State Services Commission
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (March 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
| State Services Commission | |
 Logo of the State Services Commission |
|
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | State sector organisations in New Zealand |
| Agency Executive | Mark Prebble, State Services Commissioner |
| Website | |
| http://www.ssc.govt.nz/ | |
The State Services Commission (Te Komihana O Ngā Tari Kāwanatanga in Māori), formerly the Public Service Commission, is a central government agency within the New Zealand government. The current State Services Commissioner is Mark Prebble. The current Minister of State Services is David Parker.
The role of the State Services Commission is to guarantee a high level of civil servants for New Zealand through performance management. The SSC's official responsibilities, as defined by the State Sector Act 1988, include:
- appointing and reviewing Public Service chief executives,
- promoting and developing senior leadership and management capability for the Public Service,
- providing advice on the training and career development of staff in the Public Service,
- reviewing the performance of each department,
- providing advice on the allocation of functions to and between departments and other agencies,
- providing advice on management systems, structures, and organisations in the Public Service and Crown entities,
- promoting, developing, and monitoring equal employment opportunities policies and programmes,
- any other functions with respect to the administration and management of the Public Service, as directed by the Prime Minister.
The overarching goal, by Cabinet endorsement, is A system of world class professional State Services serving the government of the day and meeting the needs of New Zealanders.
Contents |
[edit] Development goals
To support the overarching goal mentioned above, the SSC has six specific development goals for State Services:
- Goal 1: Employer of Choice
Ensure the State Services is an employer of choice attractive to high achievers with a commitment to service.
- Goal 2: Excellent State servants
Develop a strong culture of constant learning in the pursuit of excellence.
- Goal 3: Networked State Services
Use technology to transform the provisions of services for New Zealand.
- Goal 4: Coordinated State agencies
Ensure the total contribution of government agencies is greater than the sum of its parts.
- Goal 5: Accessible State Services
Enhance access, responsiveness and effectiveness, and improve New Zealanders' experience of State Services.
- Goal 6: Trusted State Services
Strengthen trust in the State Services, and reinforce the spirit of service.
[edit] Branches
The SSC is currently divided into seven branches.
[edit] Performance Management Branch
The Performance Management Branch is responsible for providing leadership in relation to appointing chief executives and performance management within State agencies. It also has responsibility for ensuring the achievement of and monitoring progress towards the Development Goals.
The branch also interacts with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Treasury to develop and maintain a set of shared outcomes for the three central agencies.
[edit] System Improvement Branch
In 2007, the Development Branch (responsible for the Accessible State Services Development Goal) and Governance Branch (responsible for the Trusted State Services and Coordinated State agencies Development Goals) were merged into the System Improvement Branch. The System Improvement Branch has inherited responsible for the three Development Goals.
The Branch helps agencies by:
- improving public management practices and systems
- strengthening the spirit of service
- promoting New Zealanders' experience and expectations of the State Services.
[edit] Information and Communication Technologies Branch
The Information and Communication Technologies Branch has primary responsibility for working towards the Networked State Services Development Goal. The branch provides advice regarding IT investments by the government and related matters. It is responsible for the E-government Strategy and delivering its outcomes.
[edit] People Capability Branch
The People Capability Branch has primary responsibility for working towards the Employer of Choice and Excellent State servants Development Goals.
These goals have specific relevance for ensuring that the New Zealand State sector has world-class public and State servants. The branch is also responsible for the senior leadership and development strategies, State Sector Retirement Savings Scheme, Mainstream Supported Employment Programme, and activities of the Public Sector Training Organisation.
[edit] Corporate Services Branch
The Corporate Services Branch holds the role of ensuring that the SSC has the capability necessary to facilitate and support the achievement of the Development Goals. This includes ensuring that the SSC has the necessary resources, develops the right organisational culture, and has appropriate systems and processes in place, so that it can deliver the right things at the right time, while meeting its statutory obligations as an employer and Public Service department.
[edit] Commissioner's Office
The Commissioner's Office acts as the Commissioner's support group. This includes the SSC's legal team. This ensures that the State Services Commissioner has ready access to legal advice concerning the exercise of his statutory powers. Legal advice is also available to all branches of the SSC.
