TERMS OF REFERENCE
To Conduct a Diagnostic Study on Upgrading and Restructuring of the Bahamas Public
Service
Project number: NGCWG0893
Post Title: Diagnostic Study on Upgrading and Restructuring of the Bahamas Public Service
Project Location: Bahamas and home based
Project Duration: 44 days over a period of 3 months
Remuneration: All inclusive fee of £35, 000
1. Project Background
The Commonwealth Secretariat through the Public Administration and Governance Section
of the Governance and Natural Resources Division has received a request for assistance from
the Government of The Bahamas to conduct a diagnostic study on Upgrading and
Restructuring of The Bahamas Public Service.
The Public Service in The Bahamas is regulated by the Ministry of Public Service established
under provisions of the constitution. Its core mandate is to ensure that government
employees are available in sufficient numbers to meet the demands of the Service and any
policy initiative or project of the Government.
The Government’s medium-term
development vision is detailed in the Charter for Governance: “Vision 2030 – Charting a
Course of Change in The Bahamas.” As such, the Ministry of Public Service has a critical role
to prepare the human resource to meet the objectives of the national development plan by
2030. The Ministry of Public Service is one of the twenty-two ministries in Bahamas.
The Ministry of Public Service deals with the placement, transfers, compensation, pension
and other allied issues of the public servants relating to ministries based in Nassau including
Office of the Prime Minister, and executive agencies. The ministry also deals with the public
sector reforms and acts as a broker of interest with trade union groups and individual public
employees, therefore deals not only with its own organizational practice and strengthening,
but also with those of all the other departments.
Due to the increasing complexity of the roles performed by public servants including those
performed by of Permanent Secretaries who are policy advisors to Ministers, as well as
executive Heads of Ministries and as leaders of the team of administrators there is the need
for continuous upgrading of relevant professional skills and competencies of all public
servants. Although efforts have been made to keep abreast with modernizing the public
service, the systems and processes still do need to be reviewed and upgraded.
Scope of Work
The Consultant(s) will work with the Minister of Public Service or designated staff to conduct
this diagnostic study on how to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the public
service. The key demand from the Minister is a focus on assessing the needs of the public
service and assisting in the developing of appropriate remedial measures including capability
building for senior, middle and junior level officers of the public service.
The Consultants are expected to perform the following tasks:







Conduct a detailed analysis of The Bahamas public service relative strengths,
weaknesses and opportunities for staff in the public service
Identify the current needs of the public service.
Identify the systems, policies and procedures that need to be modernized (including
technological improvements)
Identify and improve upon mechanisms for policy coordination inter-ministerial
cooperation
Organise interviews, meetings and focused group discussions with public servants,
service commissions, other key stakeholders
Identify feasible solutions to be implemented
Develop a framework for monitoring improvements based on the recommended
solutions
Objective of the project:
The objective is to assist the Government of The Bahamas to upgrade and restructure the
public service making it more efficient and effective
The purpose of the project
The purpose of this assignment is to provide the Ministry of Public Service of the Bahamas
with an assessment of the state of the public services and recommendation for immediate
action.
Deliverables:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
An inception Report to reach the Head Public Administration and Governance,
Commonwealth Secretariat within two weeks of the commencement of field
mission on or before the 10th March, 2015
A minimum of a 15-page long progress report which should be received by the
Commonwealth Secretariat on or before 19th April, 2015.
A final copy of the report and recommendations to be submitted to the
Commonwealth Secretariat 22nd May, 2015.
The consultancy is expected to be completed by 29th May , 2015.
Duration, Timeframe and Reporting
The level of effort for this assignment will be a total of 44 person days over three
months. The Consultants are expected to carry out at least two field missions to the
duty station. At the duty station, the Consultants will report to the Permanent
Secretary, Ministry of Public Service or his designate. The commencement date of this
assignment is expected to be 1st March, 2015.
Required Experience and Qualifications





Professional degrees and post-graduate qualifications in governance, public
administration, in the social sciences or other relevant fields.
At least 15 years substantive experience and expertise in the areas of governance
and public administration and familiarity with developing country's needs
Strong strategic and analytical skills
Demonstrated capacity to establish and maintain excellent relationships with key
partners
Strong interpersonal communication and presentation skills.
Financial implications and Value for Money
An all-inclusive fee of up to a maximum of £35,000 (includes professional fees, return
economy air tickets, subsistence allowance and project related expenses).
.