Under USAID’s Municipal Governance Assistance Program a workshop was organized June 6, 2006 by the State University of New York at Albany/Center for Legislative Development (SUNY/CLD) for finance, administrative, and human resource managers of ten major municipalities that are utilizing the Personnel Management System (PMS) developed by SUNY/CLD: Beirut, Baabda, Beit Meri, Borj Hammoud, Jel El Dib, Jounieh, Tripoli, Mina, Saida, and Zahleh.

In his opening remarks, SUNY/CLD Country Director Mahmoud Batlouni detailed the importance of the system and the related standardized procedures in enhancing municipal capacities in terms of human resource management. Workshop participants were provided an overview of the PMS that includes a payroll component directly linked to the main system, and were given the opportunity to discuss specific municipal needs and issues of concern.

Already implemented at the Civil Service Board, the Court of Audit, and the Central Inspection Board, agencies responsible for the judicial and financial oversight of some large municipalities, the PMS contains protocols that allow electronic sharing of information and therefore standardization of personnel data amongst institutions. Municipalities using the system and procedures are better able to comply with regulations and with reporting requirements, can achieve greater efficiency and accuracy in the preparation of payroll, and have access to statistical information for planning, creating a dynamic that encourages a more transparent and modern institutional environment.

Participants were invited to develop and submit brief proposals for improving the work processes and the system at the conclusion of the workshop, proposals that will be considered in developing future system enhancements and work procedures.