2016 PUBLIC SERVICE MONTH CONCEPT DOCUMENT

Transcription

1 2016 PUBLIC SERVICE MONTH CONCEPT DOCUMENT THEME: TOGETHER MOVING THE PUBLIC SERVICE FORWARD: WE BELONG, WE CARE, WE SERVE 1. INTRODUCTION The Ministry for Public Service and Administration in collaboration with national and provincial departments coordinates and facilitates the Public Service Month (PSM) calendar events across the public service. These programmes are an integral part of the Batho Pele Revitalisation strategy seeking to instil and rebuild good ethics, morale, pride and professionalism in how public servants do their work. The annual PSM is a recognition of the need for increased responsiveness of frontline public servants to the views and concerns raised by citizens and other service beneficiaries. The programme provides a valuable platform for public servants to engage and interact with public servants on service delivery matters across the three spheres of government. It further provides an opportunity to share and showcase programmes reflecting on the achievements and emerging challenges whilst strategizing about the responsive solutions towards delivering effective, efficient and quality services. 1.1 Purpose & Objectives of the Public Service Month The annual PSM and the choice of September Month is in recognition of a noble calling to roll up sleeves and do spring cleaning. This include targeted removal of delivery blockages at the service points, unblocking red tape whilst planning for the year ahead. It is also a call to public servants to rededicate and recommit to the Batho Pele values of we belong, we care and we serve PUBLIC SERVICE MONTH CONCEPT DOCUMENT 1 P a g e

2 The 2016 PSM therefore seek to achieve the following objectives: a) Strengthened access to quality delivery through targeted advocacy, support and interventions to frontline services. b) Inculcate a culture of a responsive and accountable public service to the needs of the citizens. c) Monitoring, inspections and providing feedback on government policies and programmes; and d) Promote learning and Knowledge management which include sharing of best practices across the public service. 2. CONTEXT & SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 2016 PUBLIC SERVICE MONTH The National Development Plan (NDP) highlights the need for well-run and effectively coordinated state institutions with skilled public servants who are committed to the public good and capable of delivering consistently high-quality services, while prioritizing the nation s developmental objectives. Public servants are therefore, the change agents, enablers and facilitators of networked and integrated good governance and public administration towards vision The 2016 PSM celebrations are more significant as they take place mid-way to the end of term for the 5 th administration and a month after the Local Government elections. This year s PSM activities are more significant as 2016 marks important milestones in the history of South Africa s struggle for freedom. These include the 60 th anniversary of the Women s March; the 40 th anniversary of the Soweto uprising; and the 20 th anniversary of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The timing of the event is critical as the debates and conversations will enrich and strengthen the strategic discourse towards Vison 2030, Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals among others. The programme will recognise the alignment, integration and continuity of government initiatives and campaigns that will be taking place during the month of September. These include; the Open Government Summit, Heritage month, Tourism Month, Month of the Deaf, Albinism Month, Sports and Wellness activities, etc. Furthermore, the Public Service Month is a precursor to the 4 th national Batho Pele Awards which will take place in November PUBLIC SERVICE MONTH CONCEPT DOCUMENT 2 P a g e

3 3. THEME FOR 2016 PUBLIC SERVICE MONTH 3.1 The theme for 2016 Public Service Month The proposed theme for the 2016 Public Service Month is: Together moving the Public Service Forward: We Belong, We care, We Serve 3.2 Key Considerations The 2016 PSM theme seeks to deepen the implementation of Batho Pele, values and the corporate identity of We Belong, We Care, We Serve across the Public Service. The theme should create an environment to showcase and deepen a culture of selfless, effective and efficient service provision by reflecting and consolidating on the gains and progress made in institutionalizing Batho Pele Focus will be on demonstrating the values of We Belong, We Care, We Service through programmes that visibly portray a positive attitude. Are the public servants professional, committed and patriotic? Do they feel valued and cared for? Are they in turn valuing and caring for the people that they serve? What are the effects of the Diversity and Wellness Programmes across the public service to ensure well-being of public servants as critical machinery of the public service to deliver quality services? This year s Public Service Month will also include a weekly allocation of two BP principles to be heightened and showcased through various service delivery programmes for the duration of the Public Service Month. The Batho Pele Weekly Principles (BPWP) will be set aside to institutionalise and promote access and quality services. Implementation will showcase the alignment and integrated public services through exhibitions, campaign initiatives and interventions by various role players during the month of September Further work in this regard will include site visits and deployment of senior managers to follow-up and monitor service delivery whilst engaging with both public servants and citizens. BPWP will also be used to enhance and promote Innovation and Knowledge Management (KM) across the public service PUBLIC SERVICE MONTH CONCEPT DOCUMENT 3 P a g e

4 3.3 Envisaged Benefits and Outcomes of the 2016 PSM The benefits of the 2016 Public Service Month Programme will deepen institutionalising Batho Pele by: Promoting good governance and public administration that enforces respect to human rights, particularly the dignity and integrity of all the citizens by Putting them First. Enhanced access to appropriate administrative information on procedures and formalities relating to the provision of Public Service. Institutionalising professionalism, diligence and improved work ethics and values of We Belong, We Care, We Serve across the public service; and Fostering a healthy and conducive work environment. 4. APPROACH/FORMAT 4.1 The PSM is an entrenched and integrated national Batho Pele programme within the public service. Different government initiatives and campaigns are taking place during the month of September in the quest to take quality services to the citizens. The approach takes into account government s priorities; the outcomes based approach adopted and the related outputs in advancing the course of the effective, efficient and developmental public service and an empowered citizenship. 4.2 Public servants across the three spheres are expected to develop and share departmental activities whilst also encouraged to actively participate in national events. The month s activities and programmes will be co-ordinated through the MPSA in collaboration with the National Departments and Offices of the Premiers across the public service and will be grounded around the following focus areas: a) Official launch of the Public Service Month with Northern Cape as a national hub. b) Enhanced access to integrated service delivery and citizen engagement PUBLIC SERVICE MONTH CONCEPT DOCUMENT 4 P a g e

5 c) Unannounced visits and deployment to service delivery and frontline areas by Senior and Middle management to assess, monitor and follow-up on service delivery challenges with corrective measures. d) Promotion of Innovation & knowledge management to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within the public service; and e) Deepen Batho Pele through the Two Weekly Batho Pele Principle (WBPP) and values of We Belong, We Care, We Serve depicted as follows: WEEK & DATE PRINCIPLES ALLOCATION RESPONSIBILITY WEEK ONE: 05-09/09/2016 WEEK TWO: 12-23/09/2016 WEEK THREE: 19-23/09/2016 WEEK FOUR: 26-30/09/2016 Access and Service Standards Consultation and Courtesy Openness & Transparency and Redress Value for Money and Information ALL Departments, Provincial plans & National campaigns (e.g. Heritage Month) We Belong We Care We Serve 4.3 Overall Coordination & Implementation Task team comprising of officials from the DPSA and the Offices of the Premiers will work jointly to facilitate the overall coordination of the various activities and tasks teams of PSM programme. The responsibilities will include the following, amongst others: a) Development and coordination the implementation of a PSM work-plan. These will include engagements with the respective lead Provinces/departments and/or institutions to finalise and implement a focus work plan. b) Finalisation and agreement on the resource plan and mechanism for regular tracking, follow-up and reporting on assigned tasks. c) Development and implementation of the PSM media strategy leveraging on the available cost effective technology; and 2016 PUBLIC SERVICE MONTH CONCEPT DOCUMENT 5 P a g e

6 d) Awareness & promotion creation in line with the communication plan; and trouble shooting where required to ensure successful implementation of the 2016 PSM. 5. COMMUNICATIONS The DPSA in collaboration with the GCIS will develop the Communication strategy with the key messages to drive the PSM celebrations prior, during and post the Public Service Month. The standardised strategy with related activities will be finalised, shared and implemented across the public service through the relevant stakeholders and platforms. 6. RESOURCE PLAN Efforts will be made to secure and utilise government buildings. Institutions and departments are envisaged to cater for the logistical costs of their officials which include among others flights/car hire, accommodation and S & T for national and/or joint events. The DPSA will cater for national events including communication, where possible negotiations will be held with the relevant province to co-host. The DPSA will further bear the costs of the communication strategy; these include the standardised promotional materials which will be distributed across the public service. Departments will be provided with the branding artwork to increase their promotional at own costs should the need arise. 7. CONCLUSION The PSM and related activities are strategic delivery mechanisms and enablers for the government s endeavour towards Vision 2030 NDP. These include deepening the institutionalising of Batho Pele by taking quality services to the people, reflect and assess the progress of its programmes. The public servants through the various activities will reflect on their programmes, enhance their visibility and implementation of service delivery through Batho Pele Fridays and values of We Belong, We Care, We Serve PUBLIC SERVICE MONTH CONCEPT DOCUMENT 6 P a g e