The objective: To ensure increased capacity and capability of the Solomon Islands Ministry of Finance to provide quality advice to government on economic and public financial management.
Solomon Islands Ministry of Finance and Treasury is one of the largest ministries in Solomon Islands, with nearly 300 staff.
In addition to its work to strengthen the Solomon Islands economy and improve public finances, RAMSI provides assistance to build the capacity of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury to ensure that, as an organisation, it can support economic and financial policy reforms on a sustainable basis.
The strategy
RAMSI will work with the Solomon Islands Ministry of Finance and Treasury to:
- Improve the structure and services provided by the Ministry.
- Improve the professional skills of Ministry staff.
- Develop management and leadership capabilities within the Ministry.
- Assist the Ministry to improve the accountability of its performance.
To learn more about some of the specific targets that have been set for each strategy, download the Partnership Framework document.
The challenges
The main challenge faced by the Solomon Islands Government and RAMSI as they work to strengthen the Ministry of Finance and Treasury is the development of leadership and management competency. Underpinning this is the recruitment and retention of key staff. As key people are supported to further develop their skills, they have often, in the past, left the organisation for long periods to undertake study or to take up other employment.
RAMSI has helped to mitigate this issue, with its assistance focused on putting the skills and structures in place in the Ministry to ensure it can provide an environment for greater development of staff. A comprehensive Capacity Development Framework has been drafted with a focus on situating the responsibility for performance improvement within the Ministry.This framework will be finalised by the Ministry Capacity Development Steering Committee. Since 2008, RAMSI has also supported the Ministry in developing a graduate recruitment program.
RAMSI's work
RAMSI advisers work alongside their Solomon Islands colleagues in the Solomon Islands Ministry of Finance & Treasury’s Corporate Services Unit to help strengthen corporate functions such as financial reporting, human resource management and corporate planning. These systems enable the efficient running of the Ministry and are the foundations for the operation of economic and financial management. RAMSI advisers also support the Ministry of Finance & Treasury’s executive team with corporate management functions. This work covers the following key areas:
1. Ministry structure and services
Improving the structure of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury will help to ensure the organisation has the staff, processes and direction to perform its functions independently in the long-term. Key targets for this work include:
- The update and implementation of a new Ministry of Finance and Treasury Corporate Plan.
- The holding of regular Heads of Division meetings.
- The use of a Strategic Capacity Development Plan to guide sustainable performance improvement.
2. Skill development
Building sustainable skills within the Ministry of Finance and Treasury is a main focus of RAMSI's assistance. With a renewed sense of focus, the Ministry now has a range of programs to enhance the capacity and opportunities for current staff, and support the development of new graduates. The key targets for this work include:
- The implementation of a Ministry of Finance and Treasury Graduate program.
- The implementation of a Ministry-wide process for capacity development planning.
- An action learning, work - based Core Skills program for staff across the Ministry.
3. Developing management and leadership capabilities
Developing the future leaders of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury remains a core priority for establishing strong leadership within the Ministry . The key targets for this work include:
- Attendance by management and staff at relevant professional development programs.
- Filling of Ministry vacancies by appropriately qualified staff through a merit-based selection process.
- Establishment of a succession planning strategy.
4. Improving accountability
Ensuring the Ministry and its staff remain accountable to the people of Solomon Islands is a core focus for RAMSI's assistance. Key targets for this work include:
- The implementation of a staff performance appraisal system within the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.
- Timely publication of the Ministry's Annual Report.
Achievements so far
RAMSI's assistance in the strengthening of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury has seen a number of key achievements. Some of these include:
- A Graduate program is now in place within the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, with 10 RAMSI - funded graduates currently working in the Ministry, and several others already graduated into permanent Government positions.
- Improved systems of accountability for the Ministry of Finance and Treasury are now in place, including regular reviews of progress, and monthly ‘traffic light' reports on progress against corporate plans.
- Capacity development planning and review has now been introduced in the Ministry of Finance and Treasury. The Ministry's senior management have taken strong ownership of this process, holding full responsibility for developing and delivering capacity development plans.
- Corporate and Annual plans are now being completed on-time, consistently.