Other Public Sector Study

315 items available

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Responding to the Challenge of Fragility and Security in West Africa: Natural Resources, Extractive Industry Investment, and Social Conflict

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2015) Maconachie, Roy ; Srinivasan, Radhika ; Menzies, Nicholas

The inability to unlock natural resource wealth for the benefit of developing countries’ local populations, a phenomenon popularly known as the ‘resource curse’ or the ‘paradox of plenty’, has spawned extensive debate among researchers and policy makers in recent years. There is now a well-established body of literature exploring the links between natural resources and conflict, with some sources estimating that over the past 60 years, 40 percent of civil wars have been associated with natural resources. Following this introduction, Section two provides an overview of interstate tensions in West Africa in order to improve understanding of the drivers of fragility that trigger conflict between countries around extractive industry investment. Here, the discussion is grounded in examples in which interstate tensions have been apparent, including the case of the Mano River Union, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, a region with a history of conflict, and where the exploitation of commercial deposits of high-value resources may continue to have a potentially destabilizing effect. Section three focuses on the decentralization of natural resource revenues, a process that proponents believe can help manage grievances and defuse intrastate tension in areas directly affected by resource extraction, but one that is also not without challenges. Drawing upon the case of Ghana’s Mineral Development Fund, the section explores the potential for conflict (and conflict triggers) to arise when the redistribution of extractive industry revenues to subnational regions takes place. In doing so, it becomes apparent that the capture and misuse of revenues from the fund is as much a political issue as it is a policy or technical one. This sets the stage for section four, which focuses in greater detail on extractive industry-related conflict within catchment communities, and how contestation is most often a result of unequal power relationships. Section five, the conclusion, summarizes and reflects upon some of the challenges and struggles over resource management associated with West Africa’s recent resource boom, and draws out some of the cross-cutting themes. Here, suitable entry points for future lines of inquiry and engagement are identified.
Political Economy of Extractives Governance in Sierra Leone

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2013-07) Fanthorpe, Richard ; Gabelle, Christopher

Sierra Leone is still recovering from a brutal civil war (1991-2002), fuelled in part by a valuable and easily extractable natural resource (diamonds). Sierra Leone now stands on the verge of an unprecedented period of economic growth, driven primarily by revenues from large-scale iron ore mining. Yet it continues to face many governance and developmental challenges. The rapid rise of the extractives governance agenda in Sierra Leone requires an equally swift, yet strategic response from all stakeholders: the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL), development partners (DPs), civil society organizations (CSOs), communities, and mining companies. This report uses a 'value chain' approach to mining governance which highlights the critical stages through which a resource dependent country is expected to progress as it seeks to transform resource rents into economic growth and sustainable human development. The objective of this study is ultimately to improve the management of the natural resource endowment, enjoyed by Sierra Leone, in a manner that will allow the revenues generated from natural resource extraction to contribute in an optimal manner towards sustainable economic growth. Specifically, the study focuses on mining (iron ore, diamonds, and other minerals) and to a much lesser extent, oil and gas. By using the 'theories of change' approach to political economy analysis, the report looks at the historical challenges around extractive governance, identifies systemic features, and characteristics of 'the problem', extrapolates and analyses the incentives shaping the activities and behaviors of key stakeholders, and then lays out a possible platform for engagement based on clearly identified entry points. This report is organized as follows: chapter one is introduction, chapter two presents a summary of previous analytical work on the political economy of Sierra Leone with special reference to the extractives sector, its governance past, and possible governance futures. Chapter three undertakes an in-depth analysis of the extractives value chain in Sierra Leone and chapter four identifies key stakeholders across this value chain, noting their influence on extractives management policy and implementation, their potential relationships with other stakeholders, and influence over policy outcomes. Chapter five identifies and highlights suitable entry points for policy dialogue on extractives-led governance in Sierra Leone and possible project and technical assistance interventions across the value chain.
Sierra Leone: Strengthening Entry-Level Leadership Development in the Civil Service

(Washington, DC, 2012-09) World Bank

This report is the final product of a project financed by a grant from the World Bank's Youth Innovation Fund developed in conjunction with representatives of the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) spanning the period December 2011-June 2012. The report is an advisory document to assist the GoSL in advancement of its Public Sector Reform Program, particularly the initiative improving productivity through management and pay reforms. It provides the Public Service Commission (PSC) and Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) with options for the design and implementation of an entry-level leadership development program (ELDP) for the civil service, currently slated for implementation in 2014 as per government timelines. This program is herein referred to as the Sierra Leone Public Service Fellowship (SLPSF). The purpose of this document is address the identified organizational gap by offering technical guidance on the creation of a civil service fellowship that cultivates promising young professionals as future leaders. The proposed program targets university students in their final year of study and entices them to apply for graduate entry-level positions through a dedicated outreach effort and series of incentives. It selects candidates through a rigorous multi-stage assessment and matches successful candidate's interests with the needs of the Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDAs). It trains selected fellows in core civil service knowledge as well as a range of generalist functions and technical skills. It also offers fellows the opportunity to rotate in three different MDAs throughout the two-year period to develop a whole of government perspective. Throughout this initiative, the program offers fellows access to senior Government leaders and opportunities to grow professionally building a strong foundation for a successful career as a civil servant. Additionally, the program is bolstered by a number of public relations opportunities to raise its profile and showcase its achievements to Sierra Leoneans within and outside of Government.
Sudan - Strengthening Good Governance for Development Outcomes in Southern Sudan : Issues and Options

(World Bank, 2010-04-01) World Bank

This report is the product of a joint Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) and World Bank initiative aimed at facilitating informed policy making in key areas of public service management. The objective was to facilitate a process in which a Bank-supported team will provide technical inputs and will support appropriate consultation leading to informed and pragmatic policy making and implementation. Coordination, in particular on policy formulation, is difficult and a key constraint in young governments and more so in post-conflict situations such as that of Southern Sudan. Available analytical and executive capacity is already stretched. The number of issues that need to be addressed is large and prioritization is difficult. There are sharp political divisions that are not easily reconciled. The report is presented in two parts. Part one provides the background as well as a summary of findings and recommendations. Chapter one provides a brief historical background and lessons from this experience but may be skipped without loss of continuity. Chapter two presents an overview of the issues and options facing the GoSS in managing the public service, implementing the decentralization vision and tackling corruption and summarizes the findings presented in detail in the second part of the report. Part two covers the three thematic areas that are the subject of this initiative in greater detail: chapter three on public service reform, chapter four on decentralization, and chapter five on corruption. Two annexes document key aspects of the process. A third annex summarizes a paper on traditional authorities prepared as part of this exercise.
The Gambia - Improving Civil Service Performance : Public Service Pensions Policy Reform Note

(World Bank, 2010-02-03) World Bank

There is a general consensus that The Gambia's civil service has a number of key capacity weaknesses. Pay is too low to hire, motivate and retain key technical and professional staffs. Staffs are not managed to achieve results, neither rewarded for good performance nor sanctioned for poor performance or breaking the rules. Frequent removals and transfers of Government officials have undermined job security and institutional knowledge. The main objective of this report is to outline the results of the analysis of civil service capacity constraints. Based on the analysis, the report presents options to consider for the proposed civil service reform program which the Government plans on preparing. The Personnel Management Office (PMO) drafted a reform strategy in August 2007, the 'public sector reform sector strategy paper 2007-2011,' which can be further developed by incorporating the findings of report. The expected goal of this strategy is to build the capacity of the civil service to formulate policies and allocate resources to implement those policies so as to ensure effective delivery of public services. This report is organized as follows: chapter one identifies the overall capacity constraints in the civil service; chapter two analyzes civil service pay and benefits; chapter three assesses human resource management; chapter four focuses on the education and health sectors; and chapter five summarizes the major findings and proposes reform options and the next steps.
Darfur - Dimensions of Challenge for Development : Background Volume

(Washington, DC, 2007-06-29) World Bank

This background volume is not about the recent conflict, nor the humanitarian situation in Darfur today. Rather, it adopts a longer term perspective in an attempt to understand the range of underlying structural obstacles to growth and prosperity in the region. The World Bank, in collaboration with a range of stakeholders, has investigated the nature and extent of the underlying structural obstacles to the region's development. This background volume presents the results of the work of several teams, drawing on primary and secondary sources and field work undertaken in the latter half of 2006. The aim is to help re-establish a knowledge base across multiple dimensions, to inform future development planning oriented toward broad-based growth and attainment of the millennium development goals. The report provides a diagnosis of existing constraints: the basic thesis is that redressing marginalization is central to effectively overcome the challenges to peace and prosperity in the region, and thus in the Sudan overall. The immense challenges facing Darfur reflect not only the immediate conflict, but a series of major structural factors that can be traced back over decades. Of foremast importance is the failure of national policies and development projects to promote broad-based development and good governance. Geographic and demographic factors, in particular increasing desertification, periodic droughts and rapid population growth - have exemplified the, challenges, but the underlying failure of institutions to function in ways that are accountable to the people, and conducive to pro-poor development, plays a critical explanatory role.
Nigeria - Lagos State : States Finances Review and Agenda for Action

(Washington, DC, 2007-05-30) World Bank

This study on Nigeria Lagos State, states finances review and agenda for action reviews Lagos State's fiscal performance in recent years, highlight the main risks that may affect the fiscal outlook in the medium term, and help the Lagos State Government (LASG) develop an agenda for deepening the reforms in key aspects of public finance management (PFM) and service delivery, based on further analytical work. The quality of information has unfortunately been a constraint in this study. It affected the ability of the study team to make relevant observations and policy recommendations, in particular on the expenditure side. The data limitation also suggests that the first priorities for the government in PFM reform should be extending the coverage of the budget, improving the classification system, and reporting revenues and expenditures accurately and transparently.
Somalia Joint Needs Assessment : Macroeconomic Policy Framework and Data Development Cluster Report

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2006-08) World Bank ; United Nations

Since 1991, the Somali economy has suffered from droughts, the absence of government, and local conflicts. Unlike the 1970s and 1980s when most of the output of the small industrial sector and many services were provided by the public sector, there has been significant (but unmeasured) private investment in commercial ventures, including in trade and marketing; money transfer services; transport; communications; airlines; telecommunications; other services including construction and hotels; education and health; and fishery equipment. In regard to the macroeconomic policy framework, the short to medium-term objectives are to: establish and maintain macroeconomic stability; develop a stable currency and a sound and growing public revenues base; establish core civil service institutions along with accountable budgetary processes, public finance management, and revenue systems; and reestablish financial services. In addition, it is important to establish data systems to secure the data needed to monitor social and economic developments and to inform sound policy and institutional development.
Burkina Faso - Improving Service Delivery at the Local Level : Challenges for Public Sector Management Reform

(Washington, DC, 2002-12-16) World Bank

Transition to a more democratic organization of the political environment led to the adoption of four laws in 1998 - Decentralization Laws - that provide for local governments' semi-autonomy, and define the overall context in which decentralization would occur, outlining the principles for implementation of the decentralization process. The report intends to create a platform for discussion, and consensus building in the subject of decentralization, including the preparation of a public sector capacity building program. Main findings outline the need to legally establish the number of tiers of branch offices for central line ministries, and, clearly define the roles of regional, and provincial branch offices (including the relation between branch offices) to avoid probable redundancies. Yet, insufficient management capacity within branch offices may jeopardize the vital work of identifying, and tracking resources to be transferred, aggravated by a weak personnel management concerning the appointments to be decided by the line ministry central administration. In addition, the financial management is plagued by limited ministry responsibility for its own budget, by limited responsibility given to branch offices, and, by limited planning and monitoring, all conducive to inefficient central financial control systems. The report intends to diagnose possible solutions in service delivery at the local level, highlighting public sector management reforms as its main focus.