Civil Service scheme to reward top performers

By Luke Anami

A Civil Service requirement that officers serve at the same level for three years before they are promoted will be phased out, Public Service Minister Dalmas Otieno has said.

This would allow servants who excel to be promoted within a short time as practically possible to boost performance and delivery of service.

"In developing schemes of service for civil servants, we must incorporate the need to demonstrate results," Dalmas said in a speech read on his behalf by Public Service PS Titus Ndambuki at the opening of a workshop on institutionalisation of Results-Based Management for senior civil servants.

The move is set to encourage high achievers who wish to excel in the careers a chance to progress without hurdles.

"Those who are both high performers and achievers should be promoted whenever it is necessary to do so without waiting for three years," said the minister.

He said the scheme of service requirement that officers serve at the same level for three years was retrogressive to those who wished to move up the ladder in the Civil Service.

Marking time

The requirement, he suggested, should be left to those who lack ambition and wish to mark time in the service.

He added: "Consequently, a scheme for high achievers will be developed to attract and motivate those who are proactive, self-driven and are results oriented."

Dalmas said career progression should be linked to performance appraisal system to ensure those who perform well can progressively move up career path.

"Evaluation of performance contracts and individual performance through the performance appraisal system, focus must be placed on outcomes that benefit citizens," Dalmas, who is also the current chairman of the conference of African Ministers for Public Service, said.

The Government will no longer reward processes that have no benefit to citizens.

"We must rise up to the reality of performance related pay focused on achieving results. Promotions will be carried out on merit for those who want to excel," said he.

Ndambuki said result based management would require setting up of performance targets and change of management style.