The 2022 Audit Service Report has stated that, con-compliance with existing Human Resource Policy Section 3.3.1 of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) Human Resource Policy requires that vacancies from Grade 7 and above will be advertised internally and externally to attract the best possible candidates for the position and encourage an open competition.
However, the report says, the above condition should only applicable after thorough needs assessment have been done for the position, and the authority then, to recruit is sought.
The report further says that, vacancies for positions below the above-mentioned levels may be advertised first internally, but if no suitable candidate is found, external candidates will be invited to apply.
According to the 2022 Audit Service report, this requirement was not met in 2022 as salaries totaling SLE 1,913,138.79 were paid to 42 staff recruited by the Commission without a “single evidence” traced for their recruiting procedures whether followed or not.
Procedures such as needs assessments, advertisement for the vacant positions, application letters, and evidence of interviews conducted, attendance register of panelist and applicants, and selection report were never said to be done.
The report recommended that the Acting Director of Human Resources should submit the relevant documentary evidence in support of the findings.
The report said official Response stated that, “We note your comments on the findings regarding the non-compliance with recruitment processes. “However, we wish to advise that in a meeting held by the PSC in February 2022, the following resolutions were taken while the seven volunteering staff be employed on permanent basis with the Parliamentary Service Commission, the Clerk of Parliament used “head-hunting” approach to replace staff within the grades of 2-6 that have resigned/retired/terminated from the Service.”
The report said the Minutes Paper evidencing the approval of the PSC is available for inspection.
In relation to the recruitment of eight staff of grades 7 and above, the Director of Human Resources, submitted a document captioned, “Minutes Paper” which stated that the Commission should regularize the status of the volunteers.
However, the report said, further that section 3.3.1 of the Parliamentary Service Commission HR Policy requires needs assessment and advertisement for the recruitment of staff of grades 7 and other above criteria, to be done.
The ASSL report said, evidence of these documents were not submitted during verification.
The report continues that, the issue remains unresolved, adding that, on general observations even though the Parliamentary Service Commission had budget provisions for printing and stationery, it observed that there was no payment to the Public Accounts Committee for the printing of its Annual Report on hearings held on the Auditor-General’s Report in 2022.
The report stated that that had prevented the citizens from knowing whether actions were taken on audit recommendations made to clients.