PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
SERVICE provides governments, boards, commissions, and associated enterprises
with assistance in the following areas:
Organization and Management
PAS was established to provide as its basic mission consulting and technical
assistance to public and quasi-public organizations in order to improve the
quality and effectiveness of public services. Over the years it has focused
on problems of organization and management; and such issues as
inter-jurisdictional or interagency relationships, policy planning and
development, organizational structure, establishing operational policies and
procedures, communications, coordination and supervision, budgeting, and
human resources development. PAS believes that effective management is the
key to the success of any institution, regardless of size or mission.
Developing appropriate methods for improving efficiency and effectiveness is
an essential element of an improvement program, requiring an understanding
of management systems, manpower planning, and organizational analysis. The
numerous management audits and other projects successfully conducted by PAS
involving management issues and problems in which its acquired institutional
skills have been applied are testimony to the effectiveness of PAS'
management consulting services. PAS has frequently provided specialists to
participate in project preparation, identification, and appraisal missions
of the World Bank, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United
Nations, the U.N. Development Program, and other entities of the United
Nations family.
Human Resources Management
For over 60 years PAS has assisted with a very wide range of human resources
management improvement programs in the United States and throughout the
world. Domestically, PAS projects have included undertakings for numerous
federal agencies of the United States; for more than two-thirds of the
American states; and for hundreds of counties, municipalities, special
districts, and other public and quasi-public authorities.
Work in developing countries has included projects in numerous countries of
the Caribbean and Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
Overseas and domestic projects include important elements in the field of
human resource administration, including civil service reform, service
delivery performance standards and related compensation, position
classification and compensation systems, computerization and staffing
studies, and training. PAS' record of accomplishment extends to the
successful design and installation of human resource management systems.
Human Resource Development and Training
Any human resource development and/or training strategy or plan should have
as its primary objective the development of the capability of the client
country to assume and maintain responsibility for updating its development
program and conducting appropriate training activities. The training
process should be integrated into existing networks and the clients suitably
prepared to adapt to new issues and problems which arise after the
consultant team's departure. PAS assures this by maintaining a close
working relationship with client institutions early in the project so that
ongoing training may be systematically reviewed and adapted to meet the
changing needs and priorities of the client.
In
all international projects PAS provides both formal training and on the job
training. As a part of on the job-training program, PAS asks clients to
identify and assign sufficient counterparts for the projects. These
counterparts work closely with consultants and become an organizational
resource.
Implementation Services and Assistance
Too many projects with good intentions result in
a series of reports and associated recommendations with a final outcome that
does not result in an action plan that is useful for implementation of
project goals and objectives. PAS is noted for its ability to provide
implementation assistance, training and installation of report
recommendations, and systems and procedures resulting in client utilization
of consulting products and outputs.
PAS not only develops an implementation action plan but also provides
services to carry out the plan ranging from project management of
contractors/vendors or employees, through total “turn key services” in which
we strengthen organizations, implement the plan, train local personnel to
take over operations, and monitor their progress. PAS carries out
implementation services in many diverse functional areas and jurisdictions
such as local governments, public works and utilities, information and
communications systems, organizational development, law enforcement, and
financial systems.
Planning and Budgeting Systems
PAS has demonstrated institutional capability in all aspects of planning and
sectoral analyses ranging from central or national planning to departmental
and jurisdictional planning.
In
many nations at various levels of development, PAS has prepared broad-based,
well organized planning systems to facilitate the understanding of the
economy, stimulate it, and sustain or control growth. An important aspect
of any planning system is its capacity for effective implementation. Close
attention is given to the following points early in the design of PAS
planning systems:
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Valid assessments of existing and project
sectoral conditions and how they relate to the planning system.
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Compatibility of developmental and social
objectives with national goals.
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Adaptability of planning/implementation
processes with existing governmental structures.
In
addition, PAS has developed budgeting systems and program control procedures
for local, state, and federal governments and agencies. Automated project
accounting systems have also been installed in local governments, and
systems to establish budgetary priorities have been put in place in
governments at all levels both in the United States and internationally.
Management Information Systems and Automation
Planning
Information systems studies and plans encompass review of existing computer
hardware, software, communications, and related technology and making
recommendations for improving systems to facilitate achieving the corporate
goals of the organization.
Financial Analysis, Administration and
Management
The use of government resources in response to perceived or real societal
and institutional needs is effectively monitored and controlled through the
use of modern, accepted financial methods and techniques. PAS has a
demonstrated institutional capability in providing technical assistance for
improving the capacity of government departments and agencies to handle
effectively the financial management functions for which they are
responsible.
Over the years, PAS has developed and installed numerous financial
management systems in various international and domestic government
agencies. Specific services provided have extended to the examination and
assessment of such financial operations as general accounting, auditing,
cost accounting, cashiering, taxation, billing, payroll, purchasing and
stores, and other related activities.
Water and Wastewater
In
the 1950's, PAS completed its first project involving organization and
management consulting services for water and wastewater facilities in
developing countries. Services typically provided over the years in the
water and wastewater field have included comprehensive studies of the
organization and management of national, regional, and municipal government
utilities, systems development, and implementation of study
recommendations. Projects have included the following components:
developing and installing improved administrative and management systems and
procedures; providing technical assistance in developing and installing
computer-based management information systems; improving overall operations;
establishing manpower development and utilization programs, assessing
training needs, conducting training programs; and developing and installing
financial and business systems; privatization, and private sector
participation in the provision of services.
Public Works Management
PAS has been widely engaged in providing assistance to governments in the
management of public works, both domestically and internationally for many
years and, as a result, PAS has developed considerable expertise in the
management of public water, sewerage, and highway services. Institutional
and staff experience have been consolidated into a capability for providing
responsible assistance in the solution of problems ranging from the
establishment of basic organizational and administrative arrangements to
management of construction and maintenance activities, often accompanied by
the design and implementation of progress monitoring systems.
Procurement and Materials Management Systems
Enhancement
Public Administration Service has carried out procurement, materials
management, and purchasing studies as part of overall organization and
management studies, financial systems studies, and as separate studies.
These studies have been carried out for local government clients and
enterprise activities in the United States, for governments internationally
at all levels, and in privatized organizations.
Project Monitoring and Reporting Systems
PAS has been involved in assisting developing countries in the design and
implementation of project monitoring systems. This assistance has been
extended to all governmental levels including national agencies, line
operating agencies, state enterprises, and local units of government.
Privatization and Divestiture Analysis
In
recent years, it has been demonstrated that in many cases it is more cost
effective and efficient for governments to focus on providing health,
welfare, and safety services while encouraging the private sector to deliver
other services. PAS has a systematic approach for assisting governments in
deciding whether to privatize, determining which form would be most
beneficial in their circumstance, and in managing and monitoring the
privatization process. PAS has been associated with the Center for
Privatization in Washington, D.C., and has worked in numerous countries to
privatize organizations and institutions such as:
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Highway and construction corporations
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Development banks
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Land development authorities
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Harbor authorities
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Airlines
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Mortgage banks
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Trust estates
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Shipping corporations
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Storage/warehousing corporations
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Water and sewerage authorities
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Smallholder organizations
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Cooperatives
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Stock exchanges
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