Working group on public sector workforce

Current work

Making the public sector workforce fit for purpose: In support of the 2023 ECOSOC cycle of work, the CEPA working group provided policy advice on public sector workforce matters with a focus on reinventing public sector training and institutional learning towards changing mindsets in the public sector.

Background

Placing human resources development at the core of sustainable development and developing short-, medium- and long-term strategies to effectively enhance human resources capacities and achieve educated, skilled, healthy, capable, productive, and adaptable workforces are the foundation for achieving sustained, inclusive, and equitable economic growth and development. The COVID-19 pandemic has severely tested political leadership, institutional frameworks at the local, national, and global levels and societal trust in governments and the public sector workforce. It has demanded resilient strategies to cope with the crisis while simultaneously keeping track of achievement of the SDGs.

Over the years, the Committee has examined how to develop transformative leadership, build capacities and enhance relevant competencies and awareness of public servants at local and national levels, including in relation to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and in the context of the digital era. At its 20^th session (2021), the Committee examined issues in public sector workforce management in the recovery from coronavirus disease pandemic.

At its 21^st session (2022), the Committee agreed that building responsive, robust and resilient institutions called for more creative, flexible and integrated ways of working, focused on the needs of people, as well as an adequate stock of competencies and resources, able to be activated in times of crisis. Governments were encouraged to further promote the professionalization of the public sector workforce, invest in digital skills, update competency frameworks for implementation of the SDGs, and address inequalities within the public sector workforce as well as social inequities in the design and delivery of public services. Such efforts could help to address questions of legitimacy in the public sector and trust in institutions.

At its 22^nd session (2023), the Committee observed that agile, data- and insight-driven institutions were necessary to be better prepared and more resilient in managing crises. Building such institutions would depend on access to new skill sets and fostering of more citizen-centred and collaborative mindsets among public servants. A review of public sector workforce capabilities to achieve the SDGs and of related training efforts was seen as part of the solution.

Recent CEPA observations and insights

Reinventing public sector workforce training and institutional learning towards changing mindsets in the public sector

Agile, data-driven, and insight-driven public institutions are necessary to be better prepared and more resilient in managing current and future crises. Such institutions rely on a new set of skills and a democratic and citizen-centred mindset among public servants, including elected officials and political appointees. A holistic approach to change the mindsets of public servants and political leaders to align them with the principles and values of the 2030 Agenda and the 11 principles of effective governance for sustainable development should be made a priority. In addition, public servants, including elected officials and political appointees, will need to develop new skills and competencies to engage more effectively in the digital era and develop effective public communication strategies. (CEPA 22^nd session, 2023)

Shortages of capacity and skills among public servants, including elected officials and political appointees, are among the key shortcomings hampering public sector efforts in support of the implementation of the SDGs. There is a need for a systematic and comprehensive review of public sector capacity-building efforts, including their long-term impact. Building strong institutions through training should be based on the detailed assessment, analysis, and prioritization of individual and institutional needs. Training programmes should be designed to be gender sensitive and inclusive. To ensure effective training and capacity-building strategies, appropriate and sustainable resource allocation will be needed, including at the subnational level, as well as adaptation of good practices from around the world. (CEPA 22^nd session, 2023)

The challenges and needs of young people, who are particularly affected by the multiple crises, should be taken into account and their involvement in policymaking and public institutions increased as their engagement will be key to achieving the SDGs and driving systemic reforms over the longer run. Among others, youth-centered services and efforts to attract and retain young public servants at all levels should be increased. (CEPA 22^nd session, 2023)

What action does ECOSOC recommend?

ECOSOC recognizes that building resilient institutions calls for more creative, flexible and integrated ways of working that are focused on the needs of people, as well as an adequate stock of competencies, capabilities and resources, and encourages Governments to further promote professionalization of the public sector workforce, invest in digital skills, update competency frameworks for implementation of the 2030 Agenda, address inequalities that exist within the public sector workforce, and take steps to address social inequities in the design and delivery of public services (ECOSOC resolution 2023/28, para. 18).

ECOSOC recalls that building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels calls for a comprehensive understanding of the scope and capabilities of the public sector workforce, recognizes that new modalities of work are emerging in many countries, and encourages Governments to develop appropriate schemes for managing flexible work and contract work in the public sector, review public sector labour laws to reflect flexible work arrangements, develop protocols and guidelines for performance assessment in flexible work regimes, and accelerate efforts to enhance digital skills in the context of public sector workforce planning at both the national and subnational levels (ECOSOC resolution 2021/12, para. 12).

Technical guidance for government officials

CEPA strategy guidance note on promotion of public sector workforce diversity (draft)

Expert papers on this topic (2016-present)

Training and awareness-raising for the Sustainable Development Goals: Ghana’s experience (conference room paper, 2020)

Enhancing the capacity of the public sector in core functional areas of administration: African perspective (conference room paper, 12 December 2018)

Transforming local authorities and communities into stakeholders to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (conference room paper-French, 22 March 2017)

Diversity and non-discrimination in public administration: strategic enablers of sustainable development (E/C.16/2016/3, 20 January 2016)