Human resources teams within government ministries are now empowered to manage the key human resources functions of public officers within grades 1 to 12, marking a significant step forward in the management of the public service.
This development follows the recent signing of an expansion agreement by His Excellency Governor Daniel Pruce, authorizing officers to extend their appointment capabilities to include Grades 8 to 12. This change is in accordance with the Appointment to Public Office (Devolution of Human Resource Functions) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024.
The signing ceremony on May 27 saw Governor Pruce joined by Deputy Governor Mr. David Archer Jr., senior managers from across the public service’s nine ministries, the cabinet secretary, the attorney general, and the commissioner of police. The event was hailed as a pivotal moment in the advancement of human resources management within the public service.
Governor Pruce remarked, “The devolution process and the documentation for signature today will take the Public Service a significant step forward on a journey towards improving efficiency and effectiveness, and also empowering managers that are closest to the point of delivery to take important HR decisions themselves.”
Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Sharleen DaBreo-Lettsome, emphasized the impact of this development on the Department of Human Resources.
“We have cultivated a new vision for the Department of Human Resources that speaks to the need to become more agile and responsive to the public service. The expansion of the Devolution Regulations now puts the management of key HR functions in the hands of professionals throughout the various ministries, increasing efficiency and our ability to be readily available to our valued clients,” she said.
The March 2023 audit identified the programme’s strengths and areas for improvement, noting that authorized officers were already acting in accordance with the regulations and highlighting opportunities for further advancement with minimal areas needing attention.
Public Service Transformation Manager, Mrs. Kishann Cupid Braitwaite, highlighted the significance of this expansion.
“The vast majority of the public service’s population is within grades 1 to 12. As the transformation of the public service progresses, the expansion of our Devolution Regulations now ensures that we can effectively manage this critical group for optimum efficiency, employee satisfaction, and continued advancements,” she stated.
Mrs. Cupid Braitwaite also noted the progress already made in the area of Human Resources through a rigorous digitization programme, stating, “We have already made significant strides in the area of Human Resources through a rigorous digitization programme that has transformed the way we recruit, manage, and promote public officers. This is only the beginning; the public service is rapidly transforming into a world-class organization.”
Originally introduced in 2008, the Devolution Regulations allowed for autonomy in the Human Resources Management of public officers within Grades 1 to 7, encompassing recruitment, releasing, the administration of disciplinary matters, career and succession planning, and employee record management. The recent expansion builds on this foundation, extending these capabilities to higher grades and enhancing the overall efficiency and responsiveness of the public service.