PROGRAM :

SUPPORT TO GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT MAINSTREAMING AND INSTITUTIONALIZATION IN THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, PHASE 2

The project aims to:

1. Enhance CSC’s capability in providing leadership and direction in making Human Resource Development and Management in government gender responsive;
2. Establish structures/mechanisms for institutionalizing gender mainstreaming in CSC’s policies and programs;
3. Increase the level of awareness and come up with a common understanding of GAD and other concepts relevant to CSC’s work among key officials and staff of the agency;
4. Strengthen top level support and commitment for GAD mainstreaming within the CSC as an organization and as an oversight agency for GAD;

This proposal, therefore, hopes to capture the articulated needs, vision and specific plans of the institution, and its constituents, from the top level management down to the rank and file for mainstreaming gender not only within the organization but also within the entire bureaucracy.

In general, the project aims to mainstream gender and development as a policy thrust of CSC as an organization and to introduce mechanisms and strategies towards developing gender-responsive human resource management and development systems. This then enables the CSC to perform its function as an oversight agency for GAD mainstreaming in the bureaucracy.

PROJECT COMPONENTS:

The following project components are aimed at building a stronger enabling environment for GAD mainstreaming and institutionalization in the CSC. These project components are in line with the following outcome level result of the CIDA-ISP II Project:

PROJECT COMPONENT NO. 1:

The GAD Awareness cum GAD Conceptual Clarity Session/s for CSC’s top-level and other key officials is envisioned to promote GAD awareness, enhance appreciation and generate top-level support for GAD in the agency. This is also seen as a very strategic activity for top-level endorsement of the CSC’s oversight functions outlined in the Oversight Agency Role Delineation matrix for GAD mainstreaming in the bureaucracy.

Activities being Undertaken:

Integration of GAD in the Values Orientation Workshop (VOW) Program

The project component seeks to integrate the GAD perspective in the CSC VOW program. It is recognized that one of the best ways to institutionalize/mainstream gender in every agency is through integrating GAD into its Human Resource Development/Management (HRD/M) programs. Integrating the gender perspective in VOW is also seen as strategic because of its multiplier effect, considering that this training is required of employees from all government agencies.

Activities being Undertaken:

• preparations for regional survey

The development of the Manual on How to Handle Sexual Harassment Cases will be useful in addressing the pressing need in both private and public sectors for a set of protocols to aid lawyers in the effective handling cases from the time the victim files his/her complaint to the actual hearing and final disposition of the case.

The development of the said manual will also generate in a compendium of sexual harassment cases from various possible sources, which will serve as annex to the said manual.

This project component was identified to address the need for strengthening the existing system of extending legal support to victims of sexual harassment through the refinement of existing protocols for the handling of sexual harassment cases. It will be an aid for the facilitation and dispensation of justice for victims of sexual harassment. Moreover, it may indirectly be a deterrent to sexual harassment through proper education among the general public.

Development of a Training Module on Gender and Governance

The Civil Service Commission, in its strategic role in the achievement of the country’s policy of mainstreaming Gender and Development in the bureaucracy, has to develop a mechanism which would adequately address the gender needs of women and men in the service. One of the gender needs identified in the CSC GAD Plan is the need for capability building among CSC employees.

The Merit and Promotion Plan is a vital and critical system for ensuring the strict observance of the merit principle in the selection of employees for promotion.

As the main advocate of meritocracy in the government, the CSC has to develop GAD-integrated Merit Promotion Plan that will serve as a model for adoption by all government offices.

 PROJECT COMPONENT NO.6:

Integration of the GAD Perspective in Civil Service Examinations

Test item writers who are composed of TDD staff shall initially undergo a capability-building exercise on GAD perspective to aid them in the construction, development and review of test items. Succeeding activities shall see the conduct of a series of briefing sessions for Test Consultants or Special Examiners to be undertaken by TDD staff.