Administrative and Human Resource Capabilities
Administrative
Restructuring
Information Technology Resources
Human Resource Development
Administrative Restructuring
Since assistance to the Lebanese Parliament first began in 1994 the Center has
utilized comprehensive strategies to enhance administrative capabilities, in
order to ultimately enhance the legislative effectiveness of Parliament. Based
on the recommendations of participants in a workshop organized in August of
1998 entitled ‘The Structure of the Lebanese Parliament’, the Center
conducted a study of the administrative structure of Parliament designed to
identify inefficiencies in terms of both processes and staffing, as well as
opportunities given existing capacities.
The study was initiated with a review of LP bylaws incorporating as appropriate
relevant information obtained from the workshop. Based on the prevailing
structure, a functional organizational chart and complete job descriptions were
developed and reviewed with parliamentary officials. Several major problems
were identified including the following:
• Duplication of responsibilities amongst staff
• Employees working outside the scope of their positions and/or departments
• Lack of employee information
Following extensive consultations and deliberations with various parliamentary
groups, a proposal for administrative restructuring of Parliament was developed
and was officially adopted for use in February of 2000.
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Information Technology Resources
A cornerstone of the assistance program is to modernize administrative,
financial, and legislative practices through the use of information technology.
In order to enable Parliament staff to easily obtain, share, and distribute
information, an information technology infrastructure was needed. Computers,
peripheral equipment, and a local area network (LAN) were provided and
customized software applications were developed to facilitate management of
human resources, and the legislative and budget review processes. Communication
solutions were also implemented in order to enhance both internal access to
information as well as relations with both the media and the general public.
After an extensive development period the Personnel and Payroll Management
System was installed in Parliament in January of 2001. Parliamentary
staff members are now able to maintain information related to the management of
personnel including detailed personal data as well as work-related information
such as job history and education, payroll information including vacation and
sick leave, job titles and descriptions, and departmental job openings. The
payroll component of the system is utilized by the General Directorate of
Administration and Finance of Parliament in preparing the payroll.
In addition to the information technology infrastructure created for the LP,
customized applications for Parliament have been developed and staff training
has been provided in the use of the systems. One of the first tools provided to
Parliament was the Legal Reference Database, a compilation of all laws,
amendments, and modifications dating from 1920. Specialized applications
created to enhance legislative and budget review capacities, as well as further
constituent relations, include the Bill
Tracking System, the Document
Archiving System, the Electronic
Voting and Sound System, and the National
Budget Analysis System. A
Media and
Communication Network has also been installed in the Parliament.
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Human Resource Development
Since 1994 more than 100 parliamentary staff have received training in basic
computer skills with advanced training courses organized for selected employees
covering Internet fundamentals, website design, Microsoft Access 2000, and the
use of the customized software applications. Training has also been provided in
the use of updated versions of the Legal Reference Database. In
addition, several parliamentary staff members were sent to New York to obtain
instruction in the technical upkeep of the Electronic Voting and Sound System.
Employees have also been provided training in the technical maintenance of
computer equipment,
In order to ensure that the administrative restructuring proposal adopted by
Parliament was successfully implemented, special training sessions designed to
enhance skills in communication, office management, planning, research, and
stress management were conducted in the spring of 2001 for more than 50
employees. Committee secretaries and department heads also attended sessions on
basic administrative principles, program planning and organization, leadership
skills, meeting management, and the importance of motivation and supervision.
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