EAC to change organizational structure, may downsize

The East African Community has embarked on a landmark work-load analysis and job evaluation exercise that could substantially alter the organizational structure of the Community.

The 15-day exercise which is being conducted by experts from the six EAC partner States has been convened in line with the directive of the 35th Meeting of the Council of Ministers which was held on April 4, 2017 in Arusha, Tanzania which approved the terms of reference for work-load analysis and job evaluation.

The experts are drawn from the Public Service Commissions as well Ministries of Public Service in the partner States.

Speaking at the opening of the exercise, EAC Secretary General, Liberat Mfumukeko said that one of the expected outcomes of the exercise would be a new organizational structure for the Community.

Mfumukeko said that the desired structure should be flexible and decentralized to allow speedy decision-making at all levels of the Community using fewer resources.

"To explain the relationship between EAC and the Partner States, I wish to point out that the role of the Secretariat is to coordinate and not implement projects and programmes," he added.

The scope of the meeting which has been convened by the EAC Ad Hoc Service Commission includes: Undertaking a comprehensive analysis of all positions in the Organs and Institutions; Undertaking a comprehensive analysis of the proposed structures for EAC Organs and Institutions; Proposing a new Grading Structure for the Community, and; Reviewing and updating Job Descriptions for staff in the proposed structures.

The meeting will also: determine optimal staffing levels for EAC organs and institutions, and; determine an appropriate salary structure for the Community.

The SG advised the experts that effectively undertaking the assignment requires proper understanding of the direction that the Community would take over the next five years as portrayed in the 5th EAC Development Strategy that was launched by the Heads of State at their 19th Ordinary Meeting held in Kampala, Uganda on February 23, 2018.

"The expected organization structure will assist in the implementation of the above strategy. The work-load analysis and job evaluation will cover all EAC Organs and Institutions," he said.

In his remarks, Frank Musingiwiire, the Deputy Secretary in the Uganda Public Service Commission, on behalf the Chairperson of the EAC adhoc Service Commission, emphasized that the exercise would transform the Community for betterment of EAC Citizens.

 

Musingwiire urged EAC Staff and other stakeholders to own the process which he said would be as transparent as possible. He called on EAC staff to prepare and actively participate in the exercise.

 

EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration, Jesca Eriyo, said that the work-load analysis and job evaluation is a continuation of the institutional review which has been ongoing at the EAC for some time.

 

The 19th Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State resolved that there would only be two Deputy Secretaries General (DSGs), down from four, at the EAC Secretariat who shall be recruited competitively on a rotational basis.

 

The Summit directed the Council to follow up on the issue and conclude the restructuring of the Community. The EAC currently has four DSGs whose functional roles are: Planning and Infrastructure; Productive and Social Sectors; Finance and Administration, and; Political Federation.

 

Consequently, Eriyo, the DSG in charge of Finance and Administration, whose second and final term expires in April 2018, will not be replaced.

 

The EAC Organs - EAC Secretariat (EACS), East African Court of Justice (EACJ) and East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) - currently have a combined staffing of 314 officers, who are either established, project or short-term staff.



The Secretariat has the majority at 228, EACJ 53 while EALA has 33 members of staff.