(a) What is civil service? (b) Explain the structure of the civil service.

Answer Details

(a) Meaning of Civil Service

The civil service is the body of permanent, non-political employees of government, organised into ministries and departments, whose duty is to formulate and implement the policies and programmes of the government of the day. Its members are appointed on merit, are politically neutral, and remain in office irrespective of the political party in power. They serve any duly constituted government with equal loyalty.

(b) Structure of the Civil Service

The civil service is hierarchically organised into ministries and departments, each with a graded chain of command:

• Minister/Commissioner: The political head of a ministry, appointed by the President or Governor. He gives political direction and answers for the ministry in the legislature, but is not a career civil servant.
• Permanent Secretary: The administrative and professional head of the ministry. He is a career civil servant, the chief accounting officer, and adviser to the minister; he ensures continuity of administration.
• Directors: Senior officers who head the various directorates or divisions within the ministry and supervise the professional and technical work.
• Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors: Middle-level managers who coordinate the departments and units under each directorate.
• Principal, Senior and other Officers: These execute the day-to-day work of the units.
• Junior/Clerical and Auxiliary staff: Typists, clerks, messengers and other support staff who carry out routine duties.

The whole service is regulated and controlled by the Civil Service Commission, which handles recruitment, promotion and discipline, and every ministry is grouped by function (for example Ministries of Finance, Education, Health, Works, Foreign Affairs).