The Jamaican Government extended its public sector modernisation process to the Ministry of National Security (MNS) and its Immigration, Citizenship and Passport Services Division (ICPSD) in 2005. This was in response to a range of factors including the increased crime, gang-related activity and drug trafficking which now threaten the country and pressure to deliver more effective policing, corrections and other security related services to the public. The Government’s objective in modernising is to strengthen the capacity of the MNS to formulate and implement effective policy and to monitor the delivery of policy objectives by its Departments and Agencies. At the same time, it intends to embed a more performance-oriented and customer-focused style of operation in the ICPSD, by giving the department Executive Agency status.

Atos Consulting supported the MNS and ICPSD on the overall management of the modernisation programmes including: design and development of the programme; monitoring progress against plans; ensuring that all activities are underpinned by stakeholder participation and consultation; and co-ordinating with other relevant public sector reform projects to allow synergies to be exploited.

The Atos Consulting team worked with counterparts in the MNS and ICPSD, and with staff from the Government’s Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU) to:

• Embed the policy cycle within the MNS through the creation of a new Policy Directorate, which will take responsibility for formulating policies, analysing key policy issues, and monitoring and evaluating policy implementation;
• Design new business and management processes for the MNS that integrate corporate planning, budgeting and performance monitoring, and that support improved service delivery;
• Develop staff transition plans for both the MNS and ICPSD and support the implementation of staff transition activities so that they take place in a co-ordinated fashion, that key stakeholders are consulted appropriately, and that communication activities take place in a timely manner;
• Develop modern HR management processes and procedures in support of the delegation of HR responsibilities from the Cabinet Office to the MNS;
• Establish a corporate services structure for the new Agency and mentor the corporate services team in their new roles;
• Design and implement training needs analyses, identifying suitable training mechanisms through which to ensure that MNS and ICPSD staff have the necessary skills to carry out the new roles and functions arising from the modernisation process;
• Design and implement modern personnel, building and IT protective security standards, procedures and inspection processes for both the MNS, its Departments and Agencies and for Government as a whole;
• Develop new business processes for the delivery of passport, citizenship and immigration services, including decentralisation across Jamaica and the establishment of Agency staff in overseas missions;
• Develop information technology strategies for the MNS and ICPSD, and where appropriate, working with them to upgrade existing information systems, ensuring that both organisations make effective use of technology in support of service delivery;
• Identify the physical facilities requirements of both the MNS and ICPSD, in light of the changes expected under the modernisation programme; and

Strengthen the PSRU’s own capacity to drive forward the modernisation process, through action learning and mentoring