Transforming the civil service so that it serves the citizens and is based on the principles of transparency, inclusiveness and accountability: that is the focus of the new programme we have launched with the Government of Macedonia.
Minister of Information Society and Administration Damjan Mancevski and our ambassador Charles Garrett today signed a Memorandum of Understanding that lays down the principles of the UK-Macedonia co-operation for reform of the civil service.
Our ambassador Charles Garrett said:
Quality doesn’t come overnight. But, as a civil servant myself, I keep in mind that because the people pay me to do a service, I have a duty and obligation to serve them in the best way possible.
A civil service that works for the people impartially, irrespective of party allegiance, that uses the people’s money efficiently and honestly, that is open and accountable – in short, a civil service that does a good job for the people – is something worth fighting for.
In the UK we spend a lot of time and energy finding ways to move closer to that description. And we are delighted to be able to share our experience with you as you do the same.
The robust programme includes help with designing tools that will improve the way the civil service develops policies and plans priorities, improve co-ordination among ministries and equip people with more skills and methods to do their jobs better. People from across Government will work together in drafting policies, deciding priorities and improved management practices.
This support for the civil service in Macedonia is done in co-operation with the Centre for Change Management and the Ministry of Information Society and Administration. It will be implemented between autumn 2017 and the end of March 2018.
The British Embassy Skopje runs a range of programme assistance in Macedonia providing support in several reform areas with the civil service, judiciary, human rights, democracy, social cohesion, public finance management, strengthening civil society and media.
You can find more information about our programme assistance here
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Source: UK & Macedonia