National Standards for Organization and Management Survey, 2082: Conditions for a Brief Survey and Matters to Be Considered
Introduction
An Organization and Management (O&M) Survey is a systematic assessment conducted to establish a government organization, create or review staff positions, and improve organizational structure, work distribution, and service delivery. The National Standards for Organization and Management Survey, 2082, aim to make such surveys objective, consistent, economical, and results-oriented across the federal, provincial, and local levels of government.
1. Conditions for Conducting a Brief O&M Survey
A brief O&M survey may be conducted in the following circumstances, subject to the required approval from the concerned executive authority. Approval must be obtained from the Government of Nepal, Council of Ministers, at the federal level; the Provincial Council of Ministers at the provincial level; and the concerned local executive at the local level.
No additional positions: When organizational adjustments can be made without increasing the number of staff positions.
Adjustment of existing units: When some positions need to be rearranged by modifying branches or sections within the existing organizational structure.
Reduction of positions: When staff positions need to be reduced without changing the existing organizational structure.
Minor managerial improvements: When minor improvements are required in organizational work procedures and management.
Changes in responsibilities: When the functions or responsibilities of an organization are modified or reassigned.
Abolition of structures or positions: When an organizational unit or existing staff positions need to be abolished.
2. Matters to Be Considered During an O&M Survey
According to the National Standards for Organization and Management Survey, 2082, the following matters should receive particular attention:
a. Respect for Jurisdiction across the Three Tiers of Government
Federal structures should be retained only for matters falling within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federation and for functions that cannot effectively be performed by provincial or local governments. Provinces should avoid establishing separate sectoral offices for functions that can be performed by local governments.
b. Cost-effectiveness
Organizational structures should be placed at the level of government best suited to perform the relevant functions in terms of cost, sustainability, and service delivery effectiveness. Structures should not be maintained at the federal or provincial level when the functions can be performed more appropriately by provincial or local governments, respectively.
c. Prevention of Duplication
Organizational structures and staff positions should be designed to avoid duplication of functions among government tiers and public entities.
d. Clarity of Institutional Responsibilities
The responsibilities of each public entity should be clearly defined. Separate departments or committees should not be established to perform the same functions. Central departments or equivalent offices should generally be retained for regulatory functions and direct service delivery.
e. Lean, Efficient, and Functional Organizations
Organizational structures should be simple, efficient, and focused on core functions. Departments or central offices at the departmental level should not be established solely to perform monitoring, coordination, facilitation, and evaluation functions.
f. Integrated Offices and One-Stop Service Delivery
Where multiple offices would otherwise operate at the divisional or district level, integrated offices should be considered to provide coordinated services through a one-stop service delivery system.
g. Population and Geographical Conditions
The population served, geographical conditions, workload, and accessibility of services should be assessed before establishing separate offices. Where the workload is low, integrated service delivery should be preferred over maintaining separate offices for individual sectors.
h. Intergovernmental Cooperation in Service Delivery
The minimum service standards, geographical coverage, population served, and possibilities for intergovernmental cooperation should be considered. For specialized and referral services that cannot feasibly be provided separately by every local government, suitable provincial-level structures and staff positions may be arranged where service delivery at the provincial level is appropriate.
Conclusion
The National Standards for Organization and Management Survey, 2082, provide a common framework for establishing and reviewing organizational structures and staff positions across the three tiers of government. The standards emphasize the elimination of duplication, clear allocation of responsibilities, cost-effectiveness, intergovernmental coordination, and accessible, quality public services. Their effective implementation can contribute to a leaner, more functional, and citizen-oriented public administration.
Keywords: Organization and Management Survey, O&M Survey, National Standards 2082, Public Administration, Federalism, Loksewa Preparation, PSCInsight
Reference: The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has published the National Standards for Organization and Management Survey, 2082.