The Australian Public Service Commission has released a strategy to strengthen integrity in the APS. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Federal Government agencies can expect more visits from the Australian Public Service Commission as it tries to bolster integrity practices across the sector.
The Commission has just released its Strengthening Integrity in the APS Strategy, setting out four key objectives, three focus areas and an overall action plan for progress.
“Integrity is fundamental to public trust in government and the Australian Public Service as a whole,” the strategy states.
“The APSC supports the Australian Public Service to be aware of and understand its obligations, to achieve better outcomes across the whole of the service.
“As agencies adapt to legislative reforms, new policy requirements and the changing needs of the Australian people and government, there may be gaps in agency systems, processes or behaviour that need to be addressed.
“Where opportunities for improvement are identified, the APSC engages with agencies to support improvement in a way that reduces risk and is appropriate for the operating environment.”
The four objectives under the strategy aim to strengthen the APS Commissioner’s functions with regards to integrity.
Those objectives are:
- pro-actively using data to develop insights to monitor and evaluate the extent to which agencies incorporate and uphold the APS Values and Employment Principles;
- developing dynamic and engaging promotional activities that support people to know what integrity means in the APS, building awareness and understanding of the APS Values, APS Employment Principles and Code of Conduct to drive ethical behaviour;
- making it easier to find guidance, advice and resources to build capability and support people to take action and make decisions that are consistent with the framework; and
- increasing the capability of agencies to deliver on workforce management with particular effort on uplifting investigative and recruitment skills as two important fundamentals of integrity.
The three focus areas for delivery of the strategy are monitoring and evaluation, assurance, and promotion and capability.
“The focus areas are linked to enable continuous improvement and strengthen how the employment and integrity framework is administered,” it states.
There will be more “check-ins from the APSC”, which will be proactive in monitoring integrity practices and a rigorous feedback system will be implemented.
“Agencies will achieve greater confidence they are operating in accordance with the employment and integrity framework, through increased collaboration with the APSC,” the strategy states.
The Commission’s initial areas of interest will be in recruitment and conflict of interest management.
“These activities carry inherent integrity risks that require appropriate management,” it says.
“Feedback from agencies – through interdepartmental committees, individual agency engagement and the APSC’s advice services – indicates there is a need for increased support to identify and respond to risks in these areas.”
Effective delivery of the strategy is intended to achieve greater assurance that APS agency heads and employees are aware of their obligations and understand how to act.
Increased awareness and understanding of workforce and integrity risks across the APS, to prevent and mitigate integrity issues before they arise, is another goal, as is greater assurance of high standards of accountability.
The strategy’s action plan takes the form of three phases (it’s calling them horizons), the first for the next 12 months, the next for the following year and then an ongoing phase.
“The first horizon will design and establish an operating and assurance model to implement the strategy into APSC work programs, including building data capability,” it states.
“Use of data to inform insights will likely evolve over multiple horizons. Documenting how monitoring occurs forms a key part of the monitoring and evaluation and assurance focus areas.
“The second horizon will embed and improve the operating model, including enhancing the link between capability and promotion activities and insights gained through monitoring and evaluation. It may include adjusting and introducing new actions.
“The third horizon will continue to review, strengthen and enhance the relationship between strategy outcomes and broader public sector integrity initiatives.
“A high level intent has been established for each horizon.”
Original Article published by Chris Johnson on Region Canberra.
