Decentralizing Civil Servants Applying the Framework to East Asia

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Decentralizing Civil ServantsApplying the
Framework to East Asia

• Workshop on Decentralizing Civil Servants
• June 9, 2004

Amanda Green EASPR
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Applying the framework to EAP

• Similar approach
• Decentralized staffing model as the end
• Benchmarking extent of devolution according to
  specific staffing practices
• Similar results
• Variations across Big Bang, Incremental and
  Cautious Decentralizers
• Entry points institutional recognition of local
  government as formal employer authority to hire
• Sticking points independent recruitment (local
  CSC) horizontal mobility financial authority

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EAP staffing practices compared
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Entry points
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Implications of Administrative Decentralization
(1)

• Capacity
• Individual and institutional
• Success of decentralization affected by
  sub-national (and central) governments ability
  to carry out new tasks key concern of the
  center
• Decentralization places new demands on all levels
  (planning and financial management steering vs.
  rowing)
• Incentives
• Lack of capacity can instead be lack of
  motivation
• Success of decentralization affected by civil
  service structures and management
• Decentralization modifies incentives (closer to
  the people vs. career mobility)

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Implications of Administrative Decentralization
(2)

• Autonomy
• Responsiveness argument assumes sub-national
  authority
• Human vs. (direct indirect) financial resources
• Decentralization does not always lead to autonomy
• Accountability
• Success of decentralization affected by
  strength of accountability framework at
  sub-national level key concern of the center
• Decentralization modifies accountability (closer
  to the people vs. closer to vested interests)

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Trade-offs

• Design
• Centralized control vs. decentralized management
• Uniformity vs. unification of the civil service
• Economies of scale vs. client responsiveness
• Sequencing
• Capacity first or through decentralization?
• Civil service reform before or after
  decentralization?

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Issues for consideration

• De facto vs. de jure application (China,
  Indonesia, Philippines)
• Stated policy vs. reality of implementation
  (Thailand)
• Dual accountability (China, Philippines, Vietnam)
• Core civil service vs. public service units
  (China)
• Level of government (Cambodia, China, Indonesia)
• Clarity of functions (Indonesia, China)
• Standard position classifications (Philippines,
  Thailand)
• Training financial responsibility applicability
  of content
• Data availability number of staff, wage rates,
  personnel expenditures as a share of local budgets