The Public Service Commission, PSC, and the Public Sector Reform Unit, PSRU, have signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Public Administration International, PAI, for stronger collaboration and partnership focusing on capacity building, knowledge sharing, and the development of sustainable Public Service Reform Programmes.

The three signatories were; Mr. Kalilu O. Bah, Chairman Public Service Commission, PSC, Mr. Sulaiman Phoray-Musa, Director Public Sector Reform Unit, PSRU and Claire Cameron for the Director of PAI. The signing ceremony took place at the PAI Headquarters in London on Thursday 5th September, 2024.

The scope of the MoU involves Capacity building which involves development and implementation of training programmes for public service employees to enhance their skills and competencies in areas such as governance, Human Resource Management, digital transformation, legislative reform, monitoring and evaluation, policy formulation, leadership, and management.

It also includes knowledge Sharing through the exchange of best practices, research, case studies, and other relevant information to enhance the effectiveness of Public Sector Reforms in Sierra Leone.

The MoU also covers Technical Assistance through the provision of expert advice, consultation, and support to the Public Service in designing and implementing Public Sector Reforms.

The MoU will also involve joint Initiatives through the development and execution of joint projects, workshops, seminars, and conferences aimed at promoting good governance and efficient public administration.

According to the Director of PSRU, Mr. Sulaiman Phoray-Musa, a twelve-point agreement was signed by the three parties. The agreement would be of mutual benefit to all the parties and shall be conducted always in a well-intentioned manner based on a regular exchange of dialogue, information and other material support.

Mr. Phoray-Musa says the terms of the Agreement positions PSRU to act as a partner of PAI in Sierra Leone as both parties have acknowledged and agreed that they shall have the right to appoint one or more other delivery partners to provide Services for Sierra Leone and elsewhere.

The agreement also states that PSRU and PAI will collaborate in the delivery of training programmes in the UK, Sierra Leone and mutually agreed other locations, whilst PAI will verify through PSRU all applicants for their scheduled professional development workshops.

The agreement concluded that neither party shall permit a third party to use workshop materials belonging to PAI or PSRU.  Any and all materials developed for all workshops/Services delivered in Sierra Leone, London or other locations, will remain the property of the party that developed those materials and all intellectual property rights to the use of materials will be held by the said party in perpetuity.

The implementation of the MoU will be overseen by a Joint Steering Committee comprising representatives from both PSRU and PAI. This committee will meet quarterly (through zoom or otherwise) to: review progress on ongoing initiatives, discuss and approve new joint initiatives, address any challenges or obstacles encountered in the implementation of the MoU, and ensure alignment of activities with the overall objectives of the partnership.

Following successful completion of the six-month trial period, the MoU will remain in place for a period of three (3) years from the original date of signing, with the option for renewal upon mutual agreement. Either party may terminate the MoU with three months interval through written notice to the other party. In the event of termination, both parties will work together to ensure an orderly conclusion of ongoing activities.

The agreement states that each party will be responsible for its own costs and expenses incurred in the implementation of the MoU unless otherwise agreed upon for specific joint initiatives. Any funding requirements for joint activities will be mutually agreed upon and documented in separate agreements.

Both parties agreed to maintain the confidentiality of any sensitive or proprietary information shared during the course of this partnership, unless disclosure is required by law or agreed upon in writing by both parties.

Any disputes arising from the interpretation or implementation of the MoU will be resolved amicably through consultation and negotiation between the parties. If a resolution cannot be reached, the matter will be escalated to the senior leadership of both organizations.