Five pillars of a modern, effective civil service
The research, conducted by the Global Government Forum, highlights the growing challenges civil servants face, including strained relationships with ministers amid populist politics, making it difficult to speak truth to power. The findings emphasize the importance of strong leadership, digital service delivery, and workforce development to navigate these complexities.
Interviews with 12 senior civil service leaders from around the world revealed that officials are increasingly caught between ministers’ demands for quick political fixes and their own responsibilities to serve the long-term interests of the public. Compounding these challenges are global pressures such as post-Covid economic recovery, climate change, and shifting demographics, which are pushing public services to their limits.
The report outlines five essential pillars for a modern civil service: fostering strong leadership with ministerial alignment, building a highly skilled and inclusive workforce, embracing agile and digital cultures, breaking down organisational silos, and earning public trust. These elements are seen as critical for ensuring government effectiveness in an era of unprecedented challenges.