For many people, public service evokes images of government agencies and policy changes. But it can also mean the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to save others in emergency situations. And it may mean the volunteers who run local food banks or nurses who administer vaccines in community health clinics. In fact, the concept of public service is broader than ever, with more people than ever taking up roles in the public interest.
This is why it’s important to have the right framework in place to understand how to recruit, retain and develop employees with the skills and values that the new public sector needs. It requires a fundamental shift in how we approach recruitment and retention, which means opening middle- and upper-level jobs to competition from outside of government and making sure that those who work inside of it feel supported and challenged. It also means recognizing that career development is an ongoing obligation, not something that happens once someone is hired.
The guiding principles that we need to guide this effort are: Selflessness: public servants should act for the benefit of the public as a whole, placing their duty to the Constitution, laws and ethical principles above all other considerations. Integrity: public servants must be honest, trustworthy and morally upright, with a commitment to impartial judgment and independence. It is also essential that they are transparent in their decision-making and communication, and that they hold themselves accountable for their actions.