Course Overview

The Public Sector Management and Reform programme provides participants with practical knowledge of public administration, governance systems, and public sector reform strategies.

The course explores public financial management, service delivery, governance frameworks, social policy, and organisational reform approaches used to improve efficiency, accountability, and public sector performance. Participants will gain practical insights into managing public resources, implementing reforms, and supporting effective governance in complex and changing environments.

Agenda

Day — 1 Foundations of Public Sector Management and Reform

• Understanding the concept, scope, and functions of public sector management
• Exploring the role of the state in delivering public services and supporting governance
• Differentiating between centralised and decentralised state structures and administration systems
• Examining political systems and their impact on governance and public administration
• Exploring the key drivers, challenges, and pressures influencing public sector reform
• Understanding methods and approaches for designing effective public sector reform strategies
• Exploring regulatory frameworks and governance structures in public sector management

Day — 2 Financial Reform and Public Financial Management

• Understanding the macroeconomic and fiscal context of public financial management
• Exploring how economic conditions influence public financial decisions and government planning
• Examining public revenue sources and financial reform strategies
• Understanding public spending priorities, allocation methods, and fiscal responsibilities
• Assessing the impact of spending decisions on financial stability and economic sustainability

Modern Budgeting and Strategic Planning Approaches

• Exploring modern budgeting and strategic financial planning methods, including:
  • Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF)
  • Performance Budgeting
  • Zero-Based Budgeting
• Understanding strategies for improving public expenditure efficiency and strengthening financial decision-making

Day — 3 Social Policies and Management

• Understanding the fundamentals, objectives, and emerging trends in social policy and public service management
• Examining key social policy sectors and public service areas
• Understanding social protection systems and approaches to social policy reform
• Exploring healthcare and education reform strategies and their impact on society
• Understanding targeting mechanisms and subsidy reform approaches in social policy
• Exploring strategies to reduce social disparities and promote gender equality and inclusion

Day — 4 Public Resources and Service Delivery

• Understanding the principles of civil service reform and human capital development in the public sector
• Exploring strategies for effective management and allocation of public resources
• Understanding key principles of public service design and delivery
• Examining different service delivery models and institutional arrangements in the public sector
• Discussing the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in public service delivery
• Exploring approaches for improving public service quality, efficiency, and accessibility

Day — 5 Reform Implementation and Sustainability

• Understanding reform strategy design principles and implementation sequencing approaches
• Exploring change management methods within public sector environments
• Developing strategies for managing resistance to reform and addressing political risks
• Understanding techniques for measuring organisational performance and public value creation
• Exploring digital transformation initiatives and e-government solutions in public administration
• Analysing case studies of successful public sector reform programmes

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this Public Sector Management and Reform course, participants will be able to:

• Understand public sector management, including its scope, functions, and regulatory frameworks
• Analyse the role of the state in public service delivery and evaluate the impact of political and governance structures on public administration
• Examine the drivers, challenges, and strategies involved in designing and implementing public sector reforms
• Assess public financial management processes, including budgeting methods, revenue generation, and fiscal stability considerations
• Explore social policy management and evaluate social protection systems and gender equality initiatives
• Evaluate resource allocation, human resource management, and service delivery models to improve public service quality
• Develop strategies to sustain reform initiatives through performance monitoring, risk management, and continuous improvement

Who Should Attend

The Public Sector Management and Reform programme is designed for professionals involved in public administration, governance, and institutional reform, including:

• Government and Public Sector Professionals
• Policy Advisors and Analysts
• Professionals working in Ministries, Municipalities, and Regulatory Authorities
• NGO and International Organisation Staff
• Professionals involved in Public Administration, Reform, and Governance