About DHRMD

Establishment of DHRMD

DHRMD is a central government agency that is mandated under the Public Service Act, 1994, to manage the Public Service in Malawi. In this regard, the Department of Human Resource Management and Development (DHRMD) has the overall responsibility of administering and managing the Public Service on behalf of the Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC).

Thus DHRMD plays a central role in institutional design and development, Human Resource Policy development and review, and advisory service provisions to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on public service management in general.

Our Vision & Mission

Our Mandate

DHRMD's mandate as stipulated in Section 19 of the Public Service Act, 1994 is:

1. To effectively and judiciously administer the provisions of the Act;
2. To develop, review and maintain public service policy;
3. To continuously examine public service-related needs and priorities at various levels of the administration of government and assess the relevance and effectiveness of current administrative instruments of the public service with a view to recommending appropriate measures;
4. To develop and maintain sound and effective public service systems and practices appropriate to the requirements of Malawi;
5. To periodically review the extent of decentralization or delegation of authority necessary for efficient and effective performance of the public service; and
6. To develop, introduce and judiciously administer public service conditions of service, codes of ethics, precedents and norms to ensure that the service integrity, staff morale and welfare, and the overall performance of the public service continuously remain high.

Operational Responsibilities

Functionally, DHRMD's operational responsibilities include:

1. Human Resource Planning and Development
2. Human Resource Complement and Grading
3. Human Resource Management
4. Performance Management
5. Quality and Productivity Improvement
6. Human Resource Policy Research Analysis and Development
7. Management Information Services
8. Management of the HRMIS
9. Human Resource Rationalization
10. Direction, Coordination, and Control of Professional, Technical, and Administrative functions
11. Management of HR, Finances, Materials, Supplies, and Equipment
12. Liaison with National, Regional, and International Agencies
13. Submission of Periodic Reports

Strategic Alignment with MW2063

As encapsulated in the MW2063, Government of Malawi recognizes that the successful achievement of the national development agenda depends on having a globally competitive workforce, and in particular, an efficient and effective public service. The quality and adequacy of human resources is very critical to that end.

Therefore, from time-to-time DHRMD seeks to align the capacity of the public service, human resource inclusive, with the country's development demands. The human resource alignment is considered central as it is the 'facilitator' and it can only be realistic if the country has a comprehensive understanding of its human resource needs vis-à-vis the national development goals.

Apart from having an adequate human resource capacity, there is also need to nurture and institutionalize a highly motivated, result-oriented and productive public service in order to enhance public sector performance.

Governance & Structure

DHRMD operations are led by the Secretary for Human Resource Management and Development (SHRMD), the highest-ranking executive post in the Department who has overall responsibility over its strategic leadership, control and performance management.

The SHRMD plays an oversight role by ensuring that the institution maintains effective, efficient and transparent systems in managing its financial, material and human resources as expected by the public. SHRMD is also the point of contact and communication between OPC, MDAs and the public.

Currently, DHRMD has three main divisions (headed by directors) namely: Human Resource Management Division, Management Services Division, and Management Information System Division.

Organization Structure

The present Organization Structure for DHRMD is as depicted below:

Our Core Values