Unit 8: Professionalism and Professionalisation of the Public Sector

Professionalism

encompass the practices, conduct, values, and behaviour that a person exhibits regardless of training, qualifications and levels of responsibility. Professionalism focuses on the qualities and behaviours that are exhibited and how one conducts oneself in the work environment, whether in the public or private sector.

Professionalisation

1. about changing individual attitudes, behaviour, and performance towards serving the public.

2. It is a value principle which is about observing and serving people with empathy in accordance with the Constitution

3. The process of professionalising also means having qualified people who know what they are doing and are fully equipped to perform their jobs with diligence

4. This entails continuous professional development and making public servants more competitive by sharpening their “know-how” and skill sets.

The characteristics of professionals

1. Professionals have specialised knowledge and skills based on theoretical principles reinforced by practical experience

2. Professionals are members of a small and closed group of specialists who share and regulate the same elite, technical standards, approaches, skills and experiences

3. They are accepted as such by society and allowed the discretion to regulate their own specialised standards, approaches and methods because they are regarded as useful to society in general.

4. They are also seen as elites who are supposed to be honest, trustworthy and loyal, and have a sense for equity and social justice in applying their specialised skills and experiences to the benefit of society

Professional Public Servant

A “professional public servant” has an academic qualification, has social values and, importantly, abides by the constitutional principles and values enshrined in Chapter 10 of the Constitution

Professionalism according to NSG framework must be underpinned by:

1. A singularity of public sector professionalism (i.e. one public service).

2. Subscribing to the Public Service Charter and the Batho Pele principles, where the public receives services without fear or favour, a non-partisan public service.

3. The public service must be seen as a career of choice, where career public servants are developed

4. Registration with professional bodies, including participating in the training regimen of those bodies

six elements that constitute professionalism:

• Self-awareness and shared attributes among a group of people (‘esprit de corps’).

• Professionalism based on explicit written knowledge.

• Commitment to apply the knowledge in the field.

• Strict adherence to organisational code of ethics and conduct.

• Formalised within an organisational structure.

• Formal recognition of outstanding performance

Structural attributes are characterised through a ‘professionalisation’ process” which has the following four stages:

• Creating full-time occupations;

• Establishing a training school;

• Forming professional associations;

• Forming code of ethics.

Attitudinal attributes of professionalism include:

• The use of the professional organisation as a main source of reference;

• Belief in service to the public;

• Belief in self-regulation;

• A sense of calling to the profession;

• Perceived autonomy in work

How can we foster Professionalism in the Public Sector: Ethical recruitment

PSC Roundtable Report (2018:1) clearly states that meritocratic recruitment, especially at the senior management level, is important to support a professional public service.

How can we foster Professionalism in the Public Sector: Enforcing a code of ethics

The basic code of ethics includes:

• Serving the public interest

• Transparency and accountability

• Integrity

• Legitimacy

• Fairness

• Responsiveness

• Efficiency and effectiveness.

Developing a systematic approach to professionalism

In order to professionalise the public sector, a new approach that includes changing the value chain in terms of recruitment and selection to creating career public servants has to be adopted.

Professionalisation in the public sector

• Professionalisation of the public sector refers to the subscription by all public servants to the basic values and principles of public administration as enshrined in Chapter 10 of the Constitution including the values espoused in the Public Service Charter

• the commitment to upholding the principles of Batho Pele by showing empathy towards the plight of the citizenry, especially those who rely on government goods and services for their daily living.

• refers to the uninterrupted career longevity of public servants who are there to do their job, regardless of any changes of Ministers, MECs or councilors.

• In this context, professionalisation is considered the creation of an environment of integrity that insulates public servants from any political interference.

• The professionalisation of the public sector is about full recognition of the various professional categories within the sector and subjecting them to registration with externally regulated professional bodies

Considerations that need to be put in place for the professionalisation of the public sector: the partnerships and relationships

The partnerships and relationships between the State and professional bodies (statutory and non-statutory) are critical in the professionalization of the public sector

Considerations that need to be put in place for the professionalisation of the public sector: ethical conduct

The ethical conduct of public servants is a foundational component of professionalization and professionalism. Ethical conduct needs to be considered during the recruitment process with specific reference to the following: How are the new recruits/employees tested to ensure a proper foundation in ethics-based decision-making?

Considerations that need to be put in place for the professionalisation of the public sector: capacity

Capacity (capable, career-oriented and professional public service

Government initiatives to promote the professionalisation of the public sector: senior management service (sms)

• Chapter 5 of the Public Service Regulations, 2016 (PSR) provides for the establishment of the SMS to: promote a public service management culture of excellence based on the values and principles in section 195(1) of the Constitution and the provisions of the Act

• Handbook for the appointment of persons to boards of state and state institutions was approved by Cabinet on 17 September 2008. It was developed in response to Cabinet’s expectations that clear guidelines be developed for appointing persons to boards, including an explanation of how Executive Authorities (Ministers) can deal with such appointments and a specification of the approval processes to be followed (DPSA, 2009

Government initiatives to promote the professionalisation of the public sector: Public service internship programme

The Public Service Internship Programme is a public service graduate work experience Programme targeting unemployed graduates to provide them with work experience or an opportunity to practice the work skills they have studied and will practice in the future

Government initiatives to promote the professionalisation of the public sector: Implementation of compulsory training programmes

Implementation of compulsory training programmes

The importance of Professionalisation of the Public Sector: Improved Efficiency and Effectiveness

• Enhanced Skills and Expertise: Professionalisation ensures that public sector employees have the necessary skills and expertise to perform their duties efficiently. This leads to better service delivery and more effective implementation of policies and programs.

• Standardised Practices: Professional standards and training programs help to standardise practices across the public sector, reducing variability in service quality and increasing predictability

The importance of Professionalisation of the Public Sector: Accountability and transparency

• Ethical Standards: Professionalisation often involves the establishment of ethical standards and codes of conduct, which promote accountability and transparency in government operations

• Performance Measurement: With a professionalised workforce, it becomes easier to implement performance measurement systems, which can be used to hold public servants accountable for their actions.

The importance of Professionalisation of the Public Sector: Public trust and confidence

Reliability: Professionalization helps in building a reliable and competent public service, which can enhance public trust and confidence in government institutions

Integrity: A professional public sector is perceived as more honest and impartial, reducing instances of corruption and fostering a culture of integrity

The importance of Professionalisation of the Public Sector: Policy Implementation and Innovation

• Effective Policy Implementation: Professionals are better equipped to implement complex policies and programs, ensuring that government initiatives achieve their intended outcomes.

• Innovation and Adaptation: Professionalization encourages continuous learning and development, enabling public sector employees to innovate and adapt to new challenges and changing environments.

The importance of Professionalisation of the Public Sector: Economic Development

• Efficient Resource Management: Professional public servants are more likely to manage resources efficiently, leading to better allocation and utilization of public funds.

• Attracting Investment: A well-functioning public sector can create a stable and predictable environment that attracts both domestic and foreign investment, contributing to economic growth.

The importance of Professionalisation of the Public Sector: Social Equity and Inclusiveness

Fair Service Delivery: Professionalization promotes fair and equitable service delivery, ensuring that all citizens have access to public services regardless of their background.

Responsive Governance: A professional public sector is more responsive to the needs of the population, particularly marginalized and vulnerable groups, thereby promoting social inclusion.

The importance of Professionalisation of the Public Sector: Global competitiveness

Global Competitiveness

The importance of Professionalisation of the Public Sector: International standards

Professionalization aligns the public sector with international standards and best practices, enhancing the country’s global competitiveness.