(Insert Departmental Letterhead)
TO ALL STAFF MEMBERS
Staff Circular No. 1 of 2014
BRIEFING TO STAFF ON THE NATIONAL MACRO ORGANISING (NMOS) PROJECT, 2014
Background
Following the national elections held on 7 May 2014, the President of the Republic of South Africa on 25 May 2014 announced the appointment of new Ministers and Deputy Ministers who will serve in the new administration. On the same day the President announced that certain ministries and departments have been reconfigured and functions will be transferred. In certain instances new ministries will be established.
To manage the NMOS project a National Steering Committee chaired by the Director-General in the Presidency has been established. The Steering Committee consists of the Director-Generals of centre of government departments and all affected departments.
The NMOS programme is scheduled for completion during the period from May 2014 to October 2014. The project plan provides for the following deliverables with end dates as indicated:
(a)Establish programme governance structures - June 2014.
(b)Preparation for programme execution by work-streams – June 2014.
(c)Transfer the administration of legislation to Ministers - end June 2014.
(d)Transfer of functions - end September 2014.
(e)Organisational structuring of affected departments - end September 2014.
(f)Nomenclature changes listing of new departments - end June 2014.
(g)Infrastructure and Assets - end August 2014.
(h)Finance and Budgets - end September 2014.
(i)ICT systems - end August 2014.
(j)Legal matters - endSeptember 2014.
(k)Change management and communication - ongoing.
Note that most of the above-mentioned deliverables will run concurrently.
The DPSA has been tasked to manage the project on behalf of the National Steering Committee with the collaboration by affected departments, the National Treasury, Department of Public Works and the State Law Advisor.
Departmental Project Management
As part of the overall project management process, affected departments are required to establish Departmental Project Teams consisting of both the existing and affected departments and chaired by the Directors-General of those departments or delegated officials.
Accordingly a Departmental Project Team, supported by work-streams, has been established to give administrative effect to the President's announcement:
Chairperson:......
Co-Chairperson:......
Supported by: ......
The following work-streams are established to support implementation:
Work-Streams:
1. Organisational Scoping, Design HR Staff Audit and Organisational Design
Work-Stream Leader:......
Supported by:......
2. Infrastructure (facilities) and Assets
Work-Stream Leader:......
Supported by:......
3. Finance and Budgets
Work-Stream Leader:......
Supported by:......
4.ICT Systems
Work-Stream Leader:......
Supported by:......
5. Legal and policy matters
Work-Stream Leader:......
Supported by:......
6. Labour Relations, Change Management and Communication
Work-Stream Leader:......
Supported by:......
Progress made by Departmental Project Team
(Indicate under this heading progress made per work-stream)
Key Project Deliverables
The DPSA with the assistance of the State Law Advisor has prepared and submitted a Presidential Proclamation to amend Schedule 1 of the Public Service Act so as to establish or rename affected departments.
The DPSA with the assistance of the State Law Advisor and legal services of affected departments is in the process of finalising a Presidential proclamation, in terms of section 97 of the Constitution,to transfer to a member of Cabinet the relevant administration of legislation entrusted to another member of Cabinet. In instances where the National Executive must make further policy decisions on the transfer of functions in terms of the Constitution more than one Proclamation may follow so as not to delay the affected departments who are ready.
Implications for affected staff
At a meeting of the PSCBC on 20 June 2013 the DPSA made a presentation to inform parties on the project approach, processes and principles emanating from the NMOS project.
At the meeting the DPSA on behalf of the employer and the Trade Union parties agreed that employment security is a priority, and no employee shall be negatively affected as a result of the transfer and ring fencing process.
The PSCBC resolved to enter into an agreement on the human resource principles governing the NMOS project. This agreement will also provide the basis for affected departments to consult Trade Unions in the Departmental Bargaining Chambers and direct the contents of the Transfer Agreements that affected departments must consult with Trade Union parties.
Please note that the PSCBC agreement, once signed, will be made available to all parties and employees and be posted with all other project documentation on the website of the DPSA. All NMOS project documentation can be found on the website by copying the following link into your browser:
http://www.dpsa.gov.za/dpsa2g/nmos_documents.asp
Conclusion
As you may be aware this is a substantial project with tight timeframes and needs to be managed very closely by the Director-General or his/her nominated Departmental Project Leader supported by the work-streams. To this end the Departmental Project Team will meet every week and the work-streams will meet more regularly as the need dictates.
I want to ensure every official that it is our intention to have the task finalised as soon as possible with as little as possible disruption in service delivery. You will be kept abreast with development on a regular basis.
I would like to take this opportunity to support the process and thank you for your co-operation.
Kind Regards
Director-General: ......
Date: ......
1