2017-2018 Audit Plan
The Public Service Commission's approach to oversight of the federal public service staffing system
To enable the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) accountability to Parliament for the integrity of the staffing system, the PSC has implemented a preventive system-wide approach to oversight, based on early identification of risk and focused on core requirements. This approach will allow for timely interventions to the staffing system, while preserving deputy head discretion to adapt staffing strategies to their organizational context.
System-wide staffing audit
Conducted every two years and alternating with the Staffing and Non-partisanship Survey, to obtain a better view of system-wide performance, while reducing effort required by participating organizations. Findings and recommendations stemming from the audit will be shared broadly to increase awareness of risks and potential solutions.
Risk-based audits
Conducted when deemed necessary by the Public Service Commission (PSC), including:
- Horizontal: Audits to examine a systemic risk across government organizations to determine whether additional support is needed
- Organizational: Audits in a specific organization to determine whether additional support is needed
Redesigned “Staffing and Non-partisanship Survey”
To collect information from stakeholders on their experience and perceptions of staffing and non-partisanship.
PSC investigations
The PSC conducts investigations, as needed, on the following:
- external appointment processes where an appointment or proposed appointment may not have been made on the basis of merit or where possible errors, omissions or improper conduct occurred;
- internal appointment processes, at the request of a deputy head, where possible errors, omissions or improper conduct occurred; and
- any appointment processes in which political influence or fraud is suspected. The PSC also investigates allegations of improper political activities by public servants.
Political activities and non-partisanship
The PSC renders decisions regarding permission to seek nomination, and be a candidate in, federal, provincial, territorial and municipal elections, as well as a leave of absence without pay, if applicable. It also provides guidance, information and tools to employees regarding their legal rights and responsibilities related to political activities and non-partisanship.
The PSC supports organizations through a modernized approach to providing advice, offering comprehensive and timely staffing-related information and regular engagement.
Staffing support advisors
The PSC has dedicated resources that provide organizations with ongoing staffing advice and support.
Support for ongoing improvement
Data and information provided to organizations to improve the performance of the staffing system. Tools and products include:
- Staffing assessments
An informal assessment of an organization’s staffing system and key steps in their appointment processes to support learning and capacity building. - Effectiveness and Efficiency Projects (EEPs)
Fact-based analyses that support continuous improvement at the system-wide level. - Staffing dashboard
Provides organizations with a snapshot of data on staffing activities.
In the previous year, we developed new methodologies and launched new oversight tools to inform the PSC and organizations on areas for improvement in the staffing system and to allow for timely interventions such as adjustments to the Appointment Policy and Appointment Delegation and Accountability Instrument, improved program delivery and timely communication to stakeholders.
Audit activities 2017-2018
System-wide staffing audit – pilot (underway)
The PSC will obtain information on the integrity of staffing at a system-wide level (core requirements), gather information on the implementation of the New Direction in Staffing (staffing environment) and identify possible areas for improvement.
Horizontal risk-based audit: educational credentials (underway)
This audit will review current practices in organizations related to validating educational credentials and determine whether these practices are adequate and effective. The results from this audit will determine the prevalence of incidences where educational credentials or professional certifications could not be validated and will also yield useful information for organizations to guide decisions on risks and controls.
Collaborative audit with Environment and Climate Change Canada (completed)
This collaborative audit will support learning through the sharing of information and will build capacity on the PSC’s Appointment Policy requirements. The PSC will collaborate with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to determine whether recommendations from the PSC's 2011 audit have been implemented, determine whether key elements of ECCC's staffing system are in place to manage appointment activities and whether ECCC appointments are in compliance with the Public Service Employment Act, the PSC's Appointment Framework and ECCC's own appointment policies.
Other oversight activities 2017-2018
Staffing assessments of the Public Health Agency of Canada and Canada Border Services Agency (completed)
Informal assessments of the organization’s staffing system and appointment processes to identify strengths and potential areas for improvement and to support learning and capacity building.
The PSC may also conduct other oversight activities, as deemed necessary, or at the request of a deputy head.