Iraq Administrative Reform Project Monthly Progress Report – September 2011

The project's objectives were introduced to various government entities, including ministries and governor's offices, in September 2011. USAID/Tarabot's National Public Management Program conducted a two-week tour to discuss the implementation of the Regulatory GuillotineTM approach with key stakeholders from the public and private sectors. This initiative established regulatory reform as a flagship program for the Tarabot Project and USAID. The project's Civil Service Reform component works under the guidance of the High Committee for Civil Service Reform and Human Resource Development. In September, the committee resumed its regular meetings and prioritized completing the revisions to the draft Civil Service Reform bill. The revisions aimed to bring the proposed law in harmony with the Federal Civil Service Commission Law and included changes resulting from stakeholder reviews. The committee also agreed to meet twice a week to expedite the process. The establishment of the Federal Civil Service Commission is a crucial aspect of the project. Discussions with the government indicated that the long-stalled appointments of commissioners are being moved forward. These appointments will pave the way for establishing the Civil Service Institute and Provincial Civil Service Commissions, as well as developing the federal commission itself. Human Resources Management is another priority area for the project. The High Committee approved the expansion of the Human Resources Development (HRD) pilot ministries from five to ten, plus three pilot provinces/governorates. USAID/Tarabot is developing workshop materials to support the next rounds of national HRD workshops for ministries and governorates. The project also focuses on the development of a Human Resources Management Information System (HRMIS). The USAID/Tarabot Civil Service team met with the Government of Iraq's HRMIS Committee, which decided to replicate and adapt the HRMIS system nationwide. The government has committed to establishing a national HRMIS and is expecting technical assistance from USAID/Tarabot. Regulatory reform is a critical area of focus for the project. USAID/Tarabot's senior consultant in regulatory reform, Mr. Scott Jacobs, introduced the Regulatory GuillotineTM approach to key stakeholders, including the Government of Iraq's Executive Offices, the Council of Ministers, and private sector institutions. The response to the approach was overwhelmingly positive, with the private sector offering to assist in the program. The Prime Minister sponsored a conference to engage leading economic ministries' deputy ministers in the process.