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Unit of Administrative Reform – Deputy Minister to the President
Deputy Minister to the President
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Frequently Asked Questions
1.
What does the expression "civil service reform" means?
2.
Why is the reform of the civil service necessary, and why is it necessary now?
3.
What is it included in the Memorandum of Understanding for the reform of the Civil Service?
4.
What specific actions are undertaken by the various Departments/Services so as to modernize their structure or the services provided by them?
5.
What is the proposed timetable for the execution of the functional reviews and when will the suggestions be implemented?
6.
Which organization will carry out the reviews?
7.
What practical arrangements have been made in each Ministry which will be reviewed?
8.
As a civil servant how can I get informed on the changes affecting my Ministry?
9.
How can I track down the progress of implementation and engage in change?
10.
What would the citizens gain from the reform of the Civil Service?
11.
How can citizens evaluate the Civil Service?
1. What does the expression "civil service reform" means?
The reform and modernization of the Civil Service will consist of the simplification of structures and procedures, the restructuring of public administration, use of modern technology, the enhancement of personnel skills, updating the appraisal system and facilitation of staff mobility across the civil service.
2. Why is the reform of the civil service necessary, and why is it necessary now?
The Civil Service of Cyprus can no longer meet the requirements of the modern society since its structures are outdated and available since 1960. The fact is that until today, the Civil Service has responded adequately to its role, but the current conditions of globalization and economic crisis require new skills, methods, and a versatile Civil Service. Some of the problems are: the unnecessary bureaucracy, overlapping of services, inefficiencies, delays and inability to cope with poor performance. All of the above are impediments in the proper functioning of the service and as a result the Civil Service costs are disproportionately high to the state. The modernization of the public administration is a commitment of the President of the Republic (meritocracy, political accountability, quality of service to the citizen, modernization of organizational structures) but it is also a requirement arising from the Memorandum of Understanding.
3. What is it included in the Memorandum of Understanding for the reform of the Civil Service?
(a) Reduce impediments to staff mobility within the public and broader public sector; (b) Adjustment of the working time in the Civil Service in order to help reduce overtime costs; (c) Conduct functional reviews by an independent external reviewer to examine further possible public administration reform, based on pre-agreed terms of reference. These reviews will cover the following areas: (i) horizontal issues of human resource management, the remuneration system and conditions of employment in the public sector, and the introduction of a new performance appraisal system; (ii) sectoral issues relating to the examination of the role, competences, organizational structure and size of Ministries, Services and Independent Authorities, the possibility of abolishing or merging/consolidating state owned enterprises, and re-structuring the local government.
4. What specific actions are undertaken by the various Departments/Services so as to modernize their structure or the services provided by them?
Apart from the studies which are explained in detail in the Action Plan, there is a number of studies that are conducted alongside, arising from initiatives of the government or the House of Representatives. Some of these initiatives, which are part the modernization of the public and broader public sector, are listed below. A study by independent experts is currently undertaken at the Cyprus Police aiming at restructuring the body, EUROCONTROL will conduct a study of the Civil Aviation Department, the House of Representatives is examining law proposals regarding the recruitment of employees at state owned enterprises.
5. What is the proposed timetable for the execution of the functional reviews and when will the suggestions be implemented?
The final results of the reviews of the first phase will be published in the first quarter of 2014 and the implementation of reforms will start to be implemented in the first quarter of 2015. In the first phase of the reviews the following sectors will be examined: Ministry of Health, Education and Culture, Agricultural, Natural Resources and Environment, the Local Government, the Department of Registrar of Companies and Official Receiver, as well as horizontal issues of human resource management. The 2nd phase of the reviews, is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2014, for some Minstries, and estimated to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2015. It will cover the remaining Ministries (Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance, Communications and Works, Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Interior, Defense, Justice and Public Order and Foreign Affairs), as well as the Independent Services and Authorities. The horizon for the start of the implementation of the reforms is the third quarter of 2016. The studies of the 1st and 2nd phase will include State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) or Councils which fall within the jurisdiction of the respective Ministries addressed at each phase (a study will precede, identifying which SOEs should cease to operate, which should be privatized and which ones should continue to operate under the government sphere).
6. Which organization will carry out the reviews?
The functional reviews of the first phase which are currently taking place involve the Ministry of Health, Education and Culture, Agricultural, Natural Resources and Environment, the Local Government, the Department of Registrar of Companies and Official Receiver, as well as horizontal issues of human resource management. In the above mentioned reviews experts of the World Bank and the United Kingdom are involved according to the issues under examination. The external experts have constant communication and exchange of information with the relevant Ministries, the Ministry of Finance, the Public Administration and Personnel Department, the General Directorate of European Programs, and the Team for the Reform of the Civil Service. The experts taking over the reviews for the remaining Ministries and Independent Authorities will be decided in a later stage.
7. What practical arrangements have been made in each Ministry which will be reviewed?
In each Ministry which is currently under review, change task force teams have been set up, comprised of officers from the respective Ministry (including the Press officer), the Ministry of Finance, the Public Administration and Personnel Department, the General Directorate of European Programs, Coordination and Development, the Press and Information Office and Team for the Reform of the Civil Service.
8. As a civil servant how can I get informed on the changes affecting my Ministry?
The change task force teams were established in order to constantly inform the personnel within their Ministry on the course of the reform and the upcoming changes. In this framework, information sessions will be organized and a monthly e-mail will be sent out to all the personnel.
9. How can I track down the progress of implementation and engage in change?
The modernization of the civil service will be successful, if in the course of the changes as many people as possible get involved, both from within or outside the civil service. Towards this, a special section on the Reform website has been created, where anyone can send his/her suggestions and views on specific or general reform issues. Additionally, the course of the reform measures and progress of their implementation will be issues of systematic update and briefing, through the organization of information sessions, lectures, discussions, as well as via the website for the Reform of the Civil Service.
10. What would the citizens gain from the reform of the Civil Service?
Transforming the Civil Service into a citizen-friendly organization is one aim of the reform. Towards this, a variety of measures is being promoted, such as the simplification of procedures, e.g. issuing building permits from the Land Registry, improvement of the operation and expansion of the Citizen Service Centers, the promotion of the use of modern technology and the introduction of e-governance – while providing incentives to citizens for using electronically supplied services, the set up of a Citizen Service Call Centre, the establishment of a central focal point for the European Programs for utilization of funds, and the implementation of projects that aim to change the culture and behavior of public servants towards the citizen.
11. How can citizens evaluate the Civil Service?
We are working towards establishing a process of confidential evaluation of the government services. Citizens will be able to fill-in a special form, which can be submitted at the respective departments and Services or sent electronically.