Question NW2786 to the Minister of Public Service and Administration

Reply:

The Minister for the Public Service and Administration issues directives on the Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) for Senior Management Service (SMS) members. It must be noted that performance management and assessments are conducted at the departmental level, with the ultimate decision resting with the relevant Executive Authority.

The current PMDS for SMS members incorporates several measures to ensure a fair and justifiable performance assessment process. These measures go beyond individual and supervisor assessments. They involve utilising management control tools, such as leveraging performance outcomes from the Departmental Annual Performance Report and incorporating the Auditor-General's opinions and findings.

In addition, the PMDS for SMS members prescribes performance assessment templates, calculators, and moderation procedures for different SMS levels. The moderation process can comprise two structures: the optional Intermediate Review Committee and the compulsory Moderation Committee. These committees are crucial in reviewing and validating performance assessments, ensuring consistency and fairness across various departmental business units. Therefore, the measures outlined in the Directives help reduce subjectivity in the assessment process.

In line with the Professionalisation Framework, the Department is currently in the process of introducing policy enablers to empower the Public Service Commission to create a panel of experts where departments may select subject matter experts to advise on performance assessments. This will provide an additional level of assurance and objectivity.

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