Public administrations—the organizations and workers in the executive arm of governments, from ministries down to schools and hospitals—are critical in shaping policy, implementing government functions and ensuring the delivery of essential services to citizens. From enforcing regulations to managing finances and infrastructure, public administrations are at the frontline of addressing pressing global issues such as climate change, pandemics, and restoring public trust in governance.
Activity areas
The Global Program aims to provide analytical and thought leadership to advance public administration reforms in the areas of improving government organizational structures for policymaking and implementation; public sector employment and compensation; the management of the public sector workforce; and the use of GovTech, both in digital systems, and in enabling reforms around building digital skills and an organizational culture of innovation. The specific activity areas are:
1. Improving global and country-specific data: The Program develops cross-national and country-specific datasets on public administration that will assist the World bank Group, development partners, researchers, and policymakers answer questions about the affordability of the wage bill, the design of compensation and employment policies, and the drivers of motivation and productivity of the public sector workforce.
2. Knowledge and public goods: The Program supports establishing online repositories, knowledge platforms, and communities of practice dedicated to public administration reform, where stakeholders can access, share, and discuss relevant research findings, case studies, and practical insights. The Program also collaborates with leading academic institutions, think tanks, and research organizations to produce research papers, academic journals, and policy debates on critical issues related to public administration reform.
3. Operational engagements on data-informed reform: The Program supports a growing number of public administration reform projects, both lending and technical assistance, as well as supporting operational work within sectors. These engagements focus on public sector modernization to improve key economic and welfare outcomes, combining reforms of government structures, public sector workforce management, the deployment of Gov Tech, and skills development.
4. Convening: Utilizing the influence of the World Bank, the Program engages with Global Partners, encompassing government entities, development organizations, businesses, educational institutions, and non-governmental organizations, to foster a diverse coalition in backing reform efforts.
