No 2: Staff

The parliamentary administration has an adequate number of professional staff providing high-quality expert support to parliament. 

No 1: Scope and organization

Rules, service charters or guides outline the scope and organization of the expert support available to MPs. Standards of service delivery are specified and monitored through agreed quality-control procedures.

Based on a global comparative analysis, an aspiring goal for parliaments in the area of “expert support” is as follows:

The parliamentary administration provides MPs with expert support in all areas of their work, including by:

  • assisting on matters of business and procedure 
  • organizing plenary sessions and committee meetings
  • producing policy analysis and research papers 
  • providing services such as library and information support, communications and public relations, and financial administration.

The parliamentary administration provides this support in a non-partisan manner to all MPs, regardless of political affiliation.

Standards of service delivery are specified, quality control processes are in place and support services are tailored to MPs’ needs. 

No 4: Training and specialization

The parliamentary administration has a professional development framework for parliamentary staff, which includes training and specialization in specific areas, and which recognizes the unique skills and capabilities required. 

No 3: Recruitment and advancement

Rules and procedures determined by parliament are in place for the recruitment and advancement of parliamentary staff. Parliamentary staff are recruited and promoted through fair and open competition, based on merit, without political involvement. 

No 2: Processes

Processes are in place for planning, performance management and reporting. Clear job descriptions are also in place, along with details of salaries, benefits and other performance incentives. Human resources are sufficient to support all aspects of parliamentary business.

No 1: Policies

Clear human resource policies are established, implemented and regularly reviewed to support the effective management of parliamentary staff. These policies govern the recruitment and retention of parliamentary staff, as well as disciplinary procedures, ethical conduct, working hours and leave allocations. 

Based on a global comparative analysis, an aspiring goal for parliaments in the area of “human resource management” is as follows:

The parliamentary administration has sufficient human resources to be able to fulfil its mandate.

There are processes and procedures in place for the planning, allocation and assessment of the staff needed to support parliamentary business.

The following principles are applied to the recruitment and advancement of parliamentary staff:

  • Parliamentary staff should be recruited and promoted through fair and open competition, based on merit.
  • Appointments should not be based on personal or partisan political considerations.
  • MPs and/or political staff should only be involved in the recruitment and career advancement of parliamentary staff in exceptional circumstances, usually in relation to the most senior positions.
  • Recruitment should be conducted with the aim of ensuring so far as possible that parliamentary staff as a body represent the range of people who are citizens of the country.

Clear policies govern disciplinary procedures, ethical conduct, working hours and leave allocations for parliamentary staff. The implementation of these policies is reviewed regularly.

The parliamentary administration has a professional development framework for parliamentary staff.
 

No 5: Performance

The parliamentary administration constantly and proactively seeks to improve its support and services, taking into account feedback from MPs and the public. The performance of the parliamentary administration should be audited regularly, by either internal or external auditors.

No 4: Reporting

The parliamentary administration reports regularly to parliament on its work and performance, either in a stand-alone report or as part of regular parliamentary performance reporting.  

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