-driven development interventions Advancement of women in all state sectors Evaluation of social protection strategies Design and implementation of conditional transfers
Managing the emergency fund in Libya during the 2011 uprising During the uprising of 2011, the Libyan opposition to the government of Gaddafi was unable to deliver essential services to the people, due to a lack of access to funds. We were contracted by the Steering Board of the Temporary Financing Mechanism to handle $1.6bn of donor funds to pay for national oil supplies, support benefits to families, salaries for civil servants, and medical bills for Libyans in hospitals across north Africa and Europe. We provided a range of technical advice and solutions to daily problems. We developed a close relationship with key opposition and later, government counterparts in the National Transitional Council, including the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Finance.
“The Temporary Financing Mechanism performed a key function.”
Libya
Managing the Somalia Stability Fund The Somalia Stability Fund is an innovative multi-donor fund supporting peace and stability. It is designed to strengthen local stability, improve the coordination of international support and enhance its delivery. As fund managers, we are responsible for the oversight of implementing partners, managing communications and developing the capacity of investees. The Fund supports local governance and the resolution and mitigation of conflicts in the country. It values internal solutions and prioritises offering support and capacity building to Somali-owned organisations, and private sector and government entities. The fund is already financing six projects, totalling £9m, across community and youth empowerment initiatives.
Promoting peace and stability through community and youth initiatives Somalia
Somaliland Public Administration Reform 17
Sector-Level Administrative Reform Technical assistance is often needed in sector-level administration to help translate the deep sector-specific knowledge into policy submissions that best mobilise resources. We have always recognised the importance of effective sector-level administration, which requires nuanced technical support that varies between sectors. Our expertise in this area covers: H uman resources management policies and pay and grading procedures Functional, structural and staffing reviews of government institutions Redefining ministries, departments, agencies and their relationships Setting performance standards for public services The participation of the private sector in the provision of services to the public Development of modern information management and technology strategies Strengthening of policy formulation capacity in ministries I mproving communications and public awareness to promote understanding and support for reform initiatives
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Providing organisational assistance to the Office Burundais des Recettes The prospect of improved regional trade links and greater funds catalysed the creation of the Office Burundais des Recettes (OBR). We implemented a Governance, Management and Human Resources project, providing HR assistance, training and capacity building, organisational restructuring and communications. We ensured recruitment was open, transparent, and merit-based, and have developed a structure enabling the institution to maximise revenue, whilst preserving a consultative and inclusive environment. We have developed employee communications skills and produced a communications strategy, creating awareness of the role of taxation in state-building. In the first four years of its existence, the office collected US$350m, a 75% increase on previous years.
Enabling a 75% increase in revenue collections Burundi
Supporting the Ministry of Education in Afghanistan We assisted the Ministry of Education in improving planning, management and monitoring of sector-level budgets. Our team supported the restructuring of the Finance Department to align it with the Ministry’s new core functions and appoint staff to new positions based on merit. The team provided training and on-the-job coaching to effectively implement programme budgeting by integrating the development of ordinary budgets, creating operational plans and budgets for each programme. We also developed an initial teacher training framework for basic education, accompanied by guidelines on the subject knowledge requirements for teachers.
In 2010 girls made up 37% of pupils, up from 0% under the Taliban Afghanistan
Afghanistan
“ I am very impressed by the progress that the OBR has made in such a short space of time, in particular the very strong revenue collection results... The OBR serves as a model for institutional reform in Burundi.” Former Under-Secretary of State for International Development
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Adam Smith International is an award-winning professional services business that delivers real impact, value and lasting change through projects supporting economic growth and government reform internationally. We specialise in the design, management and delivery of complex projects. Our wide-ranging experience is grouped into two areas: Economic Growth and Government Reform. Economic Growth includes services in Private Sector Development, Infrastructure Development, Extractive Industries Governance and Climate Change. Government Reform includes services in Public Administration Reform, Justice, Security and Peace-building, Revenue Reform, Public Financial Management, Education Development, and Civil Society and Demand-Side Accountability. Often working in challenging environments and conflict affected areas, we have a proven track record for achieving tangible results.
Find out more For an in-depth look at any of these projects and more of our Public Administration Reform experience, visit www.adamsmithinternational.com. For assistance, please contact: Jalpa Patel Head of Public Administration Reform E: jalpa.patel@adamsmithinternational.com
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